A Thai newspaper reported that on October 24, a senior Thai government official confirmed that the general election is scheduled to take place on March 29, 2026, after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul discussed with the National Election Commission.
Anutin had previously said he planned to dissolve the National Assembly in late January 2026, with a general election held in March or early April 2026.
The Government and the Election Committee have discussed the time frame for holding elections. The most likely date is March 29, 2026, said Prime Minister Paradorn Prissananantakul.
Mr. Paradorn also said that the vote on the new constitution and whether to cancel the two border demarcation agreements with Cambodia is unlikely to be held on the same day as the general election.
The Election Commission has yet to announce an official election date, but Ittiporn Chairman Boonpracong said the agency will soon complete details of the vote and two refer referrals, scheduled to take place simultaneously.
The total budget for the election is estimated at 9 billion baht ($275 million), with 53 million voters eligible to participate.
Previously, in early September, Mr. Anutin won a vote in the National Assembly to become the 3rd Prime Minister of Thailand since August 2023, after the Bhumjaithai Party withdrew from the ruling coalition led by the Pheu Thai Party.
To gain leadership, he received support from the People's Party - the largest opposition party in the National Assembly - with the condition of holding elections within 4 months of taking office and holding a public consultation on the new constitution.
