Bangkok: Amidst growing concerns over the Election Commission's (EC) management of Thailand's February 8, 2026 election, Professor Emeritus Charun Pakdeethanakul, a former Constitutional Court judge, has voiced strong opinions against resolving election issues through street protests. Instead, he suggests the Constitutional Court as the appropriate venue for addressing disputes, cautioning that mobilizing masses could destabilize the nation and potentially lead to a coup d'©tat.

According to Thai News Agency, Professor Charun emphasized the dangers of inciting public protests, stressing that such actions could lead to national instability. He argued that regardless of the constitution's current state, preserving the democratic system is preferable to creating conditions that might trigger a coup.

From a legal perspective, Professor Charun asserted that the Administrative Court lacks jurisdiction over election validity, as elections fall under "constitutional operations." He recommended that any disputes be directed to the Constitutional Court, potentially via the Ombudsman, to assess if the Election Commission's actions breached the Constitution. Should evidence indicate that QR codes compromised ballot secrecy, the Constitutional Court could invalidate the election and mandate a new one.

Professor Charun highlighted the contentious QR code issue on ballot papers, noting its dual role as both a potential security measure against counterfeit ballots and a possible threat to voter confidentiality. The Election Commission argues that QR codes prevent fraud, while opponents claim they could breach voter anonymity if traceable to voter signatures.

Furthermore, if the Constitutional Court deems the election invalid, the Election Commission may face accountability under Section 157 for neglect or improper conduct. Professor Charun suggested that proving "intent" would be crucial and depend on the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Court's ruling.

Concluding his remarks, Professor Charun advocated for resolving the election dispute through the judicial system, allowing evidence to reveal the truth and ensuring the continuation of a violence-free democratic government.