Advance voting in Chiang Mai’s Constituency 1 began with a strong turnout on 1st February 2026, as voters arrived early at the 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Many said they came before polls opened at 8am to avoid traffic congestion later in the morning.
The Chiang Mai Election Commission deployed Territorial Defence volunteers and student volunteers to assist voters with checking registration details and locating polling stations, helping ensure an orderly and efficient process. After voting commenced at 8am, voters steadily cast their ballots without incident. Most reported no difficulty understanding the process, despite this year’s election being held alongside a national referendum.
Kittithee Butkham, a political science student at Chiang Mai University, was the first voter to arrive at 6.30am. Voting for the first time, he said he hoped his ballot would contribute to national change, calling on the next government to address economic pressures, online scams, corruption, and unresolved Thai–Cambodian border issues.
Chiang Mai has 10 constituencies and 2,789 polling stations, with 1,354,271 eligible voters—an increase of 26,788 from the 2023 election. More than 91,000 voters registered for advance voting, with Constituency 1 recording the highest number at 50,169. Special polling facilities were also provided for elderly voters at Ban Waitong Niwet Welfare Centre in Mae Taeng district.
The provincial Election Commission said preparations were fully in place, with venues, equipment, and polling officials ready ahead of time. Voter turnout is projected at 83 per cent, up from 81.98 per cent in 2023, while the number of invalid ballots is expected to fall to three per cent. Two complaints related to improper campaigning are currently under investigation.
