Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party wins 193 seats in a surprise election surge, triggering coalition talks as rivals refuse alliance and voters back rewriting the post-coup constitution.
WEBDESK – MediaBites
Thailand is heading into intense coalition negotiations after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party secured a stronger-than-expected victory in the general election, reshaping the country’s conservative political landscape.
With about 94 percent of ballots counted, Bhumjaithai won 193 seats in the 500-member parliament, comfortably ahead of rivals, according to election commission data calculations. The opposition People’s Party finished second with 118 seats, while Pheu Thai came third with 74.
Financial markets reacted positively to the result, with Thai stocks rising around 3 percent to their highest level in more than a year as fears of prolonged instability eased.
Anutin, who called the election less than 100 days after taking office, described the outcome as “a victory for all Thais” and said he would seek a strong majority government once final results are confirmed.
Nationalism shapes the campaign
The campaign was heavily influenced by nationalist sentiment following a three-week border conflict with Cambodia in December. Analysts say the tensions consolidated conservative voters behind Bhumjaithai and weakened the once dominant Pheu Thai party linked to the Shinawatra family.
Anutin pledged to continue hardline policies, including building a wall along the Cambodian border, strengthening the military, and keeping checkpoints closed.
“We need a strong government,” he said in a televised interview, reaffirming security-focused priorities.
Coalition hurdles ahead
Despite the win, Bhumjaithai does not have an outright majority and must partner with smaller parties. The left-leaning People’s Party has already ruled out joining an Anutin-led coalition, making negotiations more complicated.
Smaller parties collectively hold more than 100 seats and could become kingmakers in the coming days.
Constitutional change backed
Alongside the election, voters supported amending the constitution introduced after the 2014 military coup. Nearly two-thirds favored rewriting the charter, which critics say gives excessive power to the unelected Senate.
However, the reform process could take at least two years and requires two additional referendums before implementation.
Political analysts say the coming weeks will determine whether Thailand moves toward stability under a conservative coalition or faces renewed parliamentary gridlock.
