Bhumjaithai Party Leads Thai Election; Constitutional Reform Supported

Thailand's Bhumjaithai Party, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has emerged as the front-runner in the country's general election, securing 195 out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives, according to unofficial results with 90% of votes counted. This falls short of the 251-seat majority required to form a government independently, indicating that coalition-building will be necessary.

The progressive People's Party follows with 114 seats, while the populist Pheu Thai Party holds 78 seats. People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut acknowledged the results, stating, "We acknowledge that we did not come first." He added, "We stand by our principle of respecting the party that finishes first and its right to form the government."

The election took place amid slow economic growth and rising nationalist sentiment. Bhumjaithai's campaign focused on economic stimulus and national security, tapping into nationalist fervor. The People's Party, successor to the dissolved Move Forward Party, had promised to curb the influence of the military and the courts, as well as break up economic monopolies.

In a concurrent referendum, approximately 60% of voters supported drafting a new constitution to replace the 2017 military-backed charter, signaling a desire for reforms favoring greater democratic representation.