BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand enforced sweeping bans on alcohol sales and political campaigning around the upcoming parliamentary elections and a parallel referendum to ensure an orderly vote.
Nationwide alcohol ban over two voting weekends
The Election Commission (EC) set 1 February 2026 as the date for advance voting by registered voters choosing constituency members of parliament, with the main parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for 8 February 2026. To prevent disturbances, the authority prohibited any handling of alcohol in all voting areas on both weekends.
For advance voting, no sale, distribution or events involving alcohol were allowed from 31 January 2026, 6 p.m., until 1 February 2026, 6 p.m. On election day, the alcohol ban applied from 7 February 2026, 6 p.m., until 8 February 2026, 6 p.m. Violations could be punished with up to six months in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 Baht, or both.
Tight curbs on campaigning around polling stations
In addition, the commission sharply restricted electioneering. On both the advance voting day and the main election day, campaigns and political advertising were banned in and around polling stations where they could affect voters.
For advance voting on 1 February 2026, the ban ran from Friday, 31 January 2026, 6 p.m., until midnight on 1 February 2026. It covered advance polling stations inside and outside constituencies and adjacent areas where activities might disturb voters or influence their perception at the polling place. The same penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 10,000 Baht, or both, applied to breaches.
Additional limits for referendum campaigning
A referendum was held alongside the parliamentary poll, with extra rules on public opinion-shaping. During a specified period it was prohibited to call for a yes, no, or abstention vote in the referendum.
This ban applied from 7 February 2026, 6 p.m., until 8 February 2026, 5 p.m. The EC again stipulated possible penalties of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to 10,000 Baht, or a combination of both for violations.
Who was eligible to vote
Those eligible to vote were Thai nationals who had held citizenship for at least five years and citizens aged 18 or older who were born before 10 February 2008. In addition, a voter’s name had to have been entered in the house registration of the constituency for at least 90 days before election day.
Buddhist monks, novices, ascetics and ordained clergy were not allowed to vote, nor were people who had been stripped of their voting rights. Also excluded were individuals imprisoned under a court order and those declared legally incompetent or of unsound mind.
Commission aims for orderly and undisturbed polls
With the broad bans, the Election Commission said it aimed to guarantee that the parliamentary vote and referendum took place in a calm environment.
“With the comprehensive prohibitions, the Election Commission wants to ensure that voting and the referendum take place in an orderly and undisturbed setting.”
said the commission, according to the report.
“Thailand drew clear lines before advance voting and election day: an alcohol ban, a halt to campaigning, and prison sentences for violations.”
said the report, summarising the measures.