Politics News
Thailand's Bhumjaithai surges to first place as the favoured People's Party falls back
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai party took a wide lead in Thailand's general election on Sunday, February 8. With about 90% of polling stations reporting, Al Jazeera said Bhumjaithai led in 194 of the 500 lower-house seats, the People's Party in 115 and Pheu Thai in 77, leaving Bhumjaithai unlikely to win an outright majority.
Bangkok's Khaosod English called the result an upset. It put Bhumjaithai close to 200 seats, up from 71 in 2023; the People's Party, which had been expected to top the polls, at about 108, down from 151; and Pheu Thai at about 80, down from 141. The People's Party still led in every Bangkok constituency.
“This victory belongs to the people, not only to the Bhumjaithai Party.” — Anutin Charnvirakul, via Khaosod English
People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told Al Jazeera, “We acknowledge that we did not come first.” Al Jazeera recalled that Anutin became prime minister in September after Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed over an ethics violation, and called the snap vote in December while facing a threatened no-confidence motion. He campaigned on economic stimulus and national security, drawing on nationalist feeling after deadly border clashes with Cambodia.
Voters also backed drafting a new constitution. Al Jazeera said two further referendums are needed before one can be adopted; Thailand has had 20 constitutions since 1932.
How each outlet framed it
- Khaosod English — a domestic upset: the reformist favourite slipping, and a new government facing a weak economy and closed Cambodian border crossings.
- Al Jazeera — a security-minded vote shaped by the border conflict, plus the push to replace a charter critics call military-backed.
Where the numbers differ: Al Jazeera gave the People's Party 115 seats, Khaosod about 108 (its introduction said fewer than 100). Al Jazeera said early counts backed a new charter by nearly two to one; Khaosod said over 57%.