Thailand’s ruling Bhumjaithai Party declared victory on Sunday night in the country’s lower house election, as vote counting neared completion and projections showed a wide gap between the conservative-led government and its rivals. The outcome makes it highly likely that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will retain power following a snap election that tested the balance between conservative and progressive forces in Thai politics.
Speaking at an evening news conference, Anutin thanked voters for delivering what he described as a clear mandate. He said the result reflected public trust in Bhumjaithai’s ability to govern and pledged that the party would work on behalf of all Thai citizens. His remarks came shortly after the reformist People’s Party, the main opposition force, formally conceded defeat.
People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut acknowledged that his party had failed to secure the top position. While expressing respect for the parliamentary system and voters’ decision, he said the party was prepared to serve as the opposition if Bhumjaithai succeeded in forming a government, signaling an orderly transition rather than a prolonged political standoff.
With about 80% of polling stations reporting by late evening, real-time data from the Election Commission showed Bhumjaithai projected to win close to 180 of the 400 constituency seats. This placed it far ahead of its competitors, including the People’s Party and the Pheu Thai Party, a major opposition group aligned with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. At that stage of counting, Bhumjaithai was expected to prevail in around 80 constituencies, while Pheu Thai was leading in roughly 60.
The picture was more mixed in the proportional representation vote, which determines 100 additional seats. The People’s Party led that tally with 27% of the vote, compared with 17% for Bhumjaithai and 16% for Pheu Thai. Even so, the strong showing in constituency races gave the ruling party a decisive overall advantage.
Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat told reporters that his party anticipated winning between 80 and 100 seats in total. He stressed that Pheu Thai would respect democratic principles and the will of voters, adding that the party would perform its duties to the best of its ability regardless of whether it joined the government or remained in opposition.
Sunday’s election saw widespread participation, with about 52.9 million eligible voters casting two ballots each at more than 99,000 polling stations nationwide. One vote was for a constituency candidate and the other for a party list. Polls closed at 5 p.m. after a campaign shaped by Anutin’s decision to dissolve the lower house in December and call a snap election.
The contest largely pitted conservative and establishment-backed forces against reformist and progressive movements. Bhumjaithai drew support from conservative voters, royalists, and the pro-military camp, and emphasized nationalist themes during its rallies, particularly in the context of ongoing border tensions with Cambodia. The party also highlighted experienced cabinet members, including the finance and commerce ministers, to underscore its governing credentials.
Anutin argued that Bhumjaithai’s record in delivering policies and understanding public concerns was central to its success. He said voters had rewarded the party’s hard work and responsiveness to their expectations, framing the result as an endorsement of continuity and stability.
For the People’s Party, the election marked a setback after its predecessor, the Move Forward Party, won the most seats in 2023 but was unable to form a government. This time, the party softened its confrontational stance toward powerful institutions in Thai politics. Pita Limjaroenrat, the former Move Forward leader who is now barred from politics, appeared at campaign rallies to support People’s Party candidates.
Despite Bhumjaithai’s strong performance, the final outcome does not automatically determine the next prime minister. Under Thailand’s system, at least 251 members of the lower house must back a candidate in a parliamentary vote. Anutin said it was too early to outline the structure of a future ruling coalition, noting that discussions would begin only after official results are confirmed and internal party deliberations are completed.
