Election 2026 On 8 February 2026, there will be a referendum held alongside the parliamentary election. The public will participate in deciding whether to draft a new constitution to replace the " 2017 constitution " or not. Thairath Online has summarized key information to help everyone understand before casting their referendum vote.
A referendum is a direct vote by the people to decide on important national matters without going through MPs, senators, or any representatives. It sets rules to be used nationwide and is a democratic mechanism legally ensuring everyone’s political participation.
Voters who go to vote on Sunday, 8 February 2026, from 08:00 to 17:00 will also cast a referendum vote. They will receive a " yellow ballot " to indicate their referendum choice.
On the referendum ballot, the question will be " Do you approve of a new constitution or not? " Voters must mark an X in one of the following boxes:
What is the referendum question? On the yellow referendum ballot, voters will answer the question " Do you approve the drafting of a new constitution? This directly asks whether a new constitution should be created to replace the current "2017 constitution" in force.
The referendum question does not include details of the new draft constitution, as this is the initial step. If the majority votes " Approve," the parliament and relevant committees will begin framing the content. If the majority votes " Disapprove," the existing constitution will remain in effect.
is currently Thailand's supreme law, in effect since the tenure of Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha. However, many see problems in areas such as political appointments, the powers of the Senate, and rules concerning elections and independent agencies. The 2026 referendum offers the public the chance to decide whether to move forward with drafting a new constitution.
Voting in the referendum is a direct democratic participation, symbolizing democracy as it allows citizens not only to elect representatives but also to choose the rights, freedoms, and political rules themselves. Read More Related News When Is the 2026 Election? What Time? How Many Ballots? What Are the Procedures?
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