The House of Representatives election on Sunday, 8 February 2026, has prohibitions that the public must be aware of to avoid breaking the law as follows.
During the 24 hours before election day on 8 February 2026, starting at midnight on 7 February, the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages—including spirits, beer, and all intoxicating drinks—is prohibited until 6:00 p.m. on 8 February 2026. Violators face imprisonment up to six months, a fine up to 10,000 baht, or both (Section 147).
All forms of betting on election results are prohibited. Violators face up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both, and may be disqualified from voting for 10 years as well as barred from running for office if they organized the betting (Section 148).
Vote buying and selling are prohibited. Buyers (those giving money) face up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of 200,000 baht, and may be disqualified from voting for 20 years. Sellers (those receiving money or property) face up to 5 years imprisonment and a 100,000 baht fine (Section 164).
Obstructing or delaying anyone from voting—including family members, friends, or employers—is prohibited. If such obstruction prevents voters from reaching polling stations or arriving on time, the obstructer faces up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both, and may lose voting rights for 10 years (Section 164).
When entering the voting booth to cast a vote for a constituency MP and a preferred party, voters must not wear clothing or accessories bearing political party logos, numbers, or symbols, as this may be seen as influencing others (Section 156).
Removing the ballot paper from the voting booth is prohibited and punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both, and may lead to disqualification from voting for 10 years (Section 164).
Marking or making identifiable symbols on the ballot paper is prohibited and punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both, and may result in disqualification from voting for 10 years (Section 164).
Showing a completed ballot to others to reveal which candidate or party one voted for is prohibited. Violators face up to 1 year imprisonment, a fine up to 20,000 baht, or both (Section 165).
Recording images or video clips of completed ballots is prohibited. Violators face up to 1 year imprisonment, a fine up to 20,000 baht, or both (Section 165).
Deliberately damaging or spoiling a ballot paper, or causing it to be invalid, is prohibited. Offenders may face up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of 100,000 baht, and disqualification from voting for 10 years (Section 144).
If the public witnesses vote buying or any illegal election activities, they can report to the Election Commission via hotline 1444 or the "Ta Sapparot" application.
Reference: https://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2561/A/068/40.PDF
(Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, B.E. 2561 [2018])