2 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

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.

I said some time ago that PTP are finished getting plenty of thumbs down and laughing emojis. Sure seems that I was correct.

BJT's clear election victory may now succeed in bringing a more stable coalition and end a painful period of prolonged political turmoil instability that has wreck the economy and polarized the country. Anutin may well be the second Prime Minister to serve up his full term of 4 years in Thailand political history. A stable government will be enormously beneficial to the economy and will served as a template for future elections.

Surging nationalism, absorbing large number of defectors from various parties, Phue Thai mis-handling the Cambodia crisis and People Party's anti-military stance have given BJT a relatively easy path to victory. As the incumbent government, BJT also have the government machineries working for them.

I hope that the coalition government will consist of BJT, Phue Thai and the Democrat Party and leave out Klatham Party. It will bring together the conservatives and the royalists which will provide stability to the government.

Brings to mind the quote "If you want an argument against democracy have a 10 minute conversation with the average voter " 🙄

30 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

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.

As the news articles showed their gains in the border region provinces. As a hardcore PT supporter I’m disappointed by the outcome but accept it nonetheless.

Suggest all the PP supporters to come out of denial as well and accept defeat graciously.

Anutin lost Hat Yai.

But it's the same characters every time, they just jump parties, the incumbent was elected in 2023, by just 168 votes, then standing as a United Thai candidate, he later joined Bhumjaithai and was standing as the Bhumjaithai candidate this year; he's going to finish third. The Democrats make a return.

2026 Results for Songkhla District 2

https://www.thaipbs.or.th/election69/result/en?tab=summary

2023 Results for Songkhla District 2

https://election66.thaipbs.or.th/result/en/geo/areas/9002

42 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

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

 

 

I think the picture can't be more clear. City people want People's Party. Rural people follow the money if I'm allowed to write that

Just now, CLW said:

I think the picture can't be more clear. City people want People's Party. Rural people follow the money if I'm allowed to write that

Correct. They are also more likely to fall for nationalist rhetoric. Wife's mother voted BJT and money was the number one reason.

UPDATE

Pathum Thani Protest Calls for Recount Over Alleged Poll Flaws

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

Hundreds of students and residents gathered at a polling station in Pathum Thani late on Sunday night, alleging irregularities in the vote-counting process and demanding a recount. The protest followed claims that members of the public were barred from observing the count and that CCTV cameras were covered, raising concerns about transparency.

The demonstration took place at around 9.00pm on 8 February 2026 at the auditorium of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Khlong Hok campus, in Rangsit subdistrict, Thanyaburi district. The site was being used as a counting centre for advance ballots and overseas votes. More than 300 students and local residents assembled at the venue, confronting polling officials and recording video footage to document what they described as procedural irregularities.

Police officers from Thanyaburi and Khlong Ha police stations were deployed to maintain order during the protest. According to participants, tensions rose after a group of around six young observers attempted to enter the counting area but were stopped by a female official wearing a khaki uniform. The official reportedly cited concerns about disruption to operations and ordered the group to leave the area.

Protesters said that when the observers later requested to see the counting process, they were told that the ballots had already been counted and the boxes sealed, making any verification impossible. They also alleged that CCTV cameras inside the venue had been switched off and covered with black cloth during the counting process, further fuelling suspicion.

A female student representative, who asked that her surname be withheld, said the group understood that CCTV cameras might be turned off during polling hours between 8.00am and 5.00pm for voter privacy. However, she argued that once polling closed and counting began, the cameras should have been turned back on to ensure transparency. She questioned why the counting of advance and overseas ballots was conducted solely by civil servants, without public observers present at what she described as a critical stage of the process.

In response, Mr Pian Mansri, head of the investigation and political party affairs unit at the Pathum Thani provincial office of the Election Commission (EC), confirmed that complaints had been received regarding students being prevented from closely observing the count. He said he was not yet fully aware of all the facts, as the official accused of blocking observers no longer present and could not be contacted.

Khoasod reported that Mr Pian explained that the venue functioned both as a polling station during the day and as the district’s centre for counting advance ballots. He stressed that the provincial EC office does not have the authority to order a recount. Complaints must be formally submitted and forwarded to the seven EC commissioners, who have the sole authority to decide whether a recount should be conducted after reviewing the evidence.

Key Takeaways

• More than 300 people protested alleged irregularities at a Pathum Thani vote-counting centre.

• Protesters claimed observers were barred and CCTV cameras were covered during counting.

• Any decision on a recount rests with the central Election Commission, not provincial officials.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khoasod 2026-02-09

 

 

16 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Pathum Thani Protest Calls for Recount Over Alleged Poll Flaws

Doesn't matter if there's found to be "irregularities" across the nation the EC will rubber stamp the results.

5 hours ago, bannork said:

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

And, since a leopard cannot change its spots, BJT will welcome them to the trough fold.

5 hours ago, smedly said:

the foreign hater

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

hope I'm wrong

Oh, get over it can't you?

And put that bloody mask back on now!!!

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

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

The election results can be annulled. It has happened once before but that's because the opposition parties boycotted the election.

Any annulment of this election would be due to something quite massive, so the EC and CC will probably be happy not to stray far from their well-honed skills at banning parties and/or candidates. Anything beyond that would be filed as "too hard" so they'll stick with the small fry, if only to perpetuate the illusion of being relevant and necessary.

3 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

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.

Please elaborate about personal security.

3 hours ago, topt said:

Unfortunately has not surprised me at all.

I was hoping to be proved wrong ☹️

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

If any other party had been incumbent when the Cambodian conflict kicked off, it would have earned them the same votes brownie points as the Thai people are fiercely nationalist.

Pheu Thai shot themselves in the foot with what's tantamount to treasonous behaviour by their last PM with regard to Cambodia. However, even with their patriarch locked up, it didn't appear upset too many voters and accordingly, with their third-place finish they'll be the king makers (again).

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

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.

I believe the foreign observers are maybe only allowed to watch the vote in progress at some ballot boxes. They haven't been in each and every rural moobahn for the last couple or three weeks watching the surreptitious but inevitable envelopes changing hands, or the large tips being given, or overlooking getting something "extra" in one's change. They probably wouldn't recognise it if they were.

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

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.

The breakdown of party membership of those banned at the 11th hour doesn't indicate it would have impacted the result. Notably, there were NO People's Party candidates falling foul of that ruling.

Having said that, the NACC axe has yet to fall on the 44 PP members that are under investigation, including 24 MPs.

With Anutin back will weed be legal again?

Sad day for Thailand.

Unfortunately, to me that spells more economic pain, education system continues to flounder etc.

If the charismatic Pita had of still been around i think a very different result, but as the grubby 3 main other parties will all side with each other to get their snouts in the trough, its going to be very hard for PP to break the cycle.

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

The breakdown of party membership of those banned at the 11th hour doesn't indicate it would have impacted the result. Notably, there were NO People's Party candidates falling foul of that ruling.

Having said that, the NACC axe has yet to fall on the 44 PP members that are under investigation, including 24 MPs.

Not the point really. The point is it happened. This election has a reek about it.

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

The breakdown of party membership of those banned at the 11th hour doesn't indicate it would have impacted the result. Notably, there were NO People's Party candidates falling foul of that ruling.

Having said that, the NACC axe has yet to fall on the 44 PP members that are under investigation, including 24 MPs.

That axe could fall today.

Post making unsubstantiated claims @dinsdale this is the news section, not for your rumours and whispers.

thethaigerofficial

A vote recount in Pathum Thani’s District 7 saw the People’s Party defeat Bhumjaithai following protests over obstructed CCTV cameras. Students at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi demanded the review citing a lack of transparency.

The new count, conducted at 5am, reversed the initial results and confirmed a victory for the opposition. Academic Jessada Denduangboripant publicised the outcome and questioned the initial tally.

Observers are urging the Election Commission to examine other districts with similar procedural complaints. Legal action regarding the irregularities remains unconfirmed.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUhhfcAgYMj/

10 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

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!

I can't be the only person NOT surprised by the result.

Maybe living in Isaan gives me a broader perspective of the mood of the masses.

Democracy at work.

4 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

BJT's clear election victory may now succeed in bringing a more stable coalition and end a painful period of prolonged political turmoil instability that has wreck the economy and polarized the country. Anutin may well be the second Prime Minister to serve up his full term of 4 years in Thailand political history. A stable government will be enormously beneficial to the economy and will served as a template for future elections.

Surging nationalism, absorbing large number of defectors from various parties, Phue Thai mis-handling the Cambodia crisis and People Party's anti-military stance have given BJT a relatively easy path to victory. As the incumbent government, BJT also have the government machineries working for them.

I hope that the coalition government will consist of BJT, Phue Thai and the Democrat Party and leave out Klatham Party. It will bring together the conservatives and the royalists which will provide stability to the government.

Why would you let the camel get his nose in the tent.

If BJT wants to unite the country it will make an offer to the people's party and the Dems.

You can not ignore the metro vote as well the Dem leader has pull in the south and is part of the party that is royalist.

Remember PT got into this position because bjt walked. Thaksin would do the same thing.

2 hours ago, UbonEagle said:

Sad day for Thailand.

Unfortunately, to me that spells more economic pain, education system continues to flounder etc.

If the charismatic Pita had of still been around i think a very different result, but as the grubby 3 main other parties will all side with each other to get their snouts in the trough, its going to be very hard for PP to break the cycle.

Why sad? The people have spoken and made their choice.

That’s democracy for you plain and simple.

Rather than complain now’s the time to work together and bring the country forward.

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

I said some time ago that PTP are finished getting plenty of thumbs down and laughing emojis. Sure seems that I was correct.

Do not discount PTP and Thaksin. He has always managed to make a comeback over the decades.

BJT got just 10% last elections and look at them now. Politics shifts rapidly in Thailand.

PTP will be back! Watch this space

Just now, Hunz Kittisak said:

Why sad? The people have spoken and made their choice.

That’s democracy for you plain and simple.

You seem to have forgotten the last election. The people spoke then and we all know what happened. Let's wait and see just how "free and fair" this was. Candidates axed between pre-polling and the general election and the Pathum Thani District 7 recount which reversed a BJT large victory to a large defeat handing a large victory to PP should raise some doubts to the veracity of the overall process.

17 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

Why would you let the camel get his nose in the tent.

If BJT wants to unite the country it will make an offer to the people's party and the Dems.

You can not ignore the metro vote as well the Dem leader has pull in the south and is part of the party that is royalist.

Remember PT got into this position because bjt walked. Thaksin would do the same thing.

People Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has categorically stated at his party concession speech yesterday that the party will stay in as the opposition. The party has clear stance that they will not join BJT. BJT will avoid the reformist party if they want to have a stable coalition. I expect the BJT coalition will slow walk the charter amendment even if the charter referendum favour a change. Ahbisit also stated they will ready to serve as opposition. Nothing certain in politics and Dem Part and Phue Thai are no exceptions to consider joining the coalition government. Both parties have nothing to lose joining the coalition.

11 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

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.

Nah, it's all about cannabis

BJT wants it (gets more votes)

People and Pheu want to ban it (get less votes)

PS. My misses was formally a pro Thaksin activist, but was temped to vote BJT this election after Thaksins latest poop show.

Kaosod English suggests the cause of the loss to PP was their ill-fated decision to support Anutin for four months. Back then many said it was a mistake.