The Thai Embassy in Australia has received 8,000 returned envelopes containing ballots for the 2026 election and the referendum from Thai citizens. Meanwhile, the Thai Embassy in France has added seven collection points for returning envelopes and apologized for delays in the delivery process.
On 29 January 2026 (Thai time), the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra, Australia, reported progress in managing the overseas election and referendum voting. It stated that as of 28 January at 6:00 p.m. local Australian time, the embassy had received 8,000 returned election ballots and referendum envelopes from registered voters. A total of 11,583 voters had registered with the embassy, representing a 70% return rate from citizens across all 400 constituencies nationwide.
The embassy sent out ballots to registered voters between 13 and 16 January. However, some ballots remain marked “await collection” at local post offices (Auspost) near voters’ residences. Voters are advised to follow up and may request tracking information from the embassy by sending a message. The embassy will accept returned ballots and referendum envelopes from registered voters no later than 2 February; otherwise, the ballots cannot be sent back to Thailand in time for official vote counting.
Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris, France, has publicized the completed dispatch of ballots and referendum documents back to the embassy. To facilitate and expedite the process for Thai citizens, the embassy will accept returned ballots, referendum papers, and certified identification documents until 3 February. It has also expanded collection channels by adding seven return points where voters or their representatives can submit documents in person, as follows:
1. In Paris, there are two collection points:
2. Lille: Location: Association Ch’Ti Thai at University of Lille, Roubaix Campus (in front of the building of the Department of Applied Foreign Languages, Faculty of Languages, Cultures and Societies), 651 av. des Nations Unies, 59100 Roubaix (near Gare Jean Lebas metro station). Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Or at: 120 Rue de Wasquehal, 59100 Roubaix, open daily including weekends. Contact: Mr. Thawanpon Petchruanthong, Tel. 07 59 59 82 29.
3.1 Location: 9 rue des Marroniers, 35160 Breteil. Operating hours: Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact: Ms. Pimphaka Jaffredo, Tel. 06 30 44 29 10.
5. Toulouse/Bordeaux/Montpellier: Location: Rectorat de l’académie de Toulouse, 75 Rue Saint-Roch, 31400 Toulouse. Operating hours: Monday, 2 February 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Tuesday, 3 February 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please contact in advance: Ms. Wilailak Omsomsaep (Thai-Provence Association), Tel. 06 47 05 37 14.
6. Nice/Cannes and the Principality of Monaco have two collection points:
6.1 Location: Hôtel Ibis Nice Aéroport, Promenade des Anglais, 06200 Nice. Operating hours: Sunday, 1 February 2026, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Monday, 2 February 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Contact: Ms. Catherine Barlow (Thai-Provence Association), Tel. 06 88 52 55 03.
7.1 Location: Hôtel Novotel Marseille Centre Prado Vélodrome, 103 Avenue du Prado, 13008 Marseille. Operating hours: Monday, 2 February 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please contact in advance: Ms. Namtip Saneha Fitch (Thai-Provence Association), Tel. 06 81 38 45 65.