Last Saturday’s senate election made 4 March 2000 a historical date in Thai history books, as voters went to the polls for the first time to elect senators under the governance of the new constitution.

Eligible voters throughout Thailand took advantage of their right to participate in the election, turning out in record numbers at the 87,600 voting locations around the country.

Chonburi Province recorded a record 74% voter turn out, with voters standing in lines 100 meters long at some locations to wait for election officials to look up voter information.