Guide to the 2026 General Election and Referendum on the New Constitution

Guide to the 2026 general election for Members of Parliament and the referendum on the new constitution. On 1 and 8 February, how to register for advance or out-of-area voting and how many ballots will voters receive?

In just over a month, Thailand will hold a general election for Members of Parliament on 8 February 2026. On the same day, there will be a referendum asking, “Do you approve the drafting of a new constitution?” This article explains the differences between these two processes and what voters can do if they are unable to cast their vote on the designated day or at their assigned location. Thairath Online has compiled the information.

1 February: Advance voting out of constituency

1. Registration is open from 20 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, for voting on 1 February 2026 in the chosen constituency.

• Online registration is available 24 hours a day until midnight (24:00) on 5 January 2026, Thailand time.
  - Via the Smart Vote application
  - Online registration through the Department of Provincial Administration website
  Within the country:https://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/Election/regoutvote/
  Outside the kingdom:https://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/Election/popout/
• Submit your application to the district registrar, local registrar, ambassador, or an authorized representative during official hours. Required documents are:
  - A copy of your national ID card or a government-issued photo ID with your citizen ID number.
  - The registration form for advance out-of-constituency voting, form S.S.1/15.
• Applications can also be submitted by mail (postmark date is crucial) with the following documents:
  - A copy of your national ID card or a government-issued photo ID with your citizen ID number.
  - The registration form for advance out-of-constituency voting, form S.S.1/15.

2. Upon entering the voting booth, voters will receive two ballots:

• Constituency MP ballot (green) Mark the number of the candidate to select a representative for your area.
• Party-list MP ballot Mark the number of the party.

8 February: General election and referendum (at registered residence)

1. Upon entering the voting booth, voters will receive three ballots:

• Constituency MP ballot (green): Mark the number of the candidate to select a representative for your area.
• Party-list MP ballot (pink): Mark the number of the party.
• Referendum ballot (yellow): Mark approval or disapproval of whether a new constitution should be drafted.

8 February 2026: Referendum voting (out of constituency)

1. Registration for out-of-constituency referendum voting is open from 3 to 5 January 2026.

• Applications must be submitted to the district registrar, local registrar, ambassador, or authorized representative during official hours.
• Postal applications are accepted, with the postmark date being decisive.
• Online registration is available 24 hours a day until midnight (24:00) on 5 January 2026, Thailand time.
  - Within the country:https://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/Election/regoutvote/ 
  - Outside the kingdom:https://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/Election/popout/ 

2. Out-of-constituency referendum voters will receive one ballot:

• Referendum ballot (yellow): Mark approval or disapproval of the proposal.