Thailand votes in early election, constitution referendum

2026-02-08 - 04:56

Thailand is holding an early general election on 8 Febuary, with voters also taking part in a referendum on whether to draft a new constitution to replace the charter introduced after the 2017 coup. More than 50 political parties are contesting the polls, but only a few, notably the People’s Party, Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai are widely seen as having the nationwide support needed to form a government. Under the electoral system, the prime minister will be chosen by a majority vote of the 500 elected members of the House of Representatives. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party and its prime ministerial candidate, voted at Wat Thong Bang Chueak Nang polling station. He said he was confident voter turnout would exceed 70%, citing strong public interest during the campaign. Polls close at 17:00, and he urged voters to cast ballots in both the election and the referendum, saying the future of the country was “in the hands of the people”. Asked about election monitoring, Natthaphong said party teams had been deployed as observers throughout the day to help protect voters’ rights. He added there had been no reports of irregularities so far and encouraged election officials to ensure a transparent process. Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat voted with his wife and said he had completed all three ballots. He urged the public not to skip the referendum, calling it an important step toward change and describing the day as a lively moment for democracy. Privy councillor and former prime minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha also cast his vote at a polling station in Pradipat 5. He said the election and referendum were matters everyone must help safeguard and expressed hope that the process would lead to a government able to continue working effectively.