"Wannor" voted in Nonthaburi; "Chaiwat" encouraged Thais to exercise their rights to determine the nation's direction; "Julpan" voted in Chiang Mai ahead of awaiting the Pheu Thai election results; General Prayut expressed confidence that the new government will be promising and meet expectations.
At 09:00 on 8 February 2026, at Election District 6, Polling Station 37, in Mit Pracha Village, Saothonghin Subdistrict, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province. Mr. Wan Muhamad Nor Matha Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Prachachart Party and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, arrived with his family to exercise their voting rights in the parliamentary election. After voting, he left immediately without giving any media interviews. The election atmosphere was lively this morning after the polls opened, with many elderly voters lining up at polling stations. Traffic congestion was reported along the routes.
At 09:30, Mr. Chaiwat Thanakamanusorn, leader of the Rakchat Party and prime ministerial candidate, arrived to vote at Polling Station 1, Election District 8, Bangkok, in front of the SCB Park Plaza building at Ratchayothin Intersection, Chatuchak District, Bangkok. After voting, Mr. Chaiwat said today is a good day for the people to decide their parliamentary representatives to set the country's future direction, especially regarding the referendum vote, which is a direct democratic process to approve or reject the new constitution draft. He added that it is every Thai citizen's duty to vote and encouraged everyone to participate actively.
However, some issues were observed, such as at Polling Station 1 in Chatuchak District where voters had to wait about 20 minutes this morning. The afternoon is expected to be busier with longer waits. Additionally, some outdoor polling stations had tents without roofs, causing heat; he advised voters to bring umbrellas.
Meanwhile, at 09:45 in Chiang Mai Province, at Polling Station 1, Multi-purpose Hall of Ban Pa Khoi Nuea, Sanphisuea Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, Mr. Julpan Amornwiwat, leader of the Pheu Thai Party and prime ministerial candidate, came to cast his vote. He later stated that he voted to move Thailand forward and urged citizens to vote in large numbers to achieve democracy.
After voting, Mr. Julpan returned home to prepare for the trip to Bangkok to await the Pheu Thai Party's vote count. In Chiang Mai, the party did not set up a war room; candidates stayed in their own areas since the election results are reported online.
On the other hand, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Privy Councillor, former Prime Minister, and former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, voted at Polling Station 11, Phaya Thai Subdistrict, Phaya Thai District, Bangkok, at a tent under the expressway on Soi Pradipat 5. General Prayut is listed as candidate number 162. The polling station had 439 voters, with 434 eligible for the referendum vote.
General Prayut spoke about the election and referendum, saying that it is a matter everyone must help oversee. When asked if he expects a government that will continue working steadily, General Prayut replied, "It has to be that way; otherwise, why hold elections?"
