The Territorial Defense Command clarifies the case of 12th-grade students claiming they were forced to attend the Territorial Defense camp at Khao Chan Krai on election day, 8 Feb 2026, resulting in lost voting rights.
On 29 Jan 2026, reports indicated thatthe Public Relations Center of the Territorial Defense Commandreleased a statement clarifying the case of 12th graders alleging they were forced to attend the Territorial Defense camp at Khao Chan Krai on election day, 8 Feb 2026, causing them to lose their voting rights.
It stated that, regarding media reports claiming “12th graders were forced to attend the Territorial Defense camp at Khao Chan Krai on election day, 8 Feb, causing loss of voting rights,” the Territorial Defense Command, as the unit responsible for military cadet training under the army, wishes to clarify the facts as follows.
The Territorial Defense Command established a field training command for military cadets at Khao Chan Krai, Kanchanaburi Province, from 4 Jan to 15 Mar 2026, to conduct field training for military cadets in years 2-3 at the central level and years 4-5 nationwide. Training is organized in shifts lasting 3 to 7 days, depending on year level and gender.
The Election Commission set 8 Feb 2026 as election day. To enable all eligible military cadets to exercise their voting rights lawfully, the Military Cadet Center, through Territorial Defense schools, notified training schools overlapping the election date to inform cadets to submit advance voting registration.
Military cadets who did not vote early and wish to vote on 8 Feb 2026 may request to change to a training shift that does not coincide with election day. The Territorial Defense Command will also facilitate adjustments by coordinating with schools to ensure cadets can fully exercise their voting rights, including those training in regional units.
The Territorial Defense Command adheres to army policy supporting the exercise of rights and duties under the law within the democratic system under the monarchy as head of state.
