The general election on Sunday night delivered a major political upset, with unofficial results showing the conservative Bhumjaithai Party surging towards a massive victory. The outcome sharply reversed expectations and left the progressive People’s Party facing a significant setback, despite earlier polling predicting it would emerge as the largest party.

Unofficial tallies indicated that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party secured close to 200 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives. By contrast, the People’s Party was projected to win around 108 seats, far fewer than anticipated and well below its previous performance.

The result marked a dramatic turnaround from the last election, when the People’s Party finished first with 151 seats. The party had built its support on younger voters and urban constituencies, and had been widely expected to dominate the 2026 contest once again.

The People’s Party, led by Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, had moderated some policies previously seen as legally sensitive but remained popular in major cities. Despite nationwide losses, the party performed strongly in Bangkok, where it led in every constituency and was expected to win all 33 seats.

Speaking at the party headquarters, Natthaphong acknowledged the disappointment and accepted the unofficial results. “At this moment, we may not be the number one party,” he said, adding that the party would respect parliamentary principles and allow the leading party to form the government first.

He said the reasons behind voters’ decisions rested with the electorate and confirmed the party’s intention to continue its political work. Natthaphong stated that if Bhumjaithai forms the next government, the People’s Party would take on an opposition role and would not attempt to form a rival coalition.

Prime Minister Anutin described the outcome as a clear mandate from the public. “This victory belongs to the people, not only to the Bhumjaithai Party,” he said, pledging to administer the country, create prosperity, and solve national problems while upholding democracy under the constitutional monarchy.

Pheu Thai Party also lost ground, with projections showing it winning around 80 seats, down from 141 in the previous election. The party had nominated Yodchanan Wongsawat, nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its prime ministerial candidate.

Alongside the election, voters took part in a nationwide referendum on drafting a new constitution to replace the charter introduced after the 2014 military coup. Unofficial results showed more than 57% of voters supported drafting a new constitution.

Khoasod reported that the incoming government faces major challenges, including a severe economic slowdown with Thailand’s GDP growth projected to be the weakest among ASEAN countries. Heightened tensions with neighbouring Cambodia, following deadly clashes and the continued closure of land border crossings, will also test the next administration.

Key Takeaways

• Bhumjaithai Party is projected to secure close to 200 seats, emerging as the clear winner.

• The People’s Party fell to around 108 seats but dominated all 33 constituencies in Bangkok.

• A majority of voters backed drafting a new constitution in a nationwide referendum.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2026-02-09

 

 

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Well! What an unexpected outcome.

I’ve been around Thailand for half a century now, and this election is a real surprise.

I don’t think many would have predicted the BJT to have performed so well. Conversely, I can’t believe the People’s Party fared so poorly.

I believe the result is largely due to the border dispute with Cambodia. National pride seems to have pushed Thais toward their conservative security blanket rather than taking a risk with the more progressive options.

That said, no party governs alone here. So, as ever, coalitions will decide the real outcome. Even if BJT are the eventual winners, they’ll still have to compromise with others.

Regardless, it looks like Anutin is in a strong position to become the next PM, but the next few weeks of bargaining will tell us where things truly land (and assuming there are no legal challenges).

Even though the final result is still uncertain, I suspect the elite are quite content with how things have turned out!

Pheu Thai in 3rd place will be the kingmaker this time round.

PP faltered again but at least this time they only got themselves to blame

31 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Pheu Thai in 3rd place will be the kingmaker this time round.

PP faltered again but at least this time they only got themselves to blame

Being a naturally conservative party, Pheu Thai will of course join Bhumjaithai.

the foreign hater

lets see, my guess is he will utter a few words and completely destroy tourism in Thailand

hope I'm wrong

the people of Thailand did not vote for this or maybe they did,

Sad day for Thailand... Anyway I am wondering how the foreign observers think about the complicated ballots.. I hear that several people in my neighbourhood could not find the party and/or person they wanted to vote for. And how about the Supreme court that ruled for 49 candidates where not could be voted for although the previous weekend there were pre elections. IMO I think you can't change anything anymore once the voting started

Welcome Mr ex drug smuggler to the Bhumjaithai party.

Unofficial results from Thailand’s 2026 general election showed the Bhumjaithai Party emerging as the largest party in parliament, positioning its leader Anutin Charnvirakul to become the country’s 33rd prime minister, as the party moves toward forming a coalition with Thammanat Prompao’s Kla Tham Party and prepares for possible deal-making with the Pheu Thai Party in the coming weeks.

https://x.com/ThaiEnquirer/status/2020546951775981927

Anutin's been PM for only a few months and gets this massive turnaround from the last election. Don't know about everyone else but it doesn't sit right for me. Keep in mind he also controls the non-representative sham of a Senate corruptly "elected". There will be no new constitution. It's been the long game and I still wonder about who actually started the border conflict 'cause it sure seems to have worked for Anutin.

16 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

It's a massive turnaround that nobody saw coming.

Unfortunately has not surprised me at all.

I was hoping to be proved wrong ☹️

27 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

'cause it sure seems to have worked for Anutin.

Agreed. Irrespective of who/how it started it he seems to have handled it well as far as many Thai's are concerned.

By hook or by crook, the status quo has been maintained, yet again, for now.

I know my Thai friends working as government officials, including those in the military, are not happy with the result.

Thailand's recent "declines" seem set to continue.

For some of us, the question arises, move into a gated community, or move to another country - the increased cost of living and increasing risk to personal security are likely to be a growing concern.

Another chance missed by the Thai's to improve their country. With Anutin and PT coalition, nothing will change. The economy is in the toilet and tourism losing out to other SEA countries. For us foreigners, I don't see it getting worse, though it could, as we all know how Anutin considers us. The Cambodia border war was likely intensified to suit Anutin's aims of securing votes. Thais are fiercly patriotic so it was a sure fire winner.

FWIW: My Cambodian GF is going out of her mind worried about whether her Non-O visa extension will be renewed in June. I reassure her it should make no difference. I see the border war calming down now the election has been won. Hope I'm right on this.

This election only proves one thing, Thailand is doomed, and it's people voted for it. The government you elect is the government you deserve.

57 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

No they won't. They will go into coalition with BJT. As for PP only having themselves to blame could you explain this please? The way I see it is the border conflict and money given out to the public that led to the result. Mind you TIT and Anutin is corrupt so shenanigans in the electoral process can't be ruled out. It's a massive turnaround that nobody saw coming.

'Saying PP have only themselves to blame'- he might mean by letting Anuthin form a government, PP shot themselves in the foot, because once Bhumjaithai were in power, they persuaded 60 MPs from various parties to join them, obviously making them stronger for the looming election.

Then with the border conflict, Anuthin played the nationalist card.

Plus the leader of the PP, Nattapong, lacked Pita's charisma.

Posts making unsubstantiated accusations about the election process have been removed.

If you want to make claims that can be classed as defamation under Thai law, they will be removed.

This time you are going to someone you didn't vote for before you vote instead of after🤔

1 hour ago, topt said:

Agreed. Irrespective of who/how it started it he seems to have handled it well as far as many Thai's are concerned.

Nationalism is a good vote generator.

51 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

I know my Thai friends working as government officials, including those in the military, are not happy with the result.

i actually thought the opposite, that government employees and the military are happy with the elections because their positions have been strengthened ...

or am i making a mistake in my thinking here?

I never really pay attention but this year I did because family members were involved in the elections. The corruption is next level and at least in my area it seems to mostly be a matter of paying for votes and openly doing this with no concern. Some of the details of payments were beyond my imagination. I enjoy Thailand and its people and this will probably me my last thought on the election. It is what it is :)

Well, suprise suprise. Looks like the conservative elites, military, and nationalists have got their way yet again through a collection of underhand moves from using their stooges in the Supreme Court to making it as confusing as possible at polling stations to blatant vote buying to BJT jingoistic chest-beating BS and the brainwashed muppet slaves follow. The result was never in doubt, and even if PP had done better and got the most seats, they would be decimated by the serial petitioner and the bias of the Supreme Court afterwards with bans being handed out like candy.... which may well still happen just for good measure. This attitude of keeping everything the same so the 5% keep power and prosper is why Thailand has fallen behind and will continue to do so... not that the rich care as long as they are okay and have power.

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

This election only proves one thing, Thailand is doomed, and it's people voted for it. The government you elect is the government you deserve.

Well said so pls no more complaints

And western style type of protests like in the US is not welcome and not the Asian way.

This elections was won fair and square.

As a staunch Pheu Thai supporter I’m disappointed with the results but will respect it nonetheless.

I wonder where the foreign observers observed. The major cities is my guess. Thing is the major cities are orange. Once again BKK seems completely orange bar one electorate so not exactly the areas where electoral shenanigans will take place as the outcome was always going to be orange. Maybe what's happened is the PTP voters who abandoned the party saw the conservative/nationalist BJT as a better alternative than PP.

A fair enough election that nobody can dispute the results more or less reflect the will of the people. I suppose they’ll let Thaksin out of jail once the coalition deal making is done. Let’s hope the constitutional reform takes place unimpeded and Anutin governs sensibly. I assume the conflict with Cambodia will also wind up now. Will they let Yingluck come home?

7 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

This elections was won fair and square.

That's a brave call in the face of candidates being disqualified between pre-polling and the general election. Last time BJT won 71 seats. This time it's looking like around 194. If that doesn't raise some skepticism nothing will.

UPDATE

Bhumjaithai Sweeps Thai–Cambodian Border Provinces

Picture courtesy of Amarin

The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) has recorded a sweeping victory across key Thai–Cambodian border provinces following the 2026 general election, according to unofficial results released by the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) on 9 February 2026. The outcome consolidates BJT’s dominance in several eastern and north-eastern provinces and significantly weakens Pheu Thai’s presence in the border region.

The EC disclosed the preliminary results at around 08:00 on Monday. The figures cover seven provinces along the Thai–Cambodian frontier and are based on constituency-level tallies published on the commission’s website. While the results remain unofficial pending certification, they provide a clear early picture of shifting political support in the region.

In Buriram, all 10 parliamentary constituencies were won by Bhumjaithai, delivering a clean sweep for the party. The same outcome was recorded in Surin, where BJT captured all eight seats and in Chanthaburi, where the party won all three constituencies. In Trat, which has a single constituency, Bhumjaithai also secured the seat.

Sri Sa Ket, which has eight constituencies, saw Bhumjaithai win seven seats, with Pheu Thai taking the remaining one. In Ubon Ratchathani, the 11 seats were split among three parties: Thai Ruam Palang won four, Bhumjaithai won four and Pheu Thai secured three. Sa Kaeo’s three constituencies were divided between Palang Pracharath, which won two seats, and Kla Tham, which won one.

The results mark a sharp setback for Pheu Thai in the border provinces, where the party was left with a limited number of seats despite previously competing strongly in several areas. The outcome also highlights the consolidation of regional political bases by mid-sized parties, particularly Bhumjaithai, which has strengthened its foothold in provinces adjacent to Cambodia.

Amarin reported that election officials have reiterated that the announced figures are unofficial and subject to verification. The EC will continue checking ballots and resolving any complaints before formally endorsing the results and announcing the final allocation of seats.

Key Takeaways

• Bhumjaithai swept all seats in Buriram, Surin, Chanthaburi and Trat.

• Pheu Thai retained only four seats across seven border provinces.

• Results are unofficial pending formal certification by the EC.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin 2026-02-09

 

 

It already appears that there are quite strong feelings about the election result amongst forum members.

Regardless of who ends up forming the government, the fact that the People’s Party has emerged as a dominant, concentrated opposition force (especially in Bangkok and other urban centres) is genuinely positive for governance.

Having watched Thai politics for half a century, I’d argue that the most significant outcome of this weekend is not simply who won, but the focus of the parties that campaigned for constitutional reform. The electorate must have listened too, based on the result of the referendum.

The Prayut-era constitution of 2017 was explicitly designed to hamstring democratic choice and entrench military influence. With the appointed Senate gone and a newly elected House once again holding full authority, the door is now open for meaningful constitutional change.

I'm not saying it will happen, just that it is now possible!

5 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

PP faltered again but at least this time they only got themselves to blame

Ineed. Three key points for me where they stumbled 1) Not having a clear plan for moving social security out of government control 2) Hard stance against weed 3) Leader ranting/raving/shouting on stage using "impolite" language - didn't sit well with many who might have like Pita and Thanathorn before.

UPDATE

Pheu Thai Wiped Out in Chiang Mai as Rivals Take all Seats

Picture courtesy of Amarin

Pheu Thai has suffered a complete defeat in Chiang Mai following Thailand’s 2026 general election, losing every constituency in what was once regarded as its political heartland. Unofficial results released by the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) show the People’s Party winning six seats and the Kla Tham Party securing the remaining four across the province’s 10 constituencies.

The EC published the preliminary figures via its website at around 08:00 on 9 February 2026. At that point, more than 94.85% of votes had been counted in Chiang Mai, providing a near-complete picture of the outcome. The results are unofficial and subject to certification but indicate a decisive shift in voter support.

Chiang Mai has long been considered a stronghold of Pheu Thai and the wider Red Shirt movement. In the 2026 contest, however, the party failed to retain a single constituency seat in the province, marking a sharp reversal of its previous electoral fortunes. The defeat represents one of the most significant symbolic setbacks for Pheu Thai in this election cycle.

According to the unofficial tally, the People’s Party emerged as the largest winner in constituency races, taking six seats. This figure represents a reduction of one seat compared with the party’s performance in the 2023 election. Kla Tham made notable gains, capturing four constituencies and establishing a strong presence in the northern province.

In the party-list vote, the People’s Party led across all 10 constituencies in Chiang Mai. This indicates continued broad-based support for the party among voters, even as constituency-level competition intensified.

For comparison, the 2023 general election saw the then-Move Forward Party win seven constituency seats in Chiang Mai. Pheu Thai secured two seats in that election, while Palang Pracharath won one. The 2026 outcome therefore reflects both the erosion of Pheu Thai’s base and a reconfiguration of political competition in the province.

The EC has reiterated that all announced figures remain preliminary. Officials will continue verifying ballots, addressing any complaints, and completing administrative checks before formally endorsing the results and confirming the final distribution of seats.

Key Takeaways

• Pheu Thai failed to win any constituency seats in Chiang Mai in 2026.

• The People’s Party won six seats, while Kla Tham secured four.

• Results are unofficial, with more than 94.85% of votes counted.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin 2026-02-09

 

 

13 minutes ago, Jim Waldron said:

I'm not saying it will happen, just that it is now possible!

I believe for the constitution to be changed both houses still need to vote on it regardless of the referendum result. Being that Anutin's puppets have the majority in the Senate and he'll have a majority in the House of Reps I don't think it will happen.

Last December Anutin dissolved the parliament because he did not wanted to be grilled... Now he will become the new PM again. Is the opposition now again willing to grill him about the same issues of last December of is that not possible??