The Royal Thai Police recommend a checklist of five items "Prohibitions" before entering polling stations for the Bangkok Governor and Pattaya Mayor elections on 28 June, aimed at preventing legal offenses.
On 26 June 2026, Police Major General Siriwat Deepho, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, stated that Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, is concerned about citizens potentially violating election laws during the upcoming Bangkok Governor and Pattaya Mayor elections on 28 June 2026. Some citizens and business operators may unknowingly or intentionally break the law, leading to criminal charges with penalties including imprisonment, fines, and possibly disenfranchisement.
The Royal Thai Police therefore warn residents and business owners in Bangkok and Pattaya to strictly comply with the law to prevent violations during the election period as follows:
1. "No vote buying or selling" Giving money, property, or any other benefits in exchange for voting or abstaining from voting for any candidate severely undermines democracy. This offense violates the Local Council or Local Executive Election Act B.E. 2562 (2019), Section 65 in conjunction with Section 126, punishable by imprisonment from 1 to 10 years, or fines ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 baht, or both, and disenfranchisement for 20 years.
2. "Do not remove ballots from polling stations" Secretly taking ballots out of the polling station is illegal and may constitute election fraud. This violates the Local Council or Local Executive Election Act B.E. 2562, Section 85 in conjunction with Section 134, punishable by imprisonment up to 5 years, or a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both, and disenfranchisement for 10 years.
3. "No photographing marked ballots" Using mobile phones or any communication devices to photograph your marked ballot inside the voting booth is strictly prohibited. This violates the Local Council or Local Executive Election Act B.E. 2562, Section 87 in conjunction with Section 135, punishable by imprisonment up to 1 year, or a fine up to 20,000 baht, or both.
4. "Do not tear or damage ballots" Intentionally or negligently damaging, tearing, or defacing ballots is an offense under the Local Council or Local Executive Election Act B.E. 2562, Section 120, punishable by a fine not exceeding 5,000 baht.
5. "Prohibition on sale and serving of alcohol" No one is allowed to sell, distribute, or serve any type of alcoholic beverages within the election area from 18:00 on the day before the election (27 June 2026) until 18:00 on election day (28 June 2026). Violators face penalties under the Local Council or Local Executive Election Act B.E. 2562, Section 123, punishable by imprisonment up to 6 months, or a fine up to 10,000 baht, or both.
If citizens witness any election-related offenses, such as vote buying, illegal alcohol sales during the restricted period, disturbances to public order, or suffer damages, they can report tips to the hotline 191 or the Royal Thai Police hotline 1599, available 24 hours.