Unless something radically changes, Anutin, Thailand's current caretaker Prime Minister, and his Bhumjaithai Party has won the Thai election. He still must receive at least 251 votes from Thailand's House of Representatives, but there is virtually no doubt of that and Anutin will remain in power as Thailand's Prime Minister.
The political polls got it wrong. Based on the polls it looked like the People's Party was going to be a virtual shoo-in, but obviously when it came down to the actual voting, it was a different story. As Yogi Berra famously said, "It ain't over 'till it's over".
Anutin's party strongly supports sex worker rights. We will see what happens with that. I hope there will be positive results, but whatever happens, it won't be tomorrow morning.
Also, Anutin is a strong supporter of legalizing marijuana. It was his efforts that brought about legalization in the first place. It will be interesting to see how that goes because over 7000 marijuana shops have already been forced to close since Thailand has changed things around so that it is far more difficult to legally buy marijuana and recreational use is back to being illegal.
Thaksin's Pheu Thai won 67 seats compared to Anutin's 178 seats and People's Party 70 seats, so it looks like Thaksin's party is an "also ran" and Thaksin himself is either out of the picture completely or his grip on power is significantly diminished. To me, it looks like Thaksin is now mainly history. I wonder if now he thinks returning to Thailand only to end up in prison and lose his political power was a big mistake.
Apparently the majority of Thai voters prefer to retain the status quo. The election was peaceful and no serious incidents have been reported.
My personal expectation - again "everything changes, but nothing changes".
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Bhumjaithai Party has big lead, People’s Party concedes
Bhumjaithai leader Anutin acknowledges likely election win, as People's Party will let winner form coalition and remain in opposition
by Online reporters and Aekarach Sattaburuth
February 9, 2026
The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) of caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had a comfortable lead as vote counting continued on Sunday night, while the rival People’s Party leader admitted his party would not win the Feb 8 general election.
As of 9.54pm, the vote result dashboard of the Election Commission (EC) showed that Bhumjaithai was likely to win 178 House constituency MP seats, followed by 70 seats for the People’s Party, 67 for Pheu Thai and 59 seats for the Klatham Party. At the time, vote counting was 31% completed.
For party-list vote counting, People’s Party had 2.16 million votes, followed by Bhumjaithai on 1.66 million and Pheu Thai 1.54 million votes.
A source at Bhumjaithai said the party was likely to win the general election, followed by the People’s Party, Pheu Thai and the Klatham, led by leader Narumon Pinyosinwat and secretary-general Thamanat Prompow.
Based on early results, Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai and Klatham are likely to form the next stable government, holding more than 300 MPs combined.
Speaking to the press at the Bhumjaithai headquarters at 10.20pm, Mr Anutin said that early indications show his ruling party will likely win the largest share of the vote in the election.
Mr Anutin said he was grateful for every vote, accepted the trust placed in Bhumjaithai and pledged to serve all Thai people.
“We regard this as an order from the people, who want the party to help advance the country sustainably and solve the problems that trouble the people. We have received your signal clearly,” Mr Anutin said.
“We are ready to govern with honesty, uphold the democratic system with the King as Head of State, and act in the interests of the nation and the people.”
He declined to give details on government formation, saying the party’s executive committee will decide once vote counts are confirmed.
If current media figures hold, the public can expect the “pack of four” already announced to assume the roles named: Mr Anutin as prime minister, with Ekniti Nitithanprapas as deputy prime minister and finance minister, Suphajee Suthumpun as commerce minister and Sihasak Phuangketkeow as foreign affairs minister.
People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut conceded that it was unlikely his party could win the election and it would let the winner form the next government.
“We will be in the opposition because I earlier said that I would not vote for Bhumjaithai to lead the next government,” he said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/po ... y-concedes
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People’s Party concedes defeat, vows opposition role after vote
by THE NATION
February 8, 2026
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut conceded the People’s Party is not on track to win, backing the parliamentary process and pledging an opposition role.
People’s Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said late Sunday the party accepted unofficial results indicating it was unlikely to finish first, conceding defeat and preparing to take an opposition role if Bhumjaithai forms the next government.
He spoke at 9.45pm at the party’s headquarters in the Future Forward Building, where the party held a press conference after unofficial counts showed it running second behind Bhumjaithai.
Thanks voters, cites referendum momentum for new constitution
Natthaphong thanked Thai voters for turning out to cast ballots and take part in the referendum. While stressing the election results were not yet final, he said the referendum outcome appeared to be trending strongly towards public approval for drafting a new constitution.
He said every election was an effort to find a way forward for the country, and urged people to stay engaged in politics and continue exercising their rights.
Natthaphong acknowledged that the People’s Party “may not be the number one party” based on the latest unofficial results, and said the party would respect the parliamentary process by allowing the first-placed party to lead government formation.
Asked whether the party would join the government, Natthaphong said that if Bhumjaithai, as the lead party, can form a government, the People’s Party would serve as the opposition.
Rules out forming a rival coalition
He reiterated that the party had previously stated it could not vote for a Bhumjaithai prime ministerial candidate and could not join a government led by Bhumjaithai.
Pressed on whether the People’s Party would attempt to form a rival coalition, Natthaphong said it would not compete, repeating that the first-placed party should be given the first opportunity to form a government.
He also said the party had not been approached for coalition talks, adding that any formal approach would be the right of the top-ranked party first.
Calls on parties to respect referendum mandate
Natthaphong urged all political parties to honour the referendum result and move forward with drafting a new constitution in line with public will.
He noted that constitutional changes would require support beyond the lower house, including votes in the Senate, and said the public should watch how the next government proceeds after it is formed.
Party monitoring irregularity reports, wants evidence before action
Natthaphong said the party had received reports of irregularities in some areas, but said these could not be used as a blanket reason to reject the overall outcome. He said issues should be examined case by case, and the party was ready to pursue legal action if there was clear evidence of wrongdoing.
Supporters urged not to lose hope
He closed by urging supporters and the wider public not to lose hope in politics, calling on people to keep voting, keep monitoring politicians, and hold the next government to its promises.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/politics/40062285
Anutin and his Bhumjaithai Party wins the election - People's Party concedes
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Re: Anutin and his Bhumjaithai Party wins the election - People's Party concedes
Apparently the only place where the People's Party won a majority was Bangkok. Chiang Mai, for years the stronghold of the Pheu Thai party - Thaksin's party - went instead for Anutin. Pheu Thai won none of the Chiang Mai districts, meaning Thaksin is probably completely out of the political picture now.
Under Anutin's leadership, Thailand's Lese Majeste laws are likely to remain in place - no changes. And that means board rule 3 also remains in place.
Bhumjaithai Party Claims Landslide Victory in Thai 2026 General Election, Likely to Form Stable Coalition with Kla Tham Party
February 9, 2026
The centric conservative Bhumjaithai Party of incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has secured a stunning landslide victory over progressive and populist opponents in yesterday’s general election, winning 194 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, according to the latest unofficial tallies with over 95% of votes counted.
Detailed breakdowns released by the Election Commission show:
– Bhumjaithai Party: 175 constituency seats + 19 party-list seats = 194 total
– People’s Party: 85 constituency seats + 31 party-list seats = 116 total
– Pheu Thai Party: 60 constituency seats + 16 party-list seats = 76 total
– Kla Tham Party: 56 constituency seats + 2 party-list seats = 58 total
No party reached the 251 seats needed for an outright majority, but Bhumjaithai’s dominant performance with more than double its 2023 result positions it strongly to form the next government and shows that many Thais, especially outside of Bangkok, resonated with Anutin’s strong message of nationalism, economic stability, Thais first, and sovereignty that he had campaigned on.
Political analysts and party insiders say Bhumjaithai is now in advanced talks to form a coalition with the Kla Tham Party, led by Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow. The two parties together would command 252 seats, comfortably clearing the threshold for a stable administration without having to form uneasy partnerships with parties with different ideological values, a key issue in the past several governments.
Sources close to both camps describe the partnership as natural, citing shared conservative values, strong provincial networks, and a mutual interest in continuity on key issues such as border security, economic stability, and respect for the monarchy.
Prime Minister Anutin declared victory on Sunday evening, telling supporters at party headquarters: “This is the victory of all Thais who want stability, unity and real progress for our country.” He thanked voters and signalled readiness to begin coalition negotiations immediately. Meanwhile, the other major parties stated they would not try to form a minority coalition as it would go against the will of the Thai people and the mandate given, and would allow BhumJaiThai to form and lead the new government, which makes it nearly certain to see Anutin Charnvirakul be nominated and elected by an MP majority for a four year term as Prime Minister.
A striking feature of the results was the People’s Party’s uneven performance, leading to a significant drop from their 2023 success. The progressive party DID sweep Bangkok, winning the capital’s 33 constituency seats, and performed strongly on the party-list vote (securing 31 seats). However, it lost significant traction across much of provincial Thailand particularly in the Northeast, North and South, and especially in border areas affected by the Cambodia/Thailand conflict where pre-election momentum failed to translate into constituency wins.
Analysts attribute this to Bhumjaithai’s effective grassroots campaigning, residents in border areas feeling People’s Party would be unable to properly manage renewed conflict with Cambodia, controversial prior statements about the Royal Thai military which has seen renewed widespread popularity following the border conflict, and voter preference for continuity amid regional tensions and economic concerns. As a result, the People’s Party fell well short of the 140–150 seats many polls had predicted, finishing a distant second and losing many seats they had from their 2023 election.
Pheu Thai, once Thailand’s dominant populist force historically led by members of the Thaksin Shinawatra family, suffered a sharp decline to just 76 seats, its worst performance in decades and losing control of their previous stronghold Chiang Mai to a mix of People’s Party and Kla Tham.
With official certification by the Thai Election Commission expected within days, coalition talks are set to intensify. Bhumjaithai and Kla Tham are widely expected to form the core of the next government, although potentially with support from smaller parties, paving the way for Anutin Charnvirakul to continue as prime minister and deliver what he has called “a stable, united Thailand focused on the people’s real needs.”
https://thepattayanews.com/2026/02/09/b ... ham-party/
Under Anutin's leadership, Thailand's Lese Majeste laws are likely to remain in place - no changes. And that means board rule 3 also remains in place.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________Board Rule 3
3. There will be no posts commenting on any member of the Royal Family. Thailand has controversial Lese Majeste laws and allowing such posts would subject me to arrest. No thanks.
Bhumjaithai Party Claims Landslide Victory in Thai 2026 General Election, Likely to Form Stable Coalition with Kla Tham Party
February 9, 2026
The centric conservative Bhumjaithai Party of incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has secured a stunning landslide victory over progressive and populist opponents in yesterday’s general election, winning 194 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, according to the latest unofficial tallies with over 95% of votes counted.
Detailed breakdowns released by the Election Commission show:
– Bhumjaithai Party: 175 constituency seats + 19 party-list seats = 194 total
– People’s Party: 85 constituency seats + 31 party-list seats = 116 total
– Pheu Thai Party: 60 constituency seats + 16 party-list seats = 76 total
– Kla Tham Party: 56 constituency seats + 2 party-list seats = 58 total
No party reached the 251 seats needed for an outright majority, but Bhumjaithai’s dominant performance with more than double its 2023 result positions it strongly to form the next government and shows that many Thais, especially outside of Bangkok, resonated with Anutin’s strong message of nationalism, economic stability, Thais first, and sovereignty that he had campaigned on.
Political analysts and party insiders say Bhumjaithai is now in advanced talks to form a coalition with the Kla Tham Party, led by Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow. The two parties together would command 252 seats, comfortably clearing the threshold for a stable administration without having to form uneasy partnerships with parties with different ideological values, a key issue in the past several governments.
Sources close to both camps describe the partnership as natural, citing shared conservative values, strong provincial networks, and a mutual interest in continuity on key issues such as border security, economic stability, and respect for the monarchy.
Prime Minister Anutin declared victory on Sunday evening, telling supporters at party headquarters: “This is the victory of all Thais who want stability, unity and real progress for our country.” He thanked voters and signalled readiness to begin coalition negotiations immediately. Meanwhile, the other major parties stated they would not try to form a minority coalition as it would go against the will of the Thai people and the mandate given, and would allow BhumJaiThai to form and lead the new government, which makes it nearly certain to see Anutin Charnvirakul be nominated and elected by an MP majority for a four year term as Prime Minister.
A striking feature of the results was the People’s Party’s uneven performance, leading to a significant drop from their 2023 success. The progressive party DID sweep Bangkok, winning the capital’s 33 constituency seats, and performed strongly on the party-list vote (securing 31 seats). However, it lost significant traction across much of provincial Thailand particularly in the Northeast, North and South, and especially in border areas affected by the Cambodia/Thailand conflict where pre-election momentum failed to translate into constituency wins.
Analysts attribute this to Bhumjaithai’s effective grassroots campaigning, residents in border areas feeling People’s Party would be unable to properly manage renewed conflict with Cambodia, controversial prior statements about the Royal Thai military which has seen renewed widespread popularity following the border conflict, and voter preference for continuity amid regional tensions and economic concerns. As a result, the People’s Party fell well short of the 140–150 seats many polls had predicted, finishing a distant second and losing many seats they had from their 2023 election.
Pheu Thai, once Thailand’s dominant populist force historically led by members of the Thaksin Shinawatra family, suffered a sharp decline to just 76 seats, its worst performance in decades and losing control of their previous stronghold Chiang Mai to a mix of People’s Party and Kla Tham.
With official certification by the Thai Election Commission expected within days, coalition talks are set to intensify. Bhumjaithai and Kla Tham are widely expected to form the core of the next government, although potentially with support from smaller parties, paving the way for Anutin Charnvirakul to continue as prime minister and deliver what he has called “a stable, united Thailand focused on the people’s real needs.”
https://thepattayanews.com/2026/02/09/b ... ham-party/
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Gaybutton
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Re: Anutin and his Bhumjaithai Party wins the election - People's Party concedes
In several voting districts around Thailand the People's Party is demanding a recount. I'm not sure why. The chances of finding anywhere near enough discrepancies to nullify Anutin's victory are nil.
In my opinion, it would be much better to accept the fact they lost the election and offer support to the winner. I believe it is far more productive to be amicable rather than a display of animosity. I fail to see what good animosity does regarding the election.
There is nothing wrong with opposition. That is how democracy works and makes it work. But in my opinion there is a time and place for it and the election isn't it.
In my opinion, it would be much better to accept the fact they lost the election and offer support to the winner. I believe it is far more productive to be amicable rather than a display of animosity. I fail to see what good animosity does regarding the election.
There is nothing wrong with opposition. That is how democracy works and makes it work. But in my opinion there is a time and place for it and the election isn't it.