The Bangkok Election Commission (EC) is distributing documents about candidates and political parties to prepare for early voting on 1 Feb 2026. They are accelerating public announcements about polling location changes to accommodate the rise in voter turnout. They believe no problems will occur and emphasize that while election polls are allowed, publishing them is prohibited during the 7 days before voting.
On 20 Jan 2026 at the Bangkok Election Commission office, the EC began distributing documents listing early voters, candidate information for 400 constituency seats, political party details, and operational manuals for election officials. These materials will be posted at central polling stations across all 33 districts to prepare for early voting both inside and outside districts on 1 Feb 2026 from 08:00 to 17:00.
Lieutenant Samphan Saengkamlert, Director of the Bangkok EC, said preparations for early voting have been underway since yesterday with distribution of election materials, showing strong readiness. Trainers for election districts were trained to instruct polling officials in 6,353 polling stations involving 103,000 people. The district with the most out-of-district early voter registrations is Bang Kapi, with 53,000 voters, using the Tawanna Department Store as the polling site, which has been preliminarily inspected and deemed ready. About 7-8 polling stations have over 10,000 to 20,000 early voters, so adjustments to polling locations have been made to ensure smooth voting. Two out-of-district polling locations have been changed: Lak Si district’s polling site moved from the district office to the median area in front of the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, and Huai Khwang district’s site moved from the district office to the plaza in front of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority building on Rama 9 Road. Signage has been rehearsed. Facilities like parking and these location changes aim to ease voter convenience, avoid confusion, and prevent traffic obstruction.
“Regarding promotional signs about the 57 candidates and political parties to be placed outside polling stations, we have taken steps to prevent voter confusion by producing 1x5 meter signs and samples of ballot and referendum cards to display at stations. This aims to ensure voting quality and prevent spoiled ballots,” said Lieutenant Samphan.
Additionally, the Bangkok EC director stressed instructions to polling officials about writing the polling station code on ballot envelopes to avoid confusion with postal codes. Special training for early voting officials has been conducted, emphasizing verification of correct province names and election codes before sending ballots to the central counting center.
Election polls are allowed but publishing them is prohibited during the 7 days before voting.
Lieutenant Colonel Chanin Noilek, Deputy Secretary-General of the EC, addressed organizations conducting public opinion surveys or election polls, stating that conducting polls online or on-site is permitted at any time without prohibition. However, the EC forbids publishing any poll results during the 7 days leading up to the election. Furthermore, polls conducted without proper academic standards or involving fraud are strictly prohibited.
