Advance voting in several provinces is lively, with citizens actively waiting to cast their ballots from opening time. Army and navy personnel are marching into polling booths, as some must remain on guard at the Thailand-Cambodia border area due to ongoing duties.
At 08:00 on 1 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters covering advance voting at the Surin Provincial Administrative Organization auditorium reported a lively atmosphere. Both out-of-district and in-district registered voters were present early before polling opened. The scene included government officials, police, military personnel, and citizens all eager to vote. Lt. Col. Niyom Petchkomon, Director of the Surin Provincial Election Commission Office, was present along with volunteer cadets and scouts assisting with facilitation. A total of 86,344 voters registered for out-of-district advance voting at eight polling stations across eight districts: Mueang, Khwao Sinarin, Samrong Thap, Sangkha, Prasat, Chom Phra, Rattanaburi, and Kap Choeng. Additionally, over 2,000 military personnel from various units gradually arrived to cast their out-of-district advance votes.
Lt. Col. Niyom stated that in the morning, over 500 people queued outside the auditorium, including both out-of-district and in-district registered voters. Staff at the entrance provided information and verified voter order to ensure efficient processing inside the polling station. Each voter spent about 5-10 minutes verifying their ID card, receiving two ballots, voting, checking their ballots, and casting them. So far, voting is proceeding smoothly with no problems. He noted that voters appeared quite engaged, estimating over 90% turnout for advance voting, with most intending to vote early and not on the official election day.
The Surin Provincial Election Commission Director further explained that, according to the Election Commission's regulations, the sale, distribution, or provision of any alcoholic beverages is prohibited within the polling area for both advance and official election days. To ensure orderly elections, the Surin Election Commission requested cooperation from vendors to cease alcohol sales starting from 18:00 on Friday, 31 Jan 2026 GMT+7 until 18:00 on Saturday, 1 Feb 2026 GMT+7. After polls close, the Surin postal service will collect ballot boxes to bring them to the central postal hub, where police will then take custody for sorting by electoral district. Voters present in or in line at polling stations by 17:00 may still vote, but those arriving after 17:00 are not allowed to vote.
Narathiwat military personnel line up enthusiastically for advance voting as citizens continue to exercise their rights.
In the advance voting for MPs, both in-district and out-of-district, in Narathiwat's constituency 1, Mueang district, the atmosphere is lively. Citizens and government officials continually come to vote. Narathiwat School serves as the central polling station for constituency 1, where many registered advance voters check their names and order via posted lists and online systems. Overall, the process is orderly, with Election Commission staff and volunteers closely guiding voters into polling booths.
Narathiwat province has 7,043 out-of-district registered voters, 330 in-district, and 2,363 registered for the referendum voting on Sunday, 8 Feb 2026 GMT+7. Voters are arriving steadily, especially government officials, military, and police who must serve on the main election day, as well as the general public working in different areas, showing strong enthusiasm to vote. Mr. Nantapol Phachuen, Director of the Narathiwat Provincial Election Commission, reported that advance voting across the province’s five constituencies is proceeding smoothly with no election law violations reported. He emphasized that voters should carefully check their ballots and ballot envelopes before casting to ensure all votes are correctly counted in their home constituencies.
Marines in Trat province gradually exercise their advance voting rights due to ongoing border surveillance duties.
At the Trat Provincial Administrative Organization auditorium, serving as the advance MP voting center, citizens from various sectors including government officials, private employees, and military personnel have been arriving continuously since before polls opened. The Election Commission has arranged eight polling stations here, with 3,333 registered out-of-district advance voters and 65 in-district.
Today, groups of marines and naval personnel deployed on border defense missions in Trat province, as part of the 'Trat Anti-Enemy Operation' from December 2025, gathered to vote in large numbers. Due to important duties, they cannot return home to vote on the official election day, 8 Feb 2026 GMT+7. A military representative explained that although the border situation remains stable, continuous surveillance duties require personnel to alternate voting throughout the day. Those whose home base is Trat will be assigned to vote on the main election day by another group.
Mr. Kriekrai Panyapongsathorn, District Chief of Mueang Trat, who also voted early, said that both out-of-district and in-district registered advance voters participated in an orderly atmosphere. Ballots will be sent to the voters’ electoral districts to be counted with the official election results. Generally, the election has shown no suspicious activity, except for some cases of campaign poster destruction and placement of posters in prohibited areas, which have been addressed. He expects high voter turnout this year. While vote-buying has been mentioned, no concrete evidence has been found. Vigilance remains to ensure a clean and fair election.
Border military personnel in Ubon Ratchathani enthusiastically participate in advance voting.
In Ubon Ratchathani province, reporters at the central polling station for constituency 11, located at the Det Udom district auditorium, reported a lively morning atmosphere. This station serves military personnel stationed along the Thailand-Cambodia border in Nam Yuen, Na Chaluai, and Buntharik districts. Over 3,000 registered advance voters are present. Each unit arranged transport to bring troops from their bases continuously to vote.
Mr. Panyapokorn Virakkhamo, Director of the Election Commission for constituency 11 in Ubon Ratchathani, explained that this is a central polling station at Det Udom district auditorium. Advance voters are divided into two groups: 18 registered in-district voters and 3,092 out-of-district voters, mostly military personnel assigned to bases in Nam Yuen, Na Chaluai, and Buntharik districts. Many come from other provinces such as Kanchanaburi, Buriram, and Bangkok and have registered in advance.
A soldier from Kanchanaburi province revealed he has been stationed here for three months. He said that information about candidates is clear because candidates are local figures known personally. For this election, he focuses on candidates who can be reached by the public and help solve problems. He is less concerned with policy details, which have been inconsistently implemented. Regarding border issues, he feels the area is well managed and supported, with frontline access throughout his posting in Nam Yuen district.
