Chaitawat and Doctor Keng lead the teams of candidates for Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai constituencies, confirming their full readiness to enter the election. Meanwhile, Julaphan leads PTP candidates in Chiang Mai in paying respects to sacred sites before registering. Srinuan is running as a candidate for the Bhumjaithai Party.
On 27 Dec 2025 GMT+7, reports indicated that on the first day of candidate registration for Chiang Mai’s 10 constituencies, Chiang Mai has long been a stronghold of the PTP. However, in the 2023 election, the People's Party won 7 seats while PTP secured 2 seats.
This election features not only PTP and the People's Party but also Bhumjaithai, Democrat, and Kla Party, all fielding candidates in all 10 Chiang Mai constituencies. There are both newcomers and incumbents, including notable figures. Each party arrived at the registration venue before 08:30, with some visiting sacred sites beforehand for good luck.
PTP leader and prime ministerial candidate Julaphan Amornwiwat led all 10 Chiang Mai candidates in paying homage at Doi Suthep Stupa and the Kruba Srivichai Monument for blessings. Julaphan said briefly that the PTP team aims to sweep all 10 Chiang Mai seats, confident in their past performance.
PTP has refreshed its candidate lineup with six new candidates aiming to reclaim seats, but several constituencies appear highly competitive and require close attention. In Constituency 1, covering Chiang Mai city, the People's Party fields incumbent Ploy Petchrat Na Chomphu, who previously won nearly 50,000 votes. PTP nominated Dr. Theeraphat Tanpiriya-kul, former deputy Chiang Mai provincial administrative organization chief, while Narakorn Tiyan, a former well-known news anchor, is also contesting here for the Democrat Party.
Constituency 3 in San Kamphaeng, the hometown of Shinawatra, was lost by PTP last time and is targeted for recapture. All 10 Chiang Mai constituencies are closely watched. Meanwhile, Srinuan Bunlue is contesting under the Bhumjaithai Party banner.
The People's Party’s Chiang Mai candidates were led by Chaitawat Tulathanan, senior director of the Progressive Foundation and former Move Forward Party leader, who arrived by bicycle to register all 10 candidates. In the 2023 election, the People's Party (previously Move Forward) won 7 seats, PTP 2, and Palang Pracharath 1. This time, the People's Party again fields candidates in all 10 constituencies, with former incumbents defending 7 seats (constituencies 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8), the old candidate standing in constituency 5, and newcomers in constituencies 9 and 10.
At the large hall of Chiang Rai Rajabhat University in Ban Du, Mueang Chiang Rai district, the Election Commission held registration for all 7 constituencies. Candidates from various parties arrived early before 08:30. The People's Party deputy leader, Dr. Wayo Aswarungroj, led the party’s candidates, affirming their readiness and policies addressing local problems, especially combating gray capital groups and environmental crises.
Regarding goals in Chiang Rai, Dr. Wayo said the party aims to retain the former incumbents’ 3 seats and add new ones to cover all 7 constituencies. All candidates have passed the party’s strict screening process to ensure they will be strong legislative representatives in parliament.