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Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Surges to First Place in Thai Election on Early Returns

Early tallies place Bhumjaithai first, positioning Anutin to lead coalition talks.

Overview

  • Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul claimed victory after television projections and party counts showed Bhumjaithai with a commanding lead.
  • Preliminary Election Commission data with most ballots counted showed Bhumjaithai ahead of the People’s Party, with Pheu Thai in third place.
  • People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said his party did not look likely to win and pledged to sit in opposition rather than join a Bhumjaithai-led government.
  • A concurrent referendum’s early count indicated strong support, roughly two to one, for beginning a multi‑stage process to draft a new constitution.
  • No party appears on track for an outright majority, pointing to coalition negotiations in the days ahead while official results await certification within the legal window.