Thailand’s conservative Bhumjaithai Party, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, scored a stunning and unexpected victory in the country’s general election on Sunday, February 8, 2026, upending pre-election forecasts and reshaping the nation’s political landscape.
Preliminary results from the Election Commission showed the party capturing around 194 of the 500 seats in the Lower House — far ahead of key rivals but still short of the 251-seat majority needed to govern outright.
The outcome reflects a decisive political shift toward conservatism amid rising nationalist sentiment and economic unease.
Just months after dissolving Parliament in December amid internal political pressures, Mr Anutin staked his leadership on early elections — a gamble that paid off.
The campaign leaned heavily on nationalist themes tied to ongoing tensions with Cambodia, where recent border clashes have heightened patriotic sentiment.
“Our victory is a victory for all Thais,” Anutin said at a press conference, adding that his party was open to working with other parties to form a stable government.
Coalition Politics and Constitutional Questions
Although Bhumjaithai leads comfortably, it will need partners to build a governing coalition.
Senior party officials are expected to enter negotiations with allied groups, including the Kla Party and others, to secure the at least 270 seats analysts say are required to govern without constant fragility.
The progressive People’s Party, which led polls in the lead-up to the election and dominated urban centers like Bangkok, conceded defeat.
Its leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, acknowledged the loss and confirmed the party will move into opposition, ruling out joining a government led by Anutin.
Voter turnout was estimated at around 65%, lower than in the previous 2023 election but reflecting ongoing public disengagement amid political fatigue and economic concerns.
Many voters cited economic stagnation, inflation, and rural infrastructure issues as top priorities in their decision-making.
Observers also pointed to Bhumjaithai’s effective “Blue Wall” strategy of consolidating conservative support in rural provinces and smaller cities—a move credited with expanding its base beyond traditional strongholds.
Referendum on Constitution
Alongside the parliamentary vote, Thai citizens approved a referendum to authorise work on a new constitution, potentially replacing the 2017 charter drafted under military influence.
Approximately 60% voted in favor of initiating the constitutional drafting process, signaling public appetite for structural change even amid a conservative surge.
The result marks the first major electoral triumph for a conservative royalist-aligned party in years and could herald a period of greater political stability after a string of leadership changes over the past three years.
However, deep ideological divisions and rivalries between urban reformists and rural conservatives remain potent forces in Thai politics.
Final official results and the shape of the new governing coalition are expected to be confirmed in the coming week.
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