![Spotlight: What Happened in Thailand This Week [5-9 Jan 2026]](https://media.thairath.co.th/image/rgUSv21rTKY3vXHies1a2h5WVBH61mILPr0k3SCfxgkgbjIe9vA1.jpg)
The week began with a return to work and school after the long holiday season. The upcoming election and referendum remain key issues to watch this week.
Several political parties have actively campaigned by unveiling policies and candidates with enthusiasm. Starting with Pira Pan Saliratwipak, leader of the United Thai Nation Party and prime ministerial candidate, who introduced the 'Executioner of the Wicked' initiative to protect the good after pledging with anti-corruption organizations, vowing to fight against shadowy funding controlling the party or country.
This executioner initiative aligns with the party's policies proposing a prison in the sea, harsher penalties for drug trafficking, execution of scammers, and suppression of corruption.
Meanwhile, civil society continues to monitor the work of independent organizations managing the election and referendum. We Watch, an election observation group, pointed out that over 19 million sample referendum ballots sent nationwide to educate the public contained missing text, failing to clearly specify the cross mark. Additionally, the Election Commission printed the sample ballots in blue, different from the actual yellow ballots used on voting day. The Election Commission acknowledged the omission and plans to increase public communication on this matter. Political parties are permitted to publicize referendum voting.
Good news for Thai actors: Patarawadee Meechuthon, Dom Hetrakul, Lalisa Manoban, and Methee Thabthimthong, alongside the cast of The White Lotus, are nominated for The Actor Awards by SAG-AFTRA in the category 'Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series'. The awards ceremony will take place on 1 Mar 2026 and will be available for viewing on Netflix.
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Pira Pan Saliratwipak, leader of the United Thai Nation Party and prime ministerial candidate, unveiled the 'Executioner of the Wicked' initiative to protect the good after pledging with anti-corruption organizations, vowing to fight against shadowy funding controlling the party or country. This initiative aligns with the party's policies proposing a prison in the sea, harsher penalties for drug trafficking, execution of scammers, and suppression of corruption.
The Royal Thai Police submitted a case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate Police General Surachate Hakparn ('Big Joke') for bribing with 246 baht of gold to Ekwit Watchavalaku, a commission member, and six others to assist in a case where Big Joke was accused of benefiting from an online gambling case. This week, police released video evidence showing the process of delivering gold to the suspects. The commission has ordered Ekwit to be removed from his position during the investigation.
We Watch, an election observation group, stated that the sample referendum ballots distributed nationwide to inform the public omitted clear instructions on the cross mark. Furthermore, the Election Commission printed sample ballots in blue, differing from the actual yellow ballots used on voting day. The commission acknowledged the omission and plans to enhance public relations on this issue. Political parties are allowed to publicize the referendum voting.
Supasek Amornchat, known as Pipe, aged 23, son of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, said he represented his mother to visit Thaksin Shinawatra, traveling with Panthongtae and Pinthongta, along with the Shinawatra family. This was Pipe's first visit to Thaksin after studying abroad since 2019.
This year, SAG-AFTRA renamed the event The Actor Awards, honoring outstanding performances in film and series. The cast of The White Lotus season 3 was nominated for 'Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series', including Patarawadee Meechuthon as Sritala and Dom Hetrakul as Pornchai.
Lalisa Manoban as Muk and Methee Thabthimthong as Kaidok. The awards ceremony will be held on 1 Mar 2026 and can be viewed on Netflix.