Thailand Takes First Step to Replace Military-Era Constitution

Electoral officials prepare to open ballot boxes at a polling station during Thailand’s general election in Bangkok, Thailand, on Feb. 8.Photographer: Valeria Mongelli/Bloomberg

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February 8, 2026 at 4:57 PM UTC

The majority of Thais voted in favor of replacing the country’s military-drafted constitution in a referendum, a move that could open the door to deeper political reform even though the main party backing the push came second in Sunday’s election.

More than 18.4 million voters, or 60%, backed a new charter compared to 32% who voted to keep the current version, according to Election Commission data at about 90% of the votes counted. Supporters of the rewrite won majorities in nearly 70 of Thailand’s 77 provinces, with Bangkok seeing the biggest share of approval.