Bangkok advance voting draws high turnout at 87%

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of advance voting in the capital on Sunday, which saw about 87% of registered advance voters turn out.

Narong Ruangsri, the permanent secretary of the city administration, told the media today that of the 845,853 eligible voters who registered to cast their ballots in advance outside their constituencies, 740,966 actually voted, representing a turnout rate of 87.60%.

Meanwhile, 2,650 out of 2,747 voters — or 96.47% of those who registered to vote in advance within their constituencies — also turned out.

Polling venues that recorded turnout rates of more than 90% were:

• Nong Khaem District Office: 10,953 of 11,893 registered voters (92.10%)
• Samphanthawong District Office: 2,106 of 2,305 registered voters (91.37%)
• Phra Nakhon District Office: 5,188 of 5,717 registered voters (90.75%)
• Siam Technology College, Bangkok Yai District: 8,017 of 8,835 registered voters (90.74%)
• Ratchathewi District Office: 20,268 of 22,403 registered voters (90.47%)

Narong said the ballots were delivered by Thailand Post to the constituencies where voters have their official residences and will be counted together with ballots cast on Election Day on February 8.

He added that the city administration had gathered feedback via social media on Sunday regarding the performance of city officials in managing the advance voting process.

Most respondents expressed satisfaction, particularly with the convenience of the process, although some complained about traffic congestion around certain polling stations, he said.