The Yala Election Commission is preparing to use helicopters to collect ballot boxes from remote, mountainous areas in two districts. They revealed that the public is highly engaged in voting and confirmed there have been no violent incidents affecting the election.
On 8 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Piyawut Khiewkham, director of the Yala Provincial Election Commission Office, spoke about preparations for transporting ballot boxes after the conclusion of voting for members of the House of Representatives and the referendum.
In Yala province, the remote areas are mountainous. Security agency helicopters are used to transport ballot boxes and election materials to the district offices. This includes two districts: Village No. 8, Ban Muang Labu, Pathe Subdistrict, Yaha District, Yala Province, where helicopters from the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Front will transport ballot boxes and election equipment to Yaha District Office.
In Than To District, there are three polling stations at Ban Santi 2, Village No. 6, Mae Wat Subdistrict, Than To District, Yala Province. Two polling stations are located inside Ban Yoa School, and another polling station is at Ban Chulaporn 9, Village No. 9, Mae Wat Subdistrict, Than To District. Helicopters from the Police Aviation Division (Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Center) will be used to transport ballot boxes and election equipment to the Than To District Office.
The Yala Provincial Election Commission Office is concerned about the safety of polling station officials. After completing election duties, ballot boxes and election equipment will be transported to the district offices to ensure the election process is conducted properly.
Additionally, according to security officials' assessments, there have been no violent incidents affecting the election. This indicates strong public interest and high voter engagement. It is expected that voter turnout from morning until the halfway point of the election and referendum has already exceeded 50 percent. The target turnout is 80 percent, and the commission thanks the public for their strong cooperation in this election.