The three MPs, who were first elected under the Move Forward Party banner by large margins in May 2023, all registered on the opening day of candidate registration at the new Phuket Provincial Hall on Saturday (Dec 27).
The first morning of registrations saw a lively atmosphere as prospective candidates from multiple parties arrived from early morning with campaign teams and enthusiastic supporters in tow. Registration began at 8:30am, with flowers, placards, cheering and party colours adding to the vibrant election spirit.
Phuket has three constituencies, each returning one MP. As of yesterday morning (Dec 28), the unofficial candidate lists stand as follows:
Constituency 1
Somchart Techathaworncharoen (People’s Party) – No. 3
Supachai Srisawat (Economic Party) – No. 2
Thiwat Sidokbuab (Kla Tham Party) – No. 5
Soranan Saneh (Pheu Thai) – No. 1
Boonsupha Tandhai (Democrat Party) – No. 6
Ploytalay Laksmisangchan (Bhumjaithai Party) – No. 4
Constituency 2
Cholsit Kaewyarat (Kla Tham Party) – No. 1
Chalermpong Saengdee (People’s Party) – No. 6
In Phetchin (Setthakit Party) – No. 2
Sanakorn Kisin (Bhumjaithai Party) – No. 3
Somchart Somnam (Democrat Party) – No. 5
Natthaporn Phanitphichetwong (Pheu Thai) – No. 4
Constituency 3
Sakchai Chaowai (Pheu Thai) – No. 1
Thitikan Thitiphrutikul (People’s Party) – No. 2
Pol Sgt Dechawat Ounsorn (Setthakit Party) – No. 6
Wiwat Jindapol (Bhumjaithai Party) – No. 4
Orathai Kertsap (Kla Tham Party) – No. 3
Sirikes Chua Sakul (Democrat Party) – No. 5
Kasem Karimkar (Thaipakdee Party) – No. 7
Mr Chalermpong continued his campaign by visiting Wat Thepnimit Market in Wichit yesterday (Dec 28), meeting vendors and residents to hear concerns about livelihoods, rising costs and ongoing economic hardship.
“Politics must begin with listening to the people,” he said. “The problems of people trying to make a living must be addressed seriously, not only during election campaigns.”
Meanwhile, yesterday also marked the second day of registration for proportional representation (party-list) candidates.
Among those registering was Worapong Yurahman, widely known as ‘Yao Hod Jang Phuket’, founder of the popular Facebook page Hod Jung Phuket’ (‘So Cruel Phuket’), who drew strong public support as he arrived to file his candidacy under the Palang Pracharath Party, receiving party number 7.
Mr Worapong pledged to push forward policies he said would deliver tangible benefits to Phuket people, referencing continued cost-of-living support, elderly allowances and new local initiatives. He vowed to resign if he failed to produce concrete results within two years.
Registration for constituency MP candidates in Phuket continues daily until Wednesday (Dec 31), from 8:30am to 4:30pm at Phuket Provincial Hall.
The general election will be held on Sunday, Feb 8, 2026, using a “three-ballot” system covering constituency MPs, party-list MPs and a referendum ballot on drafting a new constitution.
Voters unable to attend on election day may register for advance voting via the Smart Vote application or the Election Commission website until Jan 5, and may cast their ballots on Feb 1 at designated polling stations.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub