Thailand Floods Could Delay Election Court Ruling: What We Know

Thailand’s cabinet approved special holidays for civil servants in Bangkok and three surrounding provinces on Sept. 28 and 29 after heavy rain caused widespread flooding in the capital, raising questions about whether the disruption could affect a Constitutional Court ruling on the validity of ballots used in February’s general election.

The court later confirmed that it would proceed with the ruling as scheduled on Sept. 28.

On Saturday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration declared the capital to be a disaster-affected area since nearly 300 millimeters of rain had fallen within a period of 48 hours.

Major roads were flooded and some vehicles were left partway in the water, while in parts of the city the water levels dropped on Sunday as the rainfall decreased. Some residents stayed behind in the flooded areas.

The government stated that the special holidays had been set up “in order to reduce travel and alleviate traffic disruptions for the public”, although it allowed important official business to go on as decided by the heads of each agency.

Court Ruling Remains Scheduled

The Constitutional Court will hear the oral arguments, consider and vote on the ballot case on Monday, the ruling being scheduled for 2 p.m. according to the court’s most recent timetable.

The case is about the use of barcodes and QR codes on the ballots in the general election on Feb. 8. The people who have submitted the petition claim that the codes might enable voters and their ballots to be identified, which raises issues regarding Thailand’s constitutional obligation to ensure secret voting.

The proceedings were first scheduled for Sept.28, but this was before the cabinet declared the special holidays. On Sept. 27, the court stated that the proceedings would stay on the original schedule since the hearing had been fixed in advance and delaying it might have an effect on other cases that were already scheduled until October.

Ombudsman Referred Ballot Case to Court

The case was referred to the Constitutional Court by the Ombudsman under Section 213 of Thailand’s 2017 Constitution after complaints were filed over the design and printing of ballots used in the Feb. 8 election.

The court accepted the case in March and subsequently heard testimony from five witnesses. It also arranged for an inspection of the election materials, including the ballots, the unused ballots, the voter lists and other materials related to the election.

The court is concentrating on whether the ballot design adhered to the constitutional guarantees of voting secrecy and whether any breach of those guarantees would have had an effect on the February election.

The Election Commission has maintained that ballot secrecy was not compromised.

During the proceedings, the commission and its officials were asked to provide information and explanations concerning the ballot design and the procedures used to store and handle election materials.

The court also heard testimony from officials and representatives connected with the production and management of the ballots.

The court’s ruling will determine how the constitutional questions raised by the petition are resolved. Any consequences for the February election will depend on the court’s decision.

Ballot Case Could Affect Election Validity

Thailand held its general election on Feb. 8 after parliament was dissolved in late 2025. Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul was subsequently elected prime minister by the House of Representatives on March 19, receiving 293 votes. He was formally appointed for a second term on March 20.

The ballot case comes as the government formed after the February election remains in office.

The central issue before the court is whether the use of barcodes and QR codes on the ballots complied with the constitutional requirement that voting be conducted by secret ballot. The court’s decision could clarify the legal status of the ballot system used in the election and any resulting implications.

Flooding and Court Schedule

The heavy rain, which led to the special holidays, caused considerable disruption all over Bangkok.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration stated that the city had received almost 300 millimetres of rain over a period of 48 hours by Saturday, the eastern districts being the most affected. In order to deal with the situation, the authorities set up temporary shelters and carried out drainage in the flooded areas as the rainfall diminished.

Even though it was a government holiday, the Constitutional Court stated that its proceedings on Sept. 28 would take place as originally planned.

The court is set to discuss the case and cast its votes in the morning before announcing its decision at 2 p.m. The focus shifts to the court’s decision in the ballot case and the legal consequences.