The prohibition is enforced under Section 147 of the Election Act B.E. 2561 (2018) and covers the sale, distribution or provision of alcoholic beverages during the restricted period. The Phuket branch of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT Phuket) said the ban will be strictly enforced to ensure a fair and orderly voting process.
ECT Phuket warned that violations carry penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to B10,000, or both. The office confirmed that the ban applies nationwide and urged all entertainment venues, retailers and the public to cooperate.
Polling stations across Phuket’s three constituencies will be open from 8am to 5pm on election day, with police advising motorists to exercise extra caution when passing polling stations located at schools, local government offices and community centres, where traffic congestion and pedestrian activity are expected throughout the day.
Key polling locations in Phuket
Authorities have identified main polling centres across the island, alongside hundreds of smaller neighbourhood polling stations:
* Constituency 1: Piboon Sawasdee Municipal School (Voters from Talad Yai, Talad Nuea, Ratsada and Koh Kaew)
* Constituency 2: Robinson Lifestyle Chalong (Voters from Wichit, Chalong, Rawai, Karon, Patong and Kamala)
* Constituency 3: Robinson Lifestyle Thalang (front parking area, Zone A01) (Voters from Thalang and Kathu subdistricts)
A special polling station has also been set up at the Phuket Elderly Social Welfare Development Center in Pa Khlok, Thalang, to accommodate elderly voters and persons with disabilities.
ECT Phuket confirmed that coordination has been made with local agencies to assist voters with disabilities and the elderly, including the provision of transport and volunteers to help facilitate access to polling stations. Overlay ballot cards have also been prepared for visually impaired voters.
Phuket constituency candidates
Constituency 1
Ballot No. 1: Soranan Saneh – Pheu Thai Party
Ballot No. 2: Supachai Srisawat – Economic Party
Ballot No. 3: Somchart Techathaworncharoen – People’s Party
Ballot No. 4: Ploytalay Laksmisangchan – Bhumjaithai Party
Ballot No. 5: Thiwat Sidokbuab – Kla Tham Party
Ballot No. 6: Boonsupha Tandhai – Democrat Party
Ballot No. 7: Worapong Yurahman – Palang Pracharath Party
Constituency 2
Ballot No. 1: Disqualified
Ballot No. 2: In Phetchin – Setthakit Party
Ballot No. 3: Sanakorn Keesin – Bhumjaithai Party
Ballot No. 4: Natthaporn Phanitphichetwong – Pheu Thai Party
Ballot No. 5: Somchart Somnam – Democrat Party
Ballot No. 6: Chalermpong Saengdee – People’s Party
Constituency 3
Ballot No. 1: Sakchai Chaowai – Pheu Thai Party
Ballot No. 2: Thitikan Thitiphrutikul – People’s Party
Ballot No. 3: Orathai Kertsap – Kla Tham Party
Ballot No. 4: Wiwat Jindapol – Bhumjaithai Party
Ballot No. 5: Sirikes Chua Sakul – Democrat Party
Ballot No. 6: Dechawat Ounsorn – Setthakit Party
Ballot No. 7: Kasem Karimkar – Thai Pakdee Party
ECT Phuket confirmed that two Phuket candidates have been barred from contesting the election. The Supreme Court disqualified Kla Tham Party candidate Cholsit Kaewyarat in Constituency 2 for holding shares in a media company, while another candidate was earlier ruled ineligible after being expelled from party membership, invalidating his registration.
What voters can expect on polling day
The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) reiterated that voters will take part in both the parliamentary election and a national referendum on Sunday, Feb 8, with polling open from 8am to 5pm.
Voters at their registered polling station will receive three ballots:
- A green ballot for the constituency MP,
- A pink ballot for the party-list MP, and
- A yellow ballot for the referendum.
At special polling stations outside a voter’s constituency for the referendum, voters will receive only the referendum ballot.
Acceptable identification includes a national ID card (expired cards are accepted), a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driving licence or passport, or approved digital IDs via official government applications.
ECT officials will be on hand to guide voters through the process, which includes signing the voter list, receiving ballots, marking choices in the polling booth, and depositing ballots in the designated boxes. Authorities stressed that ballots must be marked clearly to avoid being invalidated.
Strict prohibitions and election-day rules
Alongside the alcohol ban, ECT Phuket reminded the public of other election-day prohibitions, including:
- No campaigning from 6pm tonight until the close of polls tomorrow.
- No photographing or recording voted ballot papers.
- No gambling on election results.
- No vote-buying, inducements or dissemination of false information.
- No taking ballots out of polling stations or showing marked ballots to others.
- No wearing shirts with numbers, including football or sports jerseys with numbers, which may be deemed campaigning under election law.
Non-Thai nationals are also prohibited from participating in campaigning activities. Violations of election laws may result in imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to B10,000, or both.
After the polls close
ECT Phuket noted that election and referendum results will undergo a legal verification process before being officially announced. Constituency and party-list results are expected to be confirmed within 60 days of polling day, provided the election is deemed free and fair. Referendum results are expected to be announced within 30 days, with objections permitted within 48 hours after voting ends.
Authorities urged Phuket residents and eligible voters to turn out, stressing that both the parliamentary election and the referendum are key democratic processes shaping the country’s future.
“Every vote matters,” ECT Phuket said, calling on the public to exercise their rights lawfully and responsibly as the island and the nation head to the polls.