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Bhumjaithai Opens Big Lead in Thailand’s Snap Election as Referendum Favors Charter Rewrite

Early counts set up coalition talks, with the People’s Party preparing for opposition.

Overview

  • With nearly 80% of polling stations reporting, preliminary Election Commission figures show Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai holding a sizeable lead over the People’s Party, with Pheu Thai in third.
  • Television projections cited by Channel 3 forecast Bhumjaithai as by far the largest party in the 500-seat House, though still short of an outright majority.
  • People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said the party does not look likely to win and will not join a Bhumjaithai-led coalition, indicating it would take up opposition benches.
  • Early referendum tallies indicate voters backing a mandate to begin drafting a new constitution by roughly two to one, a process that would require further parliamentary steps and additional referendums.
  • Pre‑election surveys had put the People’s Party first, but Bhumjaithai’s strong early showing follows a campaign boosted by nationalist sentiment after border clashes with Cambodia, with coalition bargaining now expected.