CityNews – Polling stations in Chiang Mai and other parts of Thailand will be opened by Democrats Abroad Thailand (DAT) to enable American residents in Thailand to cast their votes for their choice of US presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.
DAT voting stations in Chiang Mai will be set up at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre on March 2nd, from 4pm – 8pm, and at Payap University on March 5th, from 10am – 4pm.
The DAT will also set up other stations across the country, such as the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, local restaurants in Nichadathani in Nontaburi province and local pubs in Bangkok and Pattaya. A full list can be found at the bottom of this release.
“US Democrats’ Global President Primary offers a unique experience for Americans in Thailand to vote in person in a polling station and have their voice heard about who will lead our party into the general election in November,” said Phil Robertson, chairperson of Democrats Abroad Thailand (DAT). “This exciting race between Secretary Clinton and Senator Sanders that may well go right down the wire, and every vote will count – so people should come out and participate.”
Votes cast by Americans in Thailand will be counted as part of the global Democrats Abroad vote, with the winner – likely either Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or Senator Bernie Sanders – earning the support of Democrats Abroad’s 13 delegates to the Democratic National Convention that will take place this summer in Philadelphia. Since Democrats Abroad functions as a fully-fledged state party in the Democratic Party, participating in the Global Presidential Primary is just like voting back at home.
Polling is open to all American citizens residing in Thailand who have become members of Democrats Abroad Thailand. Joining DAT is free, and can be done in advance, or on the day of the polls. Those wishing to participate in the polling must show a US passport or other clear evidence of US citizenship. Americans can join DAT at www.democratsabroad.org/join
“Joining Democrats Abroad Thailand takes two minutes and is free, and it ensures that Americans in Thailand will have a say in what is happening back home,” said Robertson. “But more than that, by joining DAT, they become part of a community of energized Americans who care about issues but also know how to have fun events that celebrate the best of American camaraderie and democracy.”
Those Americans who live in parts of Thailand far from the DAT polling stations in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Chiang Mai or Pattaya, or for whatever reason cannot make it to the polls on the dates scheduled can still vote absentee in the primary. Doing so is easy. First, join DAT, and then download and vote the DA absentee ballot from here.
“Americans in Thailand should not miss this chance to vote and play their part in ensuring their preferred candidate hears from overseas Americans,” said Robertson. “Voting from overseas is quick and easy, and all American Democrats should turn out for this election.”
Overseas Americans can also register to vote for the general election in November 2016. Since the general election is run by the state governments in the US, voters wishing to vote must register directly with their home states, in line with state electoral laws. Democrats Abroad has made getting registered with your home state fast and easy with its website www.VoteFromAbroad.org which enables a person seeking to register to fill in information in 5 computer screens, produce a PDF document, and print and mail it to their registrar of voters in the home state – all in approximately 5 minutes.
For more information about Democrats Abroad Thailand, it is recommended that you contact [email protected] or call 085 0608406.
DAT Polling Stations
Chiang Mai
March 2, from 4 pm to 8 pm – Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center, Hai Ya Rd, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
March 5, from 10 am to 4 pm – Payap University, Sirindhorn Learning Resource Center, Mae Khao Campus, Chiang Mai-Lampang Highway, Muang district, Chiang Mai
Bangkok
March 2, from 4 pm to 8 pm – Nichada Club Restaurant, 39/999 Samakee Road, Bangtalard, Pakkret, Nonthaburi 11120
March 2, from 10:30 am to 7 pm – Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, Maneeya Tower, Ploenchit, Bangkok, Penthouse Floor (www.fcchthai.com)
March 3, from 4 pm to 8 pm – Nichada Club Restaurant, Nichada-thani, Nonthaburi
March 4, from 10:30 am to 7 pm – Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, Maneeya Plaza Building (Penthouse Floor), 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok
March 5, from 11 am to 6:30 pm – Roadhouse Barbecue, 942/1 Rama IV Road, Surawongse, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Pattaya and Eastern Seaboard
March 3, from 1 pm to 7 pm – Beertopia Co., (across from Mind Resort), 384/93 Moo 10, 3rd Road, Soi 17 (Soi Regional Land 2), Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chonburi