This group came out in full force to demonstrate the power afforded them by democracy.

For the record, they trusted neither media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul nor the prime minister's former mentor, Chamlong Srimuang. They simply wanted to show their disapproval of the

caretaker government. Despite the barrage of mudslinging at those opposed to Thaksin Shinawatra, this powerful group of people remained unperturbed and went on to express its disdain for the ruling party.

Overnight, the usually highly confident caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin was dumfounded by the voice of Bangkokians and southerners. Despite putting on a brave face, the caretaker premier could not deny the explosion of public resentment.

As expected, Thai Rak Thai Party deputy leader Bhokin Bhalakula immediately blamed the media for its lack of support for the ruling party. Ironically, if not for the barricading of the Kom Chad Luek newspaper offices a few days before the poll, Thai Rak Thai might well have enjoyed more sympathy at the polls.

At the very least, swing voters living around the Nation Multimedia Group's Bang Na headquarters eventually sided with those boycotting the poll, after witnessing the belligerent mob's antics.

For months Thais have been extremely anxious about the prolonged political war, as the two opposing camps blasted away at each other with all available ammunition.

Never before has a political crisis caused such a rift in the country's social fabric. Friendships fell out and families engaged in heated arguments over contentious issues. Even the clergy locked horns. Contrary to the Buddhist emphasis on compassion, some harsh criticism of Thaksin emanated from the mouths of those in saffron robes.

On the other hand, the political crisis has created bonds among strangers while renewing friendships among old school pals, all of whom are uneasy with Thaksin as prime minister.

On the eve of the election, a flurry of SMS messages urging voters to use a pen to mark "no vote", rather than a rubber stamp, flooded across the country. This mode of communication, the last resort of ardent supporters of democracy, also brought to life old ties. People from different corners of the nation suddenly formed a silent alliance. They were united by their distrust of the government.

The overwhelming number of abstentions in Bangkok and the high number of ballots boycotting the election in Chiang Mai also underpinned the fact that people with access to information could not be easily fooled. Millions of these people might never have joined the Sondhi-Chamlong rallies, but they keep abreast of the situation, mainly via the Internet.

When the political turmoil began late last year, the public quickly became disillusioned with television broadcasts. Even at the height of the many political crises, most channels ignored what was happening and continued to feed viewers their usual staple of soap operas.

But thanks to a new era of information, a group of the like-minded continually exchanged e-mails, keeping up-to-date on the situation. Thais around the globe with an outside perspective shared information with the locals.

One can only hope these media will not become the next target of future governments in their attempts to exert control.

Meanwhile, in the South, politically active voters displayed strong sentiment against the Thaksin-led government.

Despite a dearth of Internet access upcountry, the message percolating through traditional networks was loud and clear - the election is a farce.

Southerners, known for their loyalty to the Democrat Party, were shocked when an aggressive mob in Chiang Mai attacked the party's leaders in the North.

Not surprisingly, southerners have shown the rest of the nation they disagree with the prevailing lack of checks and balances. Unlike their fellow countrymen in the North and the Northeast, southerners were not carried away with the hype surrounding the government's self-proclaimed economic progress. After all, southerners pride themselves on their political awareness.

But most importantly, they wanted to defend their territories from vote-buying, a shameful political ploy that had become rampant since the last election.

Their snub speaks volumes - the people of the South want it known they cannot be bought.

While Thaksin remains recalcitrant about the high proportion of abstentions, some of his leading members conceded that the party's popularity had plunged.

The confession by its members that Thai Rak Thai did not expect such a setback revealed the extent to which the party leader underestimated the silent power of voters. Stunned as he may have been, the caretaker premier should learn that despite appearances, not all is quiet on the polling front.

As for those behind the silent revolt, Sunday's election has rejuvenated their battered beliefs.

Now they can rest assured they are not alone.