It is a massive day for Thailand. You’ve caught the news right as it’s happening—today, **Sunday, February 8, 2026**, more than 50 million Thais are heading to the polls for a high-stakes double feature: a **General Election** and a landmark **Constitutional Referendum**.
This is the first time in Thailand's history that a national referendum is being held alongside a general election. Here is a breakdown of what’s happening on the ground:
## The General Election: A Three-Way Battle
Following a period of intense "leadership churn"—including the removal of two Prime Ministers by court orders in just the last two years—the country is voting for a new 500-member House of Representatives.
* **People’s Party:** The reformist successor to the dissolved Move Forward Party. Led by **Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut**, they are currently leading in the polls, especially among younger voters.
* **Bhumjaithai Party:** Led by the incumbent caretaker Prime Minister **Anutin Charnvirakul**. They are leaning into a platform of national sovereignty and defense, particularly following recent border tensions with Cambodia.
* **Pheu Thai Party:** The populist party associated with the Shinawatra family. With former PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra recently ousted by the court and Thaksin Shinawatra currently imprisoned, they are fighting to regain their footing under **Yodchanan Wongsawat**.
## The Referendum: Tearing Up the 2017 Charter?
Voters are receiving a third ballot paper today specifically for the referendum. They are being asked a single, principle-based question: **"Do you agree that there should be a new constitution?"**
* **The Goal:** To replace the 2017 Constitution, which was drafted under military rule following the 2014 coup. Critics argue the current charter was designed to bake in the influence of unelected bodies (like the Senate and Constitutional Court) over elected governments.
* **The Catch:** Even if "Yes" wins today, it’s only the first step. The Constitutional Court has ruled that a total of **three referendums** are required before a new constitution can be fully adopted. Today's vote simply gives the new parliament a mandate to start the years-long drafting process.
## Why Today is Different
Unlike the 2023 election, the **junta-appointed Senate no longer has the power to vote for the Prime Minister**. This means the 500 elected MPs in the House of Representatives will, for the first time in years, have the final say on who leads the country.
Polling stations close at **5:00 PM local time**, and unofficial preliminary results are expected late tonight.
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