The Election Commission clarified that the vote-buying arrest incident in Phichit Province is an old case from 2023 involving a group that created a disturbance without actual vote-buying. The Phichit Election Commission director confirmed that no complaints about vote-buying have been found in the 2026 election.
At 16:00 on 20 January 2026, the Election Commission issued a statement addressing reports that on 19 January, the Phichit provincial Election Commission, along with relevant officials, arrested individuals for vote-buying in an area of Phichit Province. The suspects, identified as major party vote canvassers, were caught at their residence with cash and attached notes listing recipients' names. The Election Commission clarified that the video in question is from the 2023 general election for Members of Parliament.
Amorn Ratchatankul, director of the Phichit provincial Election Commission, said the incident involved a formal complaint about vote-buying, with the complainant submitting media clips as evidence. Upon examining the evidence and conducting field investigations, it was found to be intimidation, threats, and shouting intended to frighten the accused. The individuals in the clip are not Election Commission officials; they were masked and unidentified outsiders not from the local area. Testimonies from nearby witnesses confirmed the accused did not engage in vote-buying nor act as party canvassers. The Election Commission decided to dismiss the complaint, as detailed in Election Commission ruling no. 253/2023.
Amorn added that although election competition in Phichit is intense, with active campaign signage, no complaints about vote-buying have been received. Regarding preparedness, the Phichit Election Commission has trained district election instructors. Currently, preparations for the election in Phichit are proceeding according to the election management plan and are ready.