The Election Commission (EC) has warned political parties to control the behavior of their members and supporters. If they allow attacks or defamation of opponents with false information, they risk imprisonment for up to 15 years. The EC revealed it has identified the company that produced the mysterious banners in Phitsanulok Province and plans to investigate who commissioned the work.
On 8 Jan 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at the Election Commission Office, Mr. Sa-nguan Bunmee, Secretary-General of the EC, disclosed regarding the appearance of banners expressing electoral intent for MPs in Phitsanulok Province that the EC office has received preliminary reports from the provincial EC and is currently investigating and gathering evidence to determine whether it constitutes defamation. He asked for time to verify the facts about who made the banners and whether the messages defame any candidates or political parties. The EC has already registered the case as an official investigation.
"Regarding the banners in Phitsanulok Province, we need to identify who made them. At this stage, we have identified the printing company contracted to produce them. Next, we must determine who commissioned the printing. After that, we will assess whether the messages on the banners harmed anyone or constitute defamation. We will not comment further now and will let the investigation process proceed."
The EC Secretary-General also addressed incidents involving the Pheu Thai Party's speeches containing inappropriate language and references to candidates of other parties, including cases where supporters of a political party edited the name of a prime ministerial candidate from one party and placed it alongside another party's number. He also mentioned public reactions expressing dissatisfaction with political parties' behavior. He said that whether such actions violate the law depends on the facts and elements involved. Regardless of whether the individuals are candidates, members, or supporters, if they defame others with false statements causing damage, the provincial EC offices must review recordings and context. The EC does not ignore these matters because it wants the election atmosphere to be orderly. While competition may be intense, it should remain within legal bounds without defamatory language or violence.
"During the election decree period, I want to urge the executive committees of each political party to control and supervise their members. Do not allow members or party officeholders to cause the election to be unfair or dishonest. If such behavior is reported to the party registrar, the registrar should notify the party executives to order correction or cessation. If ignored, the EC has the authority to remove the entire party executive committee from their positions without any process. There are criminal penalties including imprisonment from 7 to 15 years and prohibition from political involvement for 20 years. These measures ensure elections are honest and fair, in accordance with the Political Party Act, Section 22, with penalties under Sections 104 and 105."