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Thailand’s ruling conservative party has secured a surprise victory in the country’s general election, meaning prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul is likely to remain in power.
The poll, held on Sunday, drew a turnout of about 65 per cent, lower than the 2023 election. It unfolded amid sluggish economic growth and a surge of nationalist sentiment following recent border tensions with Cambodia.
Thailand’s lower house is elected through a mixed system. Four hundred lawmakers are chosen directly in constituency contests, while 100 seats are allocated from party lists in proportion to votes cast on a separate ballot indicating party preference. The final distribution of list seats may still change.
The progressive People’s Party placed second with 118 seats, despite leading most pre-election surveys. It swept all constituencies in Bangkok and won most of those in surrounding provinces, and it topped the party-list vote with about 3.8 million more ballots than Bhumjaithai.
A collection of smaller parties won a combined 115 seats, according to Reuters calculations based on commission data.
Flooding and financial scandals had dented his popularity before the border dispute allowed him to recast himself as a wartime leader, campaigning on national security and economic stimulus.Voters also backed a proposal to change the constitution, with nearly two-thirds in favour of replacing a charter put in place after a 2014 military coup, which critics say gave too much power to an undemocratic senate.
It is expected to take at least two years to implement the new constitution, with two more referendums required to endorse the drafting process and the final text.
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