Bangkok: The Election Commission is ramping up security measures in the final stages before the general election, deploying police and auxiliary police to establish checkpoints across the nation. Two additional parliamentary candidates have been withdrawn, bringing the total number of withdrawals to 20. The Election Commission is extending its investigation into vote-buying activities in Chiang Rai and Surat Thani, while also closely monitoring suspected cases in Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
According to Thai News Agency, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanin Noilek, Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission, together with Acting Lieutenant Phasakon Siriphakayaporn, held a press conference addressing the prevention and suppression of election fraud. The general election for Members of Parliament and the referendum is scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Acting Sub-Lieutenant Phasakon announced that the number of constituency MP candidates who have been removed has increased by two, totaling 20. The recent withdrawals include Captain Pongsapak Phurisittipol, candidate number 3 for Nakhon Ratchasima Constituency 5, from the Thai Kao Mai Party, and Mr. Natthanipat Kongphatthanan, candidate number 8 for Chonburi Constituency 2, from the Thai Sang Thai Party.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanin explained that suppression efforts are being coordinated with the Royal Thai Police. Officers have been deployed to assist in operations, and rapid response teams have been conducting intelligence gathering daily for the past two weeks. These teams, along with local administration volunteers, election inspectors, and Election Commission officials, are monitoring candidates and their campaign teams to prevent illegal activities. Nationwide checkpoints have been established with the participation of volunteer defense personnel, election inspectors, and provincial Election Commission officials to search for illegal items related to election laws.
The latest operations have resulted in arrests in Chiang Rai, where a vote-buying list with over a hundred names and over 60,000 baht in cash was discovered. Investigations are ongoing. Similarly, in Surat Thani, a voter registration list indicating vote-buying activities was found, prompting further investigation. Suspicious cases have also been identified in Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Si Thammarat, with more than 10 intelligence and investigative teams deployed to support these efforts.
As the election approaches, more offenses are anticipated to be uncovered. A previously suspected vote-buying case in Surat Thani is being further investigated by a newly established committee.
In Kamphaeng Phet province, campaign posters from a political party were found posted on a candidate information board at a polling station. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanin confirmed that the posters have been removed and an investigation is underway to pursue legal action.