Bangkok conducts a full rehearsal for the registration of candidates for governor and councilor elections, deploying nearly 1,500 staff to support candidates. Bangkok Permanent Secretary emphasizes the election will be transparent and fair, and reveals preparations to handle stormy weather conditions.
On 27 May 2026, Mr. Narong Ruangsri, Permanent Secretary of Bangkok and Director of Local Elections for Bangkok, together with the Bangkok Local Election Commission (BLEC) and Bangkok executives, held a press conference to announce preparations for candidate registration for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) and governor elections. They confirmed readiness in personnel, venues, facilitation systems, security, and measures to cope with rain and flooding to ensure the elections proceed smoothly, honestly, transparently, and fairly.
Bangkok has scheduled candidate registration from 28 May to 1 June 2026, between 08:30 and 16:30 at the Bangkok Room, B2 Floor, Irawat Pattana Building. Candidates may register and verify documents starting at 05:00 each day to facilitate document checks and preparation before official registration steps.
Mr. Narong stated that Bangkok has prepared nearly 1,500 staff divided into registration, document verification, facilitation, and security teams. Registration areas are clearly separated between governor and councilor candidates to ensure smooth operations and reduce crowding.
For governor candidates, there is one registration and document verification point on the left side before entering the Bangkok Room, with four registration desks. Councilor candidates have designated registration and initial document verification points for all 50 districts within the Bangkok Room to accommodate many candidates and reduce waiting times. Each candidate may bring no more than two accompanying persons into the registration area.
Additionally, Bangkok is coordinating with the Metropolitan Police Headquarters, Din Daeng Police Station, and related agencies to ensure security, manage traffic, inspect suspicious items, and maintain order in the registration area.
Mr. Narong explained that this registration will be more convenient and faster than before because the local election director can delegate the 50 district committees to handle councilor candidate registrations directly, allowing candidates to register at their own district points immediately, enhancing operational efficiency.
Regarding managing supporters and candidate followers, Bangkok has clearly organized designated parking and waiting areas on the east side along Prachasongkroh Road and outside Mit Maitri Road. Routes for candidate drop-off and pick-up after the lottery number draw are planned to prevent traffic congestion and overcrowding. Use of loudspeakers is permitted but must be kept at appropriate volume levels.
In preparation for weather and flooding issues, Mr. Narong said Bangkok has collaborated with relevant agencies, holding rehearsals for flood prevention and resolution plans. Personnel, equipment, and communication systems to alert the public are ready should heavy rain or flooding occur during the election period.
For the 2026 election, which falls during the rainy season, Bangkok has prepared measures for polling stations across the area. There are 6,629 polling stations, about 60% (approximately 4,270) are outdoor stations. The district offices have been assigned to inspect site suitability; if flooding or waterlogging risks are identified, improvements to the site and access routes must be made to ensure voters can reach stations easily. They also monitor tents to prevent leaks and ensure proper drainage systems.
Regarding eligible voters, Mr. Narong revealed that in the 2022 election there were 4,402,948 eligible voters, increasing to 4,507,523 in 2026, a rise of about 100,000. The election budget increased from 207,847,601 baht in 2022 to 294,100,000 baht in 2026, an increase of around 86 million baht.
The number of polling stations decreased from 6,817 in 2022 to 6,629 in 2026, a reduction of 188 stations.
According to 2022 election statistics, voter turnout for the Bangkok governor election was 60.73%, with 95.80% valid votes, 1.50% spoiled ballots, and 2.70% abstentions. For the Bangkok Metropolitan Council election, turnout was 60.48%, with 88.07% valid votes, 4.32% spoiled ballots, and 7.61% abstentions.
Mr. Narong emphasized that Bangkok aims to encourage more citizens to vote, as it is an important day for people to choose representatives to address problems and develop the city. The goal is to surpass the previous election's turnout.
On measures to ensure election integrity and fairness, Mr. Narong stated that Bangkok and the Local Election Commission are committed to transparent and fair elections. A Bangkok Election Coordination Center has been established on the 5th floor of Bangkok City Hall at Sao Chingcha to receive complaints and conduct investigations as per procedures.
Regarding campaign spending, governor candidates may spend up to 49 million baht, while councilor candidates have budgets between 820,000 and 1,150,000 baht, depending on the size of the electoral area. There is no limit on the number of campaign assistants.
Mr. Khachit Chatchawanich, Chairman of the Bangkok Local Election Commission, said the commission’s duty is to conduct elections honestly and fairly. He encouraged the public to vote and reminded candidates to study appropriate locations for campaign posters. If posters are placed in unsuitable locations or obstruct traffic, district offices will remove them.
After the press conference, Bangkok officials led the media on a tour to observe a live rehearsal of the registration system inside the Bangkok Room, B2 Floor, Irawat Pattana Building. The demonstration covered registration, document verification, queuing, lottery number draws for candidates, and facilitation systems for candidates, media, and the public to ensure confidence that the registration process will be orderly, transparent, and fair.