Don't ignore local pollsListen to this articleOn Sunday, 47 million voters across 76 provinces will elect mayors and legislators for 4,994 so-called "Or Bor Tor". Usually located in rural areas, TAOs manage basic public services such as tap water, small local roads, garbage collection, and sanitation. Much of the public's attention is focused on the national election scheduled for Feb 8. These reforms are part of a broader effort by political parties to decentralise administrative power and resources from the central government to local authorities. The hope is that a new government and Lower House in Bangkok will fast-track these four laws and other policies to give local administrations like TAOs and local municipalities more power and resources.

Source: Bangkok Post January 08, 2026 18:39 UTC