EC Chief Gears Up for Local Polls Ensuring Smooth Voting for Bangkok and Pattaya Mayoral Races

Today (May 8, 2026) at 9:00 AM, at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel, the Office of the Election Commission (ECT) convened a preparatory meeting for the upcoming local elections of Bangkok and the City of Pattaya. The meeting focused on aligning operational guidelines for candidate qualification checks, campaigning regulations, polling station management, and the submission of income and expenditure accounts to ensure efficiency and consistency.

Mr. Sawaeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the ECT, stated that the commission is highly prepared since these are scheduled elections held upon the expiration of the current terms. The ECT has been coordinating closely with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Pattaya City to prepare personnel for over 6,000 polling stations. Lessons from previous errors have been applied, with training sessions starting more than a month in advance. The focus is on ensuring that polling station chairs are precise regarding regulations, decisive in their judgments, and receptive to public scrutiny.

Addressing Concerns Over Ballot Security

When asked by reporters about previous concerns regarding barcodes and QR codes on MP election ballots, the Secretary-General clarified that local election ballots will follow the established system, which includes safeguards against counterfeit or misplaced ballots.

"Local elections are inherently easier to verify, so these issues are not a concern here," Mr. Sawaeng noted.

He further emphasized that local election ballots are distinct from national MP ballots. Since elections for municipalities and Subdistrict Administrative Organizations (SAO/Obortor) occur frequently—roughly 30 to 40 locations per week—ballots are printed continuously to meet demand and are a different type altogether from those used in national elections.

Monitoring Campaign Conduct

Regarding campaign monitoring, Mr. Sawaeng revealed that no irregularities have been detected so far, either on the ground or online. Although competition in Pattaya is expected to be high, he believes the influence of the media and public vigilance will deter candidates from violating the law.

The ECT reaffirmed its primary objective: Integrity and Fairness. The commission remains indifferent to who wins or loses, focusing instead on a transparent process. The public is encouraged to monitor the work of officials at all times, with the assurance that every step of the process can be audited retroactively to ensure maximum credibility for this election.

Photo : Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong