THAILAND OPENS CANDIDATE REGISTRATION NATIONWIDE AHEAD OF FEB 8 ELECTION

BANGKOK, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Thailand on Saturday kicked off its campaign period for the Feb 8 general election, as political parties nationwide began registering candidates for the House of Representatives.

Candidate registration opened on Saturday and will run until Dec. 31 across Bangkok and all 76 provinces, from 8 am to 4.30 pm (local time).

According to the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT), candidates are required to submit their applications in person to district election officers.

In Bangkok, the Bangkok Youth Centre (Thai-Japanese) in Din Daeng, the venue for candidate registration in the capital’s 33 constituencies, was among the busiest on Saturday.

Party supporters and candidates gathered at the registration venue throughout the day. 

Among those present were Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat, People’s Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, Democrat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva, and Bhumjaithai Party Bangkok coordinator Ekanat Promphan.

Bangkok Metropolitan Election Commission Office Director Samphan Saengkamlaert said the registration process began early on Saturday, with candidates reporting by constituency to submit documents and complete verification procedures.

“Candidates may begin campaigning immediately after receiving their identification numbers and may display the numbers on campaign posters,” he told reporters at the Bangkok Youth Centre. 

He added that the Bangkok Election Commission Office has issued announcements clearly specifying permitted locations for campaign posters, urging candidates to ensure installations do not obstruct traffic, block visibility or pose risks to road users and the public.

Samphan said the Bangkok office is fully prepared for candidate registration across all 33 constituencies, while warning supporters to refrain from celebrations or entertainment activities that could violate election laws.

The ECT has set Feb 8, 2026, as polling day for the election of Members of the House of Representatives, with advance voting scheduled for Feb 1.

Under Thailand’s two-ballot electoral system, voters will elect 500 members of the House of Representatives for a four-year term, with all seats to be contested.

-- BERNAMA