What Is Voting Outside Your Registered Area in the Referendum? Key Points Before Voting on Constitutional Amendments and Legality of Not Voting

Answers to what voting outside your registered area in the referendum means, how it differs from electing members of parliament, and whether not voting affects your political rights. A clear summary to help you understand and get ready to register.

Recently, the movement to amend the constitution has gained momentum, and the term "referendum voting" is frequently heard. Especially for those living far from their registered home, it's important to understand "voting outside the registered area in the referendum." We've summarized what it is, why it matters, and the impact if you choose not to vote. After reading, you'll understand immediately.

What is voting outside your registered area in the referendum?

A brief explanation. "Voting outside your registered province" is a special service from the Election Commission that allows people registered in one province but actually working, studying, or living in another to vote in their current province. This convenience saves people from spending time and money traveling back home just to cast one ballot, improves voter turnout, and ensures the public's voice is broadly represented.

How does a referendum differ from electing members of parliament?

Many confuse them because both use similar ballot methods, but their purposes are entirely different.

• Election: is choosing "people" (MPs, local officials, governors) to represent us.
• Referendum: is choosing "rules" or making major national decisions, such as whether to amend the constitution.

Therefore, voting in a referendum means you are not choosing a prime minister, but deciding what rules will govern the country moving forward.

Is it wrong not to vote in the referendum? Do you lose any rights?

This is a common question. Normally, if you skip voting in a general election, you lose political rights, such as being barred from running for office or holding political government positions.

However, according to the Referendum Act of 2021, voting is a "duty" of all Thai citizens, but currently, there are no clear penalties like loss of political rights for not voting in the referendum.

Nevertheless, even if legally you might not be disqualified from running for office, socially and politically, you lose a significant "opportunity," including:

• Losing the chance to shape the future: The constitution is the supreme law affecting everything from freedoms and welfare to political systems. If you don't vote, your voice disappears.
• Accepting others' decisions: Not voting means accepting the results chosen by others, whether you like them or not.

Why should you be alert about voting in the referendum?

This referendum in February 2026 is the key first step toward "overhauling the 2017 constitutional regime," a long-debated issue. If the referendum "passes," a constitution drafting assembly (CDA) will be formed to write new rules. If it "fails" or turnout is too low to be legitimate, the existing rules will remain.

If you know for sure you cannot return to your registered home on 8 February 2026, it is recommended to register for out-of-area referendum voting between 3–5 January 2026, to vote on the same day as the election.