Hundreds of votes shift in Suphan Buri recount

2026-02-28 - 03:13

Suphan Buri recount reveals vote discrepancies SUPHAN BURI — 28 February 2026, Thailand’s Election Commission has confirmed discrepancies after ordering a recount in five polling stations across two constituencies in Suphan Buri province, officials said. The decision followed complaints submitted to the provincial Election Commission regarding alleged irregularities in the advance polling on 1 February 2026 and election day on 8 February 2026 general election for members of the House of Representatives. Komkrit Thipsomboon, director of the Election Commission of Thailand office in Suphan Buri, said the commission reviewed reports from provincial and Bangkok officials as well as media coverage and objections concerning the conduct of polling station and counting committees. Allegations included incomplete posting of candidate lists, reading out votes without clearly displaying ballot papers, marking tallies without transparency and announcing excess votes. The commission resolved to order a recount at five polling stations to ensure a fair and lawful process and to maintain public confidence. The recount covered two constituency-based polling stations in Constituency 2 — Station 1 in Bang Ta Then subdistrict and Station 4 in Ban Chang subdistrict, both in Song Phi Nong district — and three party-list polling stations: Station 11 in Sanam Chai subdistrict, Mueang Suphan Buri district (Constituency 1); Station 1 in Bang Ta Then subdistrict (Constituency 2); and Station 4 in Ongkharak subdistrict, Bang Pla Ma district (Constituency 2). Recounts were held on 27 February 2026 at 10:00 in Constituency 1 at the auditorium of Kansut Sueksa School, and at 09.00 in Constituency 2 at district offices in Bang Pla Ma and Song Phi Nong. In the party-list recount at Station 11 in Constituency 1, observers from political parties monitored proceedings alongside local officials and police. Results showed minor discrepancies. The Bhumjaithai Party gained one vote, increasing from 178 to 179, while the People’s Party fell from 248 to 246. Other parties’ totals remained unchanged. In Constituency 2, party-list recounts also found discrepancies. At Station 4 in Ongkharak subdistrict, two ballots previously deemed valid were reclassified as invalid. At Station 1 in Bang Ta Then subdistrict, the total rose from 198 votes in the initial count to 233 after the recount. Significant differences were also recorded in the constituency-based vote at Station 1 in Bang Ta Then subdistrict, Constituency 2. Nusara Srisangngam of the People’s Party saw her tally increase from 104 to 228 votes. Naphatsorn Chatchawalanon of the Palawat Party remained at three votes. Chaiporn Sithan of the Pheu Thai Party rose from 27 to 29. Krit Sapprasert of the Democrat Party increased from three to four votes. Natthawut Prasertsuwan of the Bhumjaithai Party dropped sharply from 427 to 263 votes. Samphan Srisangngam of the Setthakit Party remained at nine votes, while Phongphichan Damapong of the Kla Tham Party rose from 46 to 55. Invalid ballots at the station increased from seven to 23, while ballots marked as no vote rose from six to 55 after the recount, officials said.