BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Cabinet has approved the wording of a referendum question proposed by the government and forwarded it to the Election Commission (EC), expressing hope that the referendum can be held on the same day as the next general election to reduce costs.
Anutin said the Cabinet’s decision aligns with earlier legal guidance and was made to ensure full compliance with a Constitutional Court ruling. He warned that failure to correct the wording could lead to legal ambiguity and confusion after the vote.
“If the question is not legally sound and people have already voted, it could force a repeat referendum,” Anutin said, adding that there is sufficient time to proceed correctly with consensus from all relevant bodies.
Responding to questions about whether the referendum would be held alongside the House of Representatives election scheduled for February 8, 2026, Anutin said the final decision rests with the EC. However, he noted that the Cabinet supports holding both votes on the same day for convenience and cost savings.
“The estimated cost is around 4 billion baht, and we do not want to waste public funds unnecessarily,” he said.
On political implications, Anutin acknowledged that if a referendum on revoking MOUs 43 and 44 cannot proceed, the Bhumjaithai Party may instead adopt the issue as part of its election campaign platform.
“It is possible. The party has been clear on its stance regarding this matter,” he said. (TNA)
