A coalition government led by Anutin Charnvirakul has been finalised with a combined 300 seats in the House, according to reports by Khaosod on Friday. The government will be headed by the Bhumjaithai Party with 193 seats, joined by the Pheu Thai Party with 74 seats and smaller parties totalling 33 seats. The United Thai Nation Party, which holds two seats, will not join the coalition.

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This configuration leaves the opposition bloc with 200 seats. The opposition will comprise the People’s Party with 118 seats, the Kla Tham Party with 58 seats, the Democrat Party with 22 seats and the United Thai Nation Party with two seats. The coalition’s 300-seat total is reported to have been capped on the basis that it provides sufficient stability in the House.

Sources said party leaders also wanted to project a streamlined image for the new administration. Bringing in additional parties would require allocating more ministerial quotas, potentially affecting the core party, Bhumjaithai, which holds 193 MPs. Five Cabinet posts have been earmarked for non-MPs.

The five reported non-MP appointees are Sihasak Phuangketkeow as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Suphajee Suthumpun as Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, and Ekniti Nitithanprapas as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. Bowornsak Uwanno is set to serve as Deputy Prime Minister overseeing legal affairs, while Predee Daochai is expected to take the role of Energy Minister.

Pheu Thai is set to hold five ministries: Agriculture and Cooperatives; Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; Education; Labour; and Social Development and Human Security. It remains unclear whether Yoschonan Wongsawat, Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate, will take a Cabinet position, with the decision left to the party.

Khaosod reported that the formation of the coalition marks a significant development following the election, establishing a clear majority in the House. Attention now turns to the formal appointment process and the allocation of portfolios as the new administration prepares to assume office.

Key Takeaways

• Anutin Charnvirakul’s coalition commands 300 seats, leaving a 200-seat opposition bloc.

• Five Cabinet positions have been allocated to non-MPs in senior economic, legal and foreign affairs roles.

• Pheu Thai will control five ministries, with its prime ministerial candidate’s role still undecided.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now khaosod 21 Feb 2026

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Let the games begin.

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

Let the games begin.

They never ended.

Hopefully there will br new elections with different outcome

On the face of it, 300 seats in a 500-seat House gives the coalition led by the Bhumjaithai Party and Anutin Charnvirakul a clear working majority.

It’s comfortably over the 251 needed, while leaving a sizeable 200-seat opposition led by the People’s Party.

Capping the coalition at 300 also suggests they want stability without having to hand out too many cabinet posts.

The great unknown now is the legal challenges to the election. If the courts order re-runs or disqualifications in several constituencies, the numbers could shift.

While a few seat changes may not matter much, a larger block could narrow the margin and affect confidence in the final result.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The coalition’s 300-seat total is reported to have been capped on the basis that it provides sufficient stability in the House.

It's capped at 300 because nobody else wants to play with them.

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

They never ended.

I should have said, let this new game begin😉

These are great days we are living in, my friends. 🤣

Let us never forget the Prayuth Decimation. The economy is still recovering from a decade with Anutin as Deputy PM for the junta. He failed the people before. Why does anyone believe he will do any better this time? Has he learned anything? Does he care for average Thai any more now than he did before? Does he hate foreigners less now?

21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Let us never forget the Prayuth Decimation. The economy is still recovering from a decade with Anutin as Deputy PM for the junta. He failed the people before. Why does anyone believe he will do any better this time? Has he learned anything? Does he care for average Thai any more now than he did before? Does he hate foreigners less now?

Nothing we can do about it. Just have to wait and see how he/new Government pans out.

It's good to see Kla Tham have been left out. That's going to rile them, no fun being in the opposition.

Might have to go back to exporting flour to Australia.

Will the new government/coalition last until mid year?

17 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

On the face of it, 300 seats in a 500-seat House gives the coalition led by the Bhumjaithai Party and Anutin Charnvirakul a clear working majority.

It’s comfortably over the 251 needed, while leaving a sizeable 200-seat opposition led by the People’s Party.

Capping the coalition at 300 also suggests they want stability without having to hand out too many cabinet posts.

The great unknown now is the legal challenges to the election. If the courts order re-runs or disqualifications in several constituencies, the numbers could shift.

While a few seat changes may not matter much, a larger block could narrow the margin and affect confidence in the final result.

The game of Anutin is just to get as much parties at his side, not to govern but to be safe from the opposition... Now he is sure that he will have the majority and even if a few members are against petitions he still will have the majority.. Nothing to do with willing to govern, only own safety

This is a hugely tragic outcome for Thailand, and the Thai people. We must never forget this man was not only Deputy PM during the Prayuth administration and helped preside over the Prayuth Decimation of the economy which Thailand has barely recovered from, but he was also the chief of immigration at a time when there was rampant government xenophobia in Thailand. This man is beyond toxic and extremely incapable of leading the nation forward.

Not my place to disagree with any of the above. But just to mention , that I sat beside an educated Thai engineer on a bus between BKK and KK and he echoed a similar sentiment of support for Anutin and Phrayut that just played out in the February election.

So in a sense not surprising.

Dee mai dee ? To be seen.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

This is a hugely tragic outcome for Thailand, and the Thai people. We must never forget this man was not only Deputy PM during the Prayuth administration and helped preside over the Prayuth Decimation of the economy which Thailand has barely recovered from, but he was also the chief of immigration at a time when there was rampant government xenophobia in Thailand. This man is beyond toxic and extremely incapable of leading the nation forward.

Unfortunately still too many "old school" voters who just vote without thinking about the future or are swayed by the Bhat incentives handed out, this should change as the younger voters who are becoming a little more educated gradually increase in numbers - this was demonstrated in Bkk where the "other" party faired pretty well supported by the more intelligent voters.

It won't happen overnight and the opposition have to get a bit smarter - - but it will happen.

On 2/21/2026 at 5:42 PM, spidermike007 said:

Let us never forget the Prayuth Decimation. The economy is still recovering from a decade with Anutin as Deputy PM for the junta. He failed the people before. Why does anyone believe he will do any better this time? Has he learned anything? Does he care for average Thai any more now than he did before? Does he hate foreigners less now?

My thoughts as well- let us see what happens- but I think we know what will likely happen

44 minutes ago, Legal Lifeline said:

My thoughts as well- let us see what happens- but I think we know what will likely happen

Maybe "we" don't know what will likely happen, so please enlighten us with your thoughts.

On 2/21/2026 at 4:00 PM, ikke1959 said:

Hopefully there will br new elections with different outcome

hopefully there will not be any new election or ay new outcome. this will do just fine , now let them get on with it

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

Unfortunately still too many "old school" voters who just vote without thinking about the future or are swayed by the Bhat incentives handed out, this should change as the younger voters who are becoming a little more educated gradually increase in numbers - this was demonstrated in Bkk where the "other" party faired pretty well supported by the more intelligent voters.

It won't happen overnight and the opposition have to get a bit smarter - - but it will happen.

is it possible to be anymore condescending, ? "more intelligent voters" younger voters becoming "more educated" Its nothing to do with what you want , or what you think "should have been" The Thais have voted and you should respect their decision.

Mods edit - trolling comment about US removed.

On 2/22/2026 at 8:42 AM, JimHuaHin said:

Will the new government/coalition last until mid year?

It will control the budget through FY 2027, so yes.

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

Unfortunately still too many "old school" voters who just vote without thinking about the future or are swayed by the Bhat incentives handed out, this should change as the younger voters who are becoming a little more educated gradually increase in numbers - this was demonstrated in Bkk where the "other" party faired pretty well supported by the more intelligent voters.

It won't happen overnight and the opposition have to get a bit smarter - - but it will happen.

I agree it will happen, it's just a matter of time, and the elite and the incredibly toxic powers that be are just simply putting it off as long as possible, as the money that's being made is astonishing, and they don't care one iota for the quality of life for the average Thai. The common man just doesn't count.

41 minutes ago, couchpotato said:

Maybe "we" don't know what will likely happen, so please enlighten us with your thoughts.

OK. The once all-powerful tiger of Southeast Asia will continue to slip into economic oblivion, as the economy shrinks, exports slip, foreign investments slip, and Thailand becomes ever dependent upon tourism as manufacturing becomes less central to the economy.

Anutin is not equipped for this job, and Thai governments along with many other governments continue to pick from the very bottom of the barrel, without any thought as to the importance of merit and experience in a position.

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This is a hugely tragic outcome for Thailand, and the Thai people. We must never forget this man was not only Deputy PM during the Prayuth administration and helped preside over the Prayuth Decimation of the economy which Thailand has barely recovered from, but he was also the chief of immigration at a time when there was rampant government xenophobia in Thailand. This man is beyond toxic and extremely incapable of leading the nation forward.

Well its obviously a huge disappointment for you,

"we must never forget......." I'm not quite sure who you mean by "we" is it just your fellow lefties or the entire expat community to whom you are issuing your orders

Foreigners can remember or forget as little about Anutins past performance as they wish, it will have no bearing on..well.... just about anything really , accepting that he will be PM again, would be the way forward, certainly better for ones mental health

He is , as all will see, as capable of "leading the nation forward" as anybody else, but whether the direction it moves in, is to your liking, or not, is a different matter and probably not very high on his list of "things to be worried about" as there is nothing you can do about it.

Conversely, if the direction he moves the country in is not the way the majority of the electorate wish for , then they will have the opportunity to vote him and or his government out at the next election, whenever that may be , if they feel strongly enough about the direction things are moving in

He has yet to do anything to upset the majority that 500 baht has not been able to "repair"

Just now, spidermike007 said:

Anutin is not equipped for this job, and Thai governments along with many other governments continue to pick from the very bottom of the barrel, without any thought as to the importance of merit and experience in a position.

Its actually amazing that they don't seek your advice on these matters, same goes for the Americans to eh? Have you thought of starting some sort of global consultancy, specialising in unwanted political advice? or even better a "foundation", ?

Just imagine , all the worlds problems sorted, and you'd make a fortune, the only issue would be you having nothing to moan about on here

And yesterday you accused me of being a "glass half empty kind of guy"

Off topic troll post removed @Bday Prang final warning, discuss the topic and stop just trying to bait other posters.

On 2/21/2026 at 4:13 AM, Georgealbert said:

A coalition government led by Anutin Charnvirakul has been finalised with a combined 300 seats in the House, according to reports by Khaosod on Friday. The government will be headed by the Bhumjaithai Party with 193 seats, joined by the Pheu Thai Party with 74 seats and smaller parties totalling 33 seats. The United Thai Nation Party, which holds two seats, will not join the coalition.

Get today's headlines by email

This configuration leaves the opposition bloc with 200 seats. The opposition will comprise the People’s Party with 118 seats, the Kla Tham Party with 58 seats, the Democrat Party with 22 seats and the United Thai Nation Party with two seats. The coalition’s 300-seat total is reported to have been capped on the basis that it provides sufficient stability in the House.

Sources said party leaders also wanted to project a streamlined image for the new administration. Bringing in additional parties would require allocating more ministerial quotas, potentially affecting the core party, Bhumjaithai, which holds 193 MPs. Five Cabinet posts have been earmarked for non-MPs.

The five reported non-MP appointees are Sihasak Phuangketkeow as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Suphajee Suthumpun as Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, and Ekniti Nitithanprapas as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. Bowornsak Uwanno is set to serve as Deputy Prime Minister overseeing legal affairs, while Predee Daochai is expected to take the role of Energy Minister.

Pheu Thai is set to hold five ministries: Agriculture and Cooperatives; Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; Education; Labour; and Social Development and Human Security. It remains unclear whether Yoschonan Wongsawat, Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate, will take a Cabinet position, with the decision left to the party.

Khaosod reported that the formation of the coalition marks a significant development following the election, establishing a clear majority in the House. Attention now turns to the formal appointment process and the allocation of portfolios as the new administration prepares to assume office.

Key Takeaways

• Anutin Charnvirakul’s coalition commands 300 seats, leaving a 200-seat opposition bloc.

• Five Cabinet positions have been allocated to non-MPs in senior economic, legal and foreign affairs roles.

• Pheu Thai will control five ministries, with its prime ministerial candidate’s role still undecided.

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now khaosod 21 Feb 2026

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Anyone planning on moving to Thailand???? Better think again now. This 🤡 hates anybody not Thai 🤷🏼

The usual suspects are out in force stewing in their bitterness that the only way their sainted progressives lost is because Thai voters were bought and paid for, or because the Thai electorate must be comprised of morons (who, not coincidentally, need the enlightenment of the AN white knights to show them the way), or because of corruption, or ... insert deflecting reasoning here.

The progressives didn't win... boo-frickin-hoo. The world is a better place whenever that happens, actually.