Thailand’s ruling Bhumjaithai Party has secured the largest number of seats in parliament following Sunday’s general elections, paving the way for Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to remain in office as coalition talks begin to form a majority government. According to unofficial results compiled from official election results, the Bhumjaithai Party secured 193 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, followed by the progressive People’s Party with 118 and Pheu Thai with 74, Reuters reported.
The Bhumjaithai Party did not win the 251 seats required to form a government on its own, and Prime Minister Charnvirakul will now be required to form an alliance with other minor parties. The Progressive People’s Party announced that it would not be part of a coalition government with Charnvirakul, Reuters reported.
The elections were held after months of political instability and an unscheduled election following the dissolution of parliament in December. According to unofficial results from about 94% of polling stations compiled by AP, the Bhumjaithai Party took the lead, marking a comeback for conservatives. Reuters and AP reported that nationalist sentiment, fueled by border tensions with Cambodia, dominated the campaign trail alongside economic promises.
However, the election took place under the shadow of a political upheaval that occurred last year. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the previous prime minister of Thailand, was removed from office by the Southeast Asian nation’s highest court, the Constitutional Court, over a decision related to a leaked telephone conversation with Cambodia’s previous head of state, Hun Sen, according to a Reuters report.
Along with the election, the people of Thailand voted on a step toward adopting a new constitution to replace the one adopted in 2017 under a military government.
According to AP, “Voters approved a referendum on a step toward adopting a new constitution to replace the one adopted under a military government in 2017. About 60% supported initiating a process to draft a new constitution.”
According to Reuters, “Voters backed a referendum on a step toward adopting a new constitution to replace the one adopted under a military government in 2017. Almost two-thirds supported initiating a process to draft a new constitution.”
There were no reports of election-related criminal acts committed by individuals, and no “alleged men” were identified. The next test is political: whether Anutin can assemble a coalition government
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