I'm sure we all know Thai candidates would never even dream of doing anything underhanded to influence elections. They all believe in honesty being the best policy and their only interest is clean, forthright, completely honest elections due to their altruistic intentions to do what's best for Thailand and the people . . .
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Survey warns of vote-buying
EC steps up push for clean Feb 8 election
January 20, 2026
The Election Commission (EC) is examining allegations of vote-buying after a survey suggested more than a quarter of prospective voters would back candidates who offer cash, with payments reportedly ranging from 3,000 to 7,500 baht per person.
EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said he had sent messages to EC officials urging them to help campaign against vote-buying, as he wants the upcoming election to be widely accepted and conducted in a positive atmosphere, based on honest votes.
He noted that the EC aims to achieve a high voter turnout, and that the turnout in the upcoming election is expected to exceed the previous election's 75%. He added that votes should be cast based on policies and candidates' suitability to represent the people, not influenced by other factors.
Responding to the survey released by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), which claimed vote-buying had become increasingly aggressive, reportedly reaching up to 7,500 baht per voter, Mr Sawaeng said preventing and suppressing such practices is the EC's responsibility.
He said the EC is fully aware of vote-buying, although the exact amounts involved are not always known. While such incidents may occur, he emphasised that they must not become decisive factors in determining election outcomes.
He noted that it is unnecessary to invite the organisation behind the survey to provide additional information, as the EC already has relevant intelligence and is responsible for taking action.
Regarding the role of local vote canvassers, Mr Sawaeng said the EC must rely on intelligence, rapid-response teams and area-based monitoring, adding that provinces are classified into red, yellow and white zones, with red zones indicating intense political competition rather than confirmed wrongdoing.
The JSCCIB launched the result of its nationwide survey on Sunday, which involved 4,814 respondents, including 3,043 citizens and 1,771 representatives from the business sector. The result showed that 42% of the participants believe that vote-buying will be widespread in the upcoming election, while 69% of them said they would refuse money offered for votes, said Assoc Prof Sauwanee Thairungroj of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
She said the survey found that Bangkok and surrounding provinces recorded the highest reported vote-buying rate at 7,500 baht per person, followed by other regions at lower levels, ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 baht per person.
In addition, 71.9% of those surveyed said they would not vote for candidates who offer money in exchange for votes, citing reasons such as the act being illegal and corrupt, and that vote-buying reflects candidates' lack of ability and their aim to reap personal gain from official positions.
Furthermore, 28.1% said they would vote based on familiarity, past performance, influence networks or financial need.
Overall, respondents hoped political parties would take concrete anti-corruption steps, such as vetting candidates, disclosing politicians' assets transparently, expelling members guilty of corruption, cutting ties with illicit businesses and banning the appointment of "grey" ministers. However, most respondents expressed little confidence that parties would genuinely implement such measures.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... votebuying
Vote buying for upcoming Feb 8 elections? Surely you jest . . .
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Gaybutton
- Posts: 24325
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Re: Vote buying for upcoming Feb 8 elections? Surely you jest . . .
Gratifying to know that total honesty is the mainstay of Thai politics . . .
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Money politics still persist
January 24, 2026
With less than a month to go before the Feb 8 general election, concerns over vote-buying have intensified after new survey data suggested cash-for-votes remains widespread across the country.
Findings from the Zero Corruption working group, a collaboration between the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Bankers’ Association, show that vote-buying varies by region, with Bangkok and its surrounding provinces recording the highest payments.
Based on responses from 4,814 participants nationwide, the survey found that cash-for-votes offers in the capital and adjacent provinces range from as low as 100 baht to as high as 7,500 baht per voter, with an average of 1,169 baht per head.
In the North, offers ranged from 100 to 5,000 baht, averaging 1,076 baht. In the South, payments ranged from 200 to 5,000 baht, with an average of 872 baht, while the Central Plains recorded an average of 855 baht, with offers between 100 and 5,000 baht.
The survey also found that about 72% of respondents said they would not vote for candidates who offered money, compared with 28.1% who said they might still do so. Although 69% said they would refuse money offered in exchange for their vote, 18% admitted they would accept it and vote for the candidates involved.
Political observers say vote-buying remains a nationwide phenomenon, with payment offers often depending on how competitive individual constituencies are. The findings have raised questions about how effective existing measures have been in curbing the practice.
Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary-general of the Election Commission (EC), said the commission is aware of the findings and has stepped up measures to prevent vote-buying to ensure a fair election.
The EC has classified constituencies by risk level, designating “red zones” as areas where competition is intense and election law violations are more likely. Such areas, he said, are found in all regions.
Rapid response units have been set up to work in coordination with provincial authorities and local administrative bodies. These teams are tasked with monitoring high-risk areas and tracking the activities of listed canvassers.
The commission has also established an “e-War Room” to monitor election-related activity on social media platforms, including Facebook, around the clock for content that may breach election laws or signal illicit practices. Political parties and the public are encouraged to submit complaints or information on suspected vote-buying directly to the commission.
Despite the prevalence of vote-buying, the EC secretary-general expressed confidence that a higher voter turnout could reduce its impact. Turnout in the 2023 election reached 75%, and participation could be even higher this time, driven by heightened political awareness.
“If more people come out to vote, the influence of vote-buying will be reduced,” he said.
However, views from the field are less optimistic.
Thepthai Senpong, a former Democrat MP from Nakhon Si Thammarat, said his recent visits to southern provinces suggest that vote-buying is widespread, citing the recent local elections for tambon administrative organisations (TAOs) on Jan 11.
Based on information he gathered, payments for TAO chief candidates reached about 3,000 baht per voter, while offers for TAO members averaged around 1,000 baht. Given those figures, he said, it would not be surprising if similar or higher payments emerge in the general election.
“In constituencies where competition is tight, offers could easily rise to 2,000 baht per vote or more,” he said.
Mr Thepthai said the Zero Corruption survey’s findings of payments as high as 7,500 baht per vote are more likely to apply to smaller-scale contests, such as municipal or local administrative elections, where the electorate is limited and outcomes can hinge on a handful of votes.
“In a small race with a win decided by a few voters, candidates may be willing to pay 10,000 baht per vote if that is what it takes to win,” he said.
Preparations for vote-buying are already under way in several areas ahead of the general election, Mr Thepthai added.
In some districts, local leaders have already distributed 1,000 baht per voter, while in others they have reportedly met with canvassers to coordinate support for particular parties, with targets set as high as 6,000 votes.
The former MP expressed scepticism about repeated calls for higher turnout as a way to curb vote-buying. Voters are urged not to sell their votes in every election cycle, yet the data suggest the practice continues almost everywhere.
What is needed, he said, is not more appeals to voters but stronger law enforcement.
“The EC must act more proactively … arrest offenders, prosecute them and send a clear message that vote-buying will not be tolerated,” he said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... ocrat-path
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Money politics still persist
January 24, 2026
With less than a month to go before the Feb 8 general election, concerns over vote-buying have intensified after new survey data suggested cash-for-votes remains widespread across the country.
Findings from the Zero Corruption working group, a collaboration between the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Bankers’ Association, show that vote-buying varies by region, with Bangkok and its surrounding provinces recording the highest payments.
Based on responses from 4,814 participants nationwide, the survey found that cash-for-votes offers in the capital and adjacent provinces range from as low as 100 baht to as high as 7,500 baht per voter, with an average of 1,169 baht per head.
In the North, offers ranged from 100 to 5,000 baht, averaging 1,076 baht. In the South, payments ranged from 200 to 5,000 baht, with an average of 872 baht, while the Central Plains recorded an average of 855 baht, with offers between 100 and 5,000 baht.
The survey also found that about 72% of respondents said they would not vote for candidates who offered money, compared with 28.1% who said they might still do so. Although 69% said they would refuse money offered in exchange for their vote, 18% admitted they would accept it and vote for the candidates involved.
Political observers say vote-buying remains a nationwide phenomenon, with payment offers often depending on how competitive individual constituencies are. The findings have raised questions about how effective existing measures have been in curbing the practice.
Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary-general of the Election Commission (EC), said the commission is aware of the findings and has stepped up measures to prevent vote-buying to ensure a fair election.
The EC has classified constituencies by risk level, designating “red zones” as areas where competition is intense and election law violations are more likely. Such areas, he said, are found in all regions.
Rapid response units have been set up to work in coordination with provincial authorities and local administrative bodies. These teams are tasked with monitoring high-risk areas and tracking the activities of listed canvassers.
The commission has also established an “e-War Room” to monitor election-related activity on social media platforms, including Facebook, around the clock for content that may breach election laws or signal illicit practices. Political parties and the public are encouraged to submit complaints or information on suspected vote-buying directly to the commission.
Despite the prevalence of vote-buying, the EC secretary-general expressed confidence that a higher voter turnout could reduce its impact. Turnout in the 2023 election reached 75%, and participation could be even higher this time, driven by heightened political awareness.
“If more people come out to vote, the influence of vote-buying will be reduced,” he said.
However, views from the field are less optimistic.
Thepthai Senpong, a former Democrat MP from Nakhon Si Thammarat, said his recent visits to southern provinces suggest that vote-buying is widespread, citing the recent local elections for tambon administrative organisations (TAOs) on Jan 11.
Based on information he gathered, payments for TAO chief candidates reached about 3,000 baht per voter, while offers for TAO members averaged around 1,000 baht. Given those figures, he said, it would not be surprising if similar or higher payments emerge in the general election.
“In constituencies where competition is tight, offers could easily rise to 2,000 baht per vote or more,” he said.
Mr Thepthai said the Zero Corruption survey’s findings of payments as high as 7,500 baht per vote are more likely to apply to smaller-scale contests, such as municipal or local administrative elections, where the electorate is limited and outcomes can hinge on a handful of votes.
“In a small race with a win decided by a few voters, candidates may be willing to pay 10,000 baht per vote if that is what it takes to win,” he said.
Preparations for vote-buying are already under way in several areas ahead of the general election, Mr Thepthai added.
In some districts, local leaders have already distributed 1,000 baht per voter, while in others they have reportedly met with canvassers to coordinate support for particular parties, with targets set as high as 6,000 votes.
The former MP expressed scepticism about repeated calls for higher turnout as a way to curb vote-buying. Voters are urged not to sell their votes in every election cycle, yet the data suggest the practice continues almost everywhere.
What is needed, he said, is not more appeals to voters but stronger law enforcement.
“The EC must act more proactively … arrest offenders, prosecute them and send a clear message that vote-buying will not be tolerated,” he said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... ocrat-path