Samut Prakan's District 6 in Phra Pradaeng is in turmoil as crowds gather demanding election results after suspicious signs were found at some polling stations. Residents are concerned that the election was managed by Lat Luang Municipality instead of the district office, and question whether the Lat Luang mayor maintained neutrality after being seen walking alongside a Bhumjaithai Party candidate. The mayor explained that, as a subordinate, he must welcome visiting superiors.
At 5:00 p.m. on 10 Feb 2026 GMT+7, nearly 100 Phra Pradaeng residents gathered at Lat Luang Municipality in Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province, to demand election results and inquire whether ballot boxes were still at the municipality, citing suspicious activities at some polling stations. Mr. Withoon Rujirakamot, municipal clerk of Lat Luang and director of elections for District 6, as well as acting chairman of the District 6 Election Commission, met with the crowd to explain and clarify. Another group met with Mrs. Sopa Meesamrit, Lat Luang mayor, who came down to meet and discuss the concerns.
They also questioned Mrs. Sopa Meesamrit about her participation in events alongside Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and acting Prime Minister, who came with Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a party-list MP, and Mr. Thapakorn Kullacharoen, a candidate for District 6 MP in Samut Prakan. At Kru Nai Market, the group arrived and social media captured images of Mrs. Sopa welcoming and walking with Mr. Anutin’s group. This raised concerns about appropriateness and whether it amounted to campaigning support for Mr. Thapakorn Kullacharoen of Bhumjaithai Party.
Ms. Kotchakorn (a pseudonym), age 20, read a statement addressed to Mr. Withoon Rujirakamot, municipal clerk and election director, demanding a new election for District 6 in Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province. She cited public images showing Mayor Sopa Meesamrit campaigning alongside the Bhumjaithai Party, causing public suspicion that she may have abused her power to support campaigning. She called for investigation into this conduct.
Additionally, she demanded that Mr. Withoon receive the letter in person and remain until he personally accepted it, refusing to accept a proxy due to lack of trust. She said his personal receipt would build public confidence. Furthermore, she called for him to promise to investigate Mayor Sopa Meesamrit and to conduct a new election, as well as to examine whether the Bhumjaithai Party candidate was involved in abusing power.
Facts as Presented
Firstly, public images and awareness show the Lat Luang mayor participated in activities supporting the campaign of the Bhumjaithai Party candidate for Samut Prakan District 6.
Secondly, Samut Prakan District 6’s polling area includes Lat Luang Municipality, which is publicly recognized as responsible for overseeing and facilitating election management, directly linked to its leader, Mayor Sopa Meesamrit. Her presence at campaign events intensifies concerns about election transparency and the perception of impartiality among eligible voters.
Thirdly, local residents recognize that the individual holding this local political office inherently wields influence in campaigning, thus gaining an actual advantage.
Fourthly, confidence in the integrity and fairness of the election in the district has been undermined, casting doubt on whether it was free and fair.
The most important demands include
1. A new election in District 6 to protect the integrity and fairness of the election, considering the involvement of a public official perceived as abusing state power locally.
2. An investigation into whether state power or resources were used to assist a candidate or political party.
3. Examination of the use of government assets, official vehicles, personnel, and budgets during the relevant period.
4. Transparency in disclosing progress and results of the investigation within legal limits, so the public can follow up openly.
Mr. Wut (pseudonym), 39, one of the gathered residents, said he and the group came to Lat Luang Municipality to demand transparent election information because some polling stations lacked public observers during vote counting. He wants transparency similar to other districts. He suspects discrepancies between ballots cast and vote counts but does not accuse officials, only questions whether transparency was adequate. In District 6 of Phra Pradaeng, the winner led by only 2,500 votes. The election was organized by the municipality, not district officials, which he finds unusual. He also heard rumors linking Lat Luang municipal officials to political parties due to campaign images. His main demands are disclosure of election results and a recount, though he acknowledges the recount may be difficult as it is under the central Election Commission’s authority.
He emphasized that the gathering consists solely of citizens seeking fairness, not political party agents. Although small in number, they demand transparency. The key question is whether the election was transparent; if so, they accept the results. He recognizes that a review process is difficult as the election occurred two days ago. They came in good faith to protect their rights.
Mrs. Sopa Meesamrit, Lat Luang mayor, stated that a group had asked about the District 6 ballot boxes, and the election director already answered their questions with no further issues. Another group approached her accusing her of partiality for walking with the Bhumjaithai candidate and Prime Minister Anutin. She explained that, as a subordinate, she must welcome visiting superiors. She said Anutin came to campaign at Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market, but she did not travel with him.
“In the afternoon, Prime Minister Anutin campaigned near Kru Nai Temple. I met and spoke with him for about 500 meters, then we parted ways and I went home. Regarding accusations of bias, I leave that to the Election Commission’s judgment. As for this new group of demonstrators, I think they are impatient. If they want to file complaints, they should submit written documents with evidence.”
“As mayor, when Mr. Anutin visits, I stop by to greet him. He came to Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market. If I followed him everywhere, it would look bad. When he came to Kru Nai Temple, as an authority visiting our area, I, as a subordinate, welcomed him for about 500 meters from the temple entrance to the temple, then went home. We each went our separate ways.”
Mr. Withoon Rujirakamot, Lat Luang municipal clerk, said as election director he was approached by youth groups asking about District 6 ballots. He confirmed he had already delivered all ballots to the Election Commission yesterday, with documents, signatures, and photos. He believes the youth misunderstood because earlier they called the Election Commission and were told ballots were still at Lat Luang Municipality. Later, they called again and were informed ballots had been transferred to the Samut Prakan provincial Election Commission.
Mr. Weeraphat Kantha (Dear), People's Party candidate for District 6, said he and Phra Pradaeng residents remain suspicious of the recent election due to irregularities at some polling stations. He lost by 2,553 votes to Mr. Thapakorn Kullacharoen of Bhumjaithai Party, who received 35,440 votes to his 32,855. After the election, residents reported suspicious activity by some polling officials. He believes the election was not transparent and has gathered evidence to request a recount from the Election Commission to ensure fairness. He added that he would accept the outcome regardless of the recount results.