Check the Difference Between Not Voting and Not Casting a Ballot: Who Loses Political Rights?

According to a Thairath Poll survey on political party popularity and prime ministerial candidates from the perspective of Thairath Online readers in November 2025, conducted between 4 Nov and 15 Nov 2025 with over 36,000 respondents, the popularity scores for individuals and parties still significantly favor the People's Party. However, the proportion of those undecided and not choosing any candidate remains considerably high.

Many people may wonder what to do if they do not want to vote for anyone. Between “sleeping on your rights” by staying home and “going out to mark the ballot as not choosing any candidate,” the outcomes differ completely, both legally and symbolically in politics. Today, Thairath Online summarizes everything clearly in one place.

What is the difference between “not going to vote” and “not casting a ballot”?

From a legal and democratic perspective, the intentions behind these two behaviors affect your status and election results differently, as follows:

1. Not going to vote (sleeping on your rights)

This means an eligible voter does not appear at the polling station and has not notified any valid reason before or after the election.

• Statistical effect: counted among “non-voters,” which reduces the total vote base.
• Legal effect: "loses political rights" as prescribed by law.

2. Not casting a ballot (voting no)

This means going to the polling station, verifying identity, receiving the ballot, and marking the box for “no candidate chosen.”

• Statistical effect: counted as a “valid vote” in the category of not choosing any candidate, expressing pure rejection of the available options.
• Legal effect: “does not lose any rights” because it is considered fulfilling constitutional duty.

Listing: What political rights are lost by not going to vote?

According to the Organic Act on MP Elections, if you do not vote and fail to notify a valid reason, you will be restricted from certain rights for 2 years (counted from the date of the missed election), as follows:

• Lose the right to file election complaints regarding MPs.
• Lose the right to run for election as an MP, local council member, local executive, or senator.
• Lose the right to run for the positions of village headman and village chief.
• Lose the right to hold political civil servant positions and political parliamentary civil servant positions.
• Lose the right to hold deputy local executive positions, local executive secretaries, or advisors.

In summary, if you do not like any candidate, going out to “not cast a ballot” or “vote no” appears to be the most meaningful and safest choice. It reflects your true demand to the system and helps you keep important political rights that you may need in the future.