Bangkok: Government officials, village headmen, and sub-district chiefs are prohibited from collecting citizen identification cards for election purposes. The Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration has issued an urgent order prohibiting such actions, emphasizing strict legal consequences for violators.
According to Thai News Agency, on December 26, 2025, Mr. Narucha Khosasilvilai, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, sent an urgent letter to all provincial governors and the Permanent Secretary of Bangkok. The letter outlined measures to prevent and monitor the misuse of national identification cards for election fraud, stressing adherence to the prevention and suppression of election-related misconduct. This directive follows the Royal Decree dissolving the House of Representatives in 2025 and the Election Commission's designation of February 8, 2026, as the general election date.
The Department of Provincial Administration is committed to maintaining the integrity, fairness, and transparency of the electoral process, particularly in preventing the illegal use of national identification cards, which undermines democratic principles. The Director-General highlighted the importance of national identity cards as official documents for verifying identity in legal transactions and exercising rights. Any unauthorized possession or use of these cards is a legal violation.
To combat corruption and build public trust, Mr. Khosasilvilai instructed provinces and Bangkok to inform district offices, municipalities, and Pattaya City to enforce the following measures:
1. Subordinate officials, village headmen, and local leaders are instructed not to collect, store, possess, or safeguard others' national identification cards, nor use them to vote on behalf of others. They are also responsible for monitoring such activities in their areas.
2. Any suspected election fraud must be reported immediately to superiors, with evidence gathered for prosecution in accordance with the law.
3. The penalties outlined in the National Identity Card Act B.E. 2526 (1983) and the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives B.E. 2561 (2018) should be publicized to inform the public through all available media channels.
The National Identity Card Act B.E. 2526 (1983) specifies penalties for various offenses, including imprisonment and fines for using another's card, unlawfully possessing a card, or allowing fraudulent use of one's card. The Organic Law on the Election of Members of Parliament B.E. 2561 (2018) also prohibits using another's identity card to vote, with violators facing severe penalties, including imprisonment and revocation of voting rights.
The Director-General reaffirmed the commitment to taking decisive legal action against violators to uphold the sanctity of voting rights and maintain public confidence in the democratic process. This ensures that the electoral process remains honest, fair, and transparent.