Bangkok: The Director of the Bangkok Election Commission has expressed confidence that residents will not be confused about holding the election simultaneously with the referendum. Registration for parliamentary candidates in all 33 constituencies will proceed as planned, with campaign sign placement guidelines remaining consistent with those used in the 2023 election. Campaign vehicles will be allowed on registration day, but entertainment events are prohibited.
According to Thai News Agency, Sub-Lieutenant Sampan Saengkhamlert, Director of the Bangkok Election Commission, outlined the preparations for opening registration for parliamentary elections in all 33 Bangkok constituencies. The commission has been actively publicizing the registration process to various political parties, allowing prospective candidates to check their qualifications. Inquiries are being made periodically, with checks conducted regarding party membership and any potential disqualifications of candidates. Some candidates have already submitted supporting documents for verification. The registration venue will be set up on December 25th, and on December 26th, a briefing meeting will be held at the Thai-Japanese Stadium 2 in Din Daeng to clarify procedures for the registration committee.
Registration for Bangkok MPs will be held for all 33 districts at the same location, with potential supporters present. Guidelines on campaigning methods and prohibited activities have been coordinated and publicized. Campaign vehicles are permitted, but entertainment and festivities are not. Campaign sign installation is being coordinated with various agencies, following the 2023 guidelines. Candidates will be notified of designated campaign sign locations once approved by the Bangkok Election Commission Director. Incorrectly placed signs will result in notification to the candidate for correction, with removal costs charged if not addressed.
On December 24th, some permitted campaign sign locations in Bangkok will be announced, with further updates provided by relevant agencies. Candidates will receive information via a QR code on registration day, with additional announcements added to the database, according to Acting Sub-Lieutenant Sampan.
Public complaints about the inability to register for advance voting were also addressed by Acting Sub-Lieutenant Sampan, attributing the issue to smartphone compatibility. The office is working on a resolution, with the Secretary-General of the Election Commission urging urgent action. The issue is expected to be resolved shortly.
Acting Sub-Lieutenant Sampan expressed concerns about potential rain disrupting the dual-stage voting process, involving both parliamentary elections and a referendum. Voters will need to identify themselves in two stages, with a single entry and exit point designed to prevent confusion. Despite these concerns, he is confident in the system's effectiveness and believes any minor issues can be resolved. He anticipates voter turnout to surpass the previous estimate of 70%.
A meeting involving 280 committee members will be held at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Office 2 to emphasize key points. Public announcements will be sent to approximately 450 agencies, encouraging voter participation. A six-week democracy program with various activities will be implemented in schools and networks. Personnel are fully prepared, and the timeframe for each election is considered adequate.
Sub-Lieutenant Sampan also mentioned that referendum voting outside the electoral district will occur on February 8, 2026, without advance voting. Separate polling stations will be set up for out-of-district voting in each district, initially using locations from the advance voting on February 1, 2026.