The Bhumjaithai Party led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to emerge as the largest party in Thailand’s general election, based on unofficial results released after about 94% of ballots were counted. According to the Thai Election Commission, the Bhumjaithai Party has won 174 House constituency seats, followed by the People’s Party with 87 and 58 for the Pheu Thai Party.
The party was projected to win around 193 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, marking the first clear victory for a conservative force in years. Voter turnout was about 65% amid slow economic growth and rising nationalism. Bhumjaithai will need coalition partners to reach the 251-seat majority required to form a government. The progressive People’s Party placed second with 118 seats, while Pheu Thai trailed with 74. A referendum held alongside the vote showed strong support for beginning a new constitution-drafting process.
