In Surat Thani, police received reports of vote-buying and promptly sent forces to investigate. They encountered five men and women carrying bags who fled by vehicle, leaving behind four villagers and papers listing names. The provincial Election Commission director believes this is related to election law violations.
On 7 February 2026, reporters reported that yesterday (6 Feb) at 17:00, Police Colonel Sombat Chamsaeng, Deputy
Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, and Pol.Lt.Col. Panat Nilnawarat, Director of the Surat Thani Provincial Election Commission, jointly questioned witnesses summoned for investigation. Earlier at 13:30, the investigation team from Phunphin Police Station received a report of vote-buying at Soi Mung Pattana Soi 1 and proceeded to inspect a house there.
They found about five men and women carrying a bag running into a pickup truck and fleeing. At the house's front area, one man and three women were sitting at a stone and wood table. All were invited for questioning after papers listing house numbers, phone numbers, voting units, and constituencies were found.
Initial witness questioning revealed they were contacted by a political party’s vote organizer to record names of acquaintances and close contacts in exchange for 100 baht per name recorded and 1,000 baht for each vote cast.
One witness said that after learning neighboring districts had already received payments, they inquired yesterday. Today, a meeting was held to review the lists. The team that arrived was different from those who had previously contacted them but claimed to be staff. During the list review, they were told another team would bring money around 15:00. However, police arrived first and brought them in for questioning.
Pol.Lt.Col. Panat Nilnawarat, Director of the Surat Thani Provincial Election Commission, said that evidence seized by police included name lists and voting units but no information on the candidates or political parties involved. Nonetheless, it is believed to be connected to election law violations. Initially, a record was made as evidence, and the investigation team was tasked with coordinating with police to question the four individuals holding the lists to expand the inquiry into those involved in preparing illegal election activities.