Naronk, an Election Commission member, visited the area to inspect the ballot box handover for the Udon Thani Constituency 3 by-election, reporting no complaints so far. He urged the public to bring umbrellas on 30 August due to the risk of rain, advising voters to be prepared.
On 29 August 2026, Mr. Naronk Rakroi, Election Commission member, accompanied by his team, traveled to the Chalermphrakiat Hall at the Sangkhom District Office in Udon Thani Province. This location is where the Polling Station Committees (PSC) receive the ballot boxes for the by-election of the Member of Parliament for Udon Thani Constituency 3, filling the vacancy left by the late Mr. Rang Thurapol, former MP from the Bhumjaithai Party. The visit aimed to inspect and ensure readiness and orderliness in the election process. Ms. Samihra Dechakung, Director of the Provincial Election Commission Office of Udon Thani, Mr. Phisitchai Apipiyakul, Deputy Governor of Udon Thani, and Mr. Chainarong Suradanai, Sangkhom District Chief, welcomed and guided the inspection.
Following this, Mr. Naronk toured and inquired with the Polling Station Committees (PSC) about any issues or obstacles, checking whether the equipment and ballot boxes were ready, complete, and undamaged. The Constituency 3 of Udon Thani includes Phen District, Sangkhom District, and Ban Khao Subdistrict of Mueang Udon Thani District. There are three candidates contesting the election.
Candidate number 1 is Mr. Khachit Chainikom, aged 75, from the New Democracy Party.
Candidate number 2 is Mr. Athikarn Kaokruasri, aged 47, from the Bhumjaithai Party.
Candidate number 3 is Mr. Kamphan Chantachon, aged 69, from the For Homeland Party.
Officials have scheduled two time slots for receiving the ballot boxes: from 08:30 to 09:30 and from 10:30 to 11:30, to maintain order and avoid overcrowding. Sangkhom District is divided into six subdistricts with 53 villages: Sangkhom, Chiang Da, Ban Yuat, Ban Khok, Na Sa-at, and Ban Hin Ngom.
The Election Commission's inspection lasted about 30 minutes before proceeding to inspect the hall at Phen District Office. In the afternoon, they planned to visit the Provincial Election Commission Office in Udon Thani for a meeting to finalize preparations for the 30 August 2026 election.
Mr. Naronk stated he trusts that the Provincial Election Commission Director of Udon Thani and the Provincial Governor have adequately supported the Polling Station Committees and that there have been no problems. Previous elections were orderly, and this one is expected to be better as the Election Commission has improved election unit management to be as complete and lawful as possible. For example, they introduced innovations such as allowing each unit chairperson to manage their own unit, which improves orderliness and speed. So far, no complaints have been received.
Regarding potential risks, rain is a concern. He urged eligible voters to come early to vote. In the last election on 8 February 2026, voter turnout was 63.42 percent. This time, he hopes for higher turnout, though recognizing it is a by-election. Regarding weather, he advised Polling Station Committees to prepare umbrellas and reminded voters to bring theirs when traveling to vote. Polling stations will be indoors without tents, as tents are not considered sturdy. In the future, tents will be eliminated entirely. Concerning barcodes on ballots, this is not an issue; the election district ballots will not have them, as they are considered confidential.
Brief biographies of the three candidates are as follows.
Candidate number 1, Mr. Khachit Chainikom, aged 75, from the New Democracy Party, is a six-term former MP. His first term was in 1992 with the New Hope Party, serving two terms. In 2009, he was MP for Maha Sarakham with the Pheu Thai Party in a by-election following the disqualification of Mr. Sutin Klangsaeng. In 2011 and 2019, he returned as MP for Udon Thani Constituency 4 with the Pheu Thai Party, but in 2023, Pheu Thai changed their candidate.
Candidate number 2, Mr. Athikarn Kaokruasri, aged 47, from the Bhumjaithai Party, campaigns with the slogan "Son of Former MP Rang Thurapol, Our Local Man," a phrase used by Mr. Rang himself in politics. Mr. Athikarn is a key team member of his father-in-law. His wife is a provincial council member for Phen District, while Mr. Rang's wife serves as the Chief of Chiang Whang Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Phen District.
Candidate number 3, Mr. Kamphan Chantachon, aged 69, from the For Homeland Party, is a resident of Non Sa-at Village, Ban Chai Subdistrict, Ban Dung District, Udon Thani. He holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University. He is a former three-term deputy chief of Ban Chai Subdistrict Administrative Organization, a former candidate for provincial council in Ban Dung District, and has experience as a labor coordinator abroad in countries including Saudi Arabia and Libya.