The Election Commission ordered an investigation into the crowd disruption targeting Thanathorn, warning that if the behavior constitutes intimidation or defamation, severe penalties will apply to both those involved and the political party behind it. They also revealed that re-elections will be held in two provinces after "No Vote" won in local administrative organization elections.
On 14 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Sa-nguan Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission, updated on the case where a crowd threatened Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Chair of the Progressive Movement, acting as a campaign assistant for the People’s Party, during a debate in Chonburi province. The Chonburi EC has received complaints and begun investigations. The EC divides its review into two areas: state law, where defamation cases will be referred to police, and election law, where acts of defamation, harassment, or intimidation affecting voting are considered serious offenses regardless of whether the perpetrators are ordinary citizens or backed by political parties.
Mr. Sa-nguan added that the EC’s E-War Room has identified content violating election laws along with aggressive material, comprising five video clips and 34 posts. These are currently under legal review. He also cautioned the public to be careful about creating content that may cause confusion or hatred before the election day.
The EC Secretary-General also reported on the overall local administrative organization elections held on 11 Jan 2026 GMT+7, noting a high voter turnout close to 70% and a satisfactory reduction in spoiled ballots. However, in two areas—Songkhla and Krabi provinces—the number of "No Vote" ballots exceeded candidate votes, necessitating full re-elections. According to the law, previous candidates are disqualified from re-running in these new polls. The case in Ang Thong province remains under verification.