The vote was a three-way race between the reformist People’s Party, the conservative Bhumjaithai Party of incumbent Prime Minister Charnvirakul and Pheu Thai, the party backed by the still-influential Shinawatra family.
“We are likely to take first place in the election,” Charnvirakul told reporters at his party headquarters in Bangkok.
“The victory today belongs to all Thais, no matter whether you voted for us or not.”
PoliticsThailand
Thailand election: PM Anutin Cha
Early projections have Thailand’s prime minister winning by a clear margin, with the opposition conceding defeat in Thailand’s parliamentary elec
Thailand PM Anutin Charnvirakul
Thailand’s conservative prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set for another term in office
Thailand’s conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Sunday claimed victory in the country’s parliamentary elections after television projections showed his party winning nearly 200 seats.
The vote was a three-way race between the reformist People’s Party, the conservative Bhumjaithai Party of incumbent Prime Minister Charnvirakul and Pheu Thai, the party backed by the still-influential Shinawatra family.
“We are likely to take first place in the election,” Charnvirakul told reporters at his party headquarters in Bangkok.
“The victory today belongs to all Thais, no matter whether you voted for us or not.”
Opposition People’s Party concedes defeat
“We acknowledge that we did not come first,” People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told reporters at his party headquarters in Bangkok. “We stand by our principle of respecting the party that finishes first and its right to form the government.”
Going into the polls, analysts had been predicting a close race that was unlikely to yield an outright winner and were anticipating difficult coalition negotiations following the vote.
The vote was held with the country’s economy and its vital tourist sector struggling, and amid heightened tensions with neighbor Cambodia that have resulted in deadly clashes along the border.
The country has churned through three prime ministers in under three years since the last general election in 2023.
Thailand, which has seen 13 successful military coups since becoming a constitutional monarchy in 1932, has a long history of political instability.Ahead of the vote, surveys suggest that the People’s Party (PP) would win the most votes for the 500-seat lower house.
Its candidate for prime minister is 38-year-old entrepreneur
The PP is the successor to the progressive and reformist Move Forward party, which won the last election in 2023 by a landslide.
But Move Forward’s candidate for prime minister was blocked, and the party was later dissolved after the Constitutional Court found that its reformist agenda amounted to an attempt to overthrow the monarchy.
The PP softened that reformist messaging during the campaign for this election.
Early projections have Thailand’s prime minister winning by a clear margin, with the opposition conceding defeat in Thailand’s parliamentary elections.
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Thailand PM Anutin Charnvirakul
Thailand’s conservative prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set for another term in officeImage: Chanakarn Laosarakham/AFP
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Thailand’s conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Sunday claimed victory in the country’s parliamentary elections after television projections showed his party winning nearly 200 seats.
The vote was a three-way race between the reformist People’s Party, the conservative Bhumjaithai Party of incumbent Prime Minister Charnvirakul and Pheu Thai, the party backed by the still-influential Shinawatra family.
“We are likely to take first place in the election,” Charnvirakul told reporters at his party headquarters in Bangkok.
“The victory today belongs to all Thais, no matter whether you voted for us or not.”
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Opposition People’s Party concedes defeat
“We acknowledge that we did not come first,” People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told reporters at his party headquarters in Bangkok. “We stand by our principle of respecting the party that finishes first and its right to form the government.”
Going into the polls, analysts had been predicting a close race that was unlikely to yield an outright winner and were anticipating difficult coalition negotiations following the vote.
The vote was held with the country’s economy and its vital tourist sector struggling, and amid heightened tensions with neighbor Cambodia that have resulted in deadly clashes along the border.
The country has churned through three prime ministers in under three years since the last general election in 2023.
Thailand, which has seen 13 successful military coups since becoming a constitutional monarchy in 1932, has a long history of political instability.
Youth vote could tip the scale in Thailand’s elections
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Who are the main players in the Thai elections?
Ahead of the vote, surveys suggest that the People’s Party (PP) would win the most votes for the 500-seat lower house.
Its candidate for prime minister is 38-year-old entrepreneur Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut.
The PP is the successor to the progressive and reformist Move Forward party, which won the last election in 2023 by a landslide.
But Move Forward’s candidate for prime minister was blocked, and the party was later dissolved after the Constitutional Court found that its reformist agenda amounted to an attempt to overthrow the monarchy.
The PP softened that reformist messaging during the campaign for this election.
People’s Party supporters react as they attend a major rally event ahead of the February 8 election in BangkokPeople’s Party supporters react as they attend a major rally event ahead of the February 8 election in Bangkok
The PP is hugely popular among young and urban votersImage: Chalinee Thirasupa/REUTERS
Even if the People’s Party were to win the most votes on Sunday, analysts say it is unlikely to win enough of a majority to govern.
The other major players are Pheu Thai and conservative Bhumjaithai, led by incumbent Prime Minister Anutin, who is widely expected to retain his job in a coalition deal.
Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, votes in the general election at a polling station in Buriram province, Thailand, February 8, 2026Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, votes in the general election at a polling station in Buriram province, Thailand, February 8, 2026
Incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will likely be at the helm of the next Thai coalition governmentImage: Chalinee Thirasupa/REUTERS
Pheu Thai, which has long dominated Thai politics, has seen its influence decline after Anutin’s predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed from office last year.
Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin, and the political dynasty he leads have shaped Thai politics for more than two decades.
Thaksin, a telecoms tycoon and former prime minister, is currently serving a one-year prison sentence for corruption and abuse of power.
