The Election Commission, Royal Thai Police, Thai Post, and the Consular Department are advancing their mission for the 2026 elections and referendum, stressing that every process is transparent and fully verifiable, while maintaining strict control over all transportation routes.
The Election Commission of Thailand (EC), in cooperation with the Thai Post Company Limited, the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Thai Police, has announced readiness for the 2026 parliamentary elections and referendum. They are jointly undertaking the transportation of election documents and ballots, and have established a coordination center for ballot transport to facilitate operations for the EC and related agencies.
Mr. Sa-nga Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC), revealed that for the 2026 parliamentary elections and referendum, there are 2,410,425 registered early voters: 2,262,643 registered outside their electoral districts, 8,247 within their districts, and 139,535 abroad. Meanwhile, the total number registered for the referendum outside their voting districts and abroad is 1,598,056, including 1,502,390 outside their voting districts and 95,666 abroad. The EC has prepared thoroughly in terms of laws, regulations, and operational guidelines, emphasizing accuracy, transparency, and verifiability at every step to build public and societal confidence.
Regarding the transportation of ballots domestically and internationally, the EC has assigned Thai Post to handle delivery of early voting ballots within the country and abroad, along with all related documents throughout the election period. Thai Post is also tasked with collecting and transporting completed early voting ballots for processing. Additionally, it supports the delivery of important information and documents to households nationwide to ensure comprehensive voter awareness. For security, the EC coordinates closely with the Royal Thai Police to oversee the safe transport of ballots and key documents, implementing control and inspection mechanisms at every stage to ensure thorough operations and minimize risks that could disrupt the election process.
Mr. Mangkon Prathumkaew, Director-General of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that for the 2026 parliamentary elections and referendum, the Consular Department has systematically prepared for early voting abroad by dispatching blank ballots and referendum materials to embassies, consulates-general, and Thai trade and economic offices in 67 countries and 95 cities worldwide. This ensures Thai citizens overseas can exercise their voting rights comprehensively. The department has instructed these offices to actively promote clear information on dates, times, locations, and voting channels. Meanwhile, the Consular Department prioritizes controlling procedures and timelines for returning completed ballots safely to Thailand, coordinating secure transport to hand them over to Thai Post for processing before final counting by the EC within the prescribed timeframe.
“The Consular Department is confident that this overseas early voting will meet the standards and guidelines set by the EC. We have developed a tracking and reporting system for the operations of embassies, consulates-general, and Thai trade and economic offices worldwide, enabling continuous and close monitoring of ballot dispatch progress. This application of technology supports the election process and helps enhance transparency and trust among Thai citizens abroad.”
Police Lieutenant General Udon Yomjaroen, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, said that the Royal Thai Police have been assigned to ensure election operations proceed safely and peacefully. They have prepared over 126,000 personnel and established security measures covering ballot transport, maintaining order in operational areas, and ensuring safety at polling stations nationwide. This includes overseeing and guarding ballot and referendum material transport inside and outside the kingdom, both for early voting inside and outside districts and general ballots, at every stage. Particularly, security during receipt, transport, and delivery of documents is arranged in convoys comprising lead vehicles, transport vehicles, and tail vehicles, with police officers accompanying all routes. Measures are also in place to prevent and respond to any incidents that could affect the election process.
All police officers have been instructed to perform their duties with caution, neutrality, and strict adherence to the law, coordinating closely with related agencies to prevent disturbances or risks that might threaten public order and to maintain confidence in the country's democratic process.
/ Mr. Danan Supattapan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thai Post Company Limited, stated that Thai Post, as the nation's primary communication and transportation agency, is ready to support the 2026 parliamentary elections and referendum. Thai Post has been assigned by the EC to undertake five key transportation tasks: 1) Deliver voter registration notifications (form S.S.1/6), candidate information documents, referendum voter notifications (form R.S.2/8), and draft constitution information; 2) Deliver election and referendum ballots, blank ballots, and related materials to 400 electoral districts and early voting units; 3) Transport overseas referendum and election ballots, both blank and completed, to and from abroad; 4) Transport and sort completed early ballots from outside electoral districts; and 5) Deliver and collect household notifications for early voting registration inside and outside districts. Thai Post has also established a "Coordination Center for Transport of Parliamentary Election and Referendum Ballots 2026" at its headquarters to operate and monitor transport activities 24 hours a day.
Moreover, Thai Post has prepared personnel, vehicles, facilities, and technology to support the transportation of ballots and referendum materials in 2026. Staff will operate around the clock, with over 600 vehicle trips scheduled to distribute ballots and equipment to 400 electoral districts nationwide, including transporting overseas early voting ballots to destinations where Thai residents live worldwide.
“For the 2026 elections, Thai Post will begin dispatching voter registration notifications (form S.S.1/6) and referendum information to over 19 million households nationwide, alongside sending overseas early voting ballots to 67 countries and 95 cities via scheduled air transport. Thai Post has also prepared ground transport systems to support early voting within the country across all 77 provinces. After early voting concludes, we will expedite transporting completed ballots from both inside and outside electoral districts for sorting and delivery to the EC. Personnel will operate 24/7 using no fewer than 600 transport trips to ensure every ballot reaches its destination accurately, securely, and within the legally mandated timeframe.” Dr. Danan concluded.
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