Thailand General Election 2026 and Referendum on New Constitution
Thailand General Election 2026: A First Overview

Today (09/02/26), Unofficial results for the 2026 General Election and Referendum have been announced, revealing a landslide victory for the Bhumjaithai Party. Led by PM Anutin Charnvirakul, the party secured approximately 193 seats. Consequently, Bhumjaithai expects to lead the formation of the next government for a four-year term alongside its current coalition partners. This includes Klatham, the "rising star" of this election, which secured roughly 58 seats. Together, they hold approximately 251 seats, providing the baseline needed to form a government. Additionally, several minor parties may join to further stabilize the Bhumjaithai-led administration. The party’s growth is historic; having held only 71 seats in the previous House of Representatives (ranking third), Bhumjaithai has nearly tripled its presence, defying the predictions of all major polls and analysts.

The Opposition and the Capital

In contrast, the People’s Party, the current leader of the opposition, suffered significant losses in both voters and constituency MPs. Their seat count dropped from 151 in 2023 to 118 seats in 2026. However, they achieved a clean sweep in the capital, winning all 33 seats in Bangkok (one more than in the previous election). Despite their losses elsewhere, the People’s Party has announced they will remain in the opposition and expressed their gratitude to the voters.

Pheu Thai’s Dilemma and Challenges

The greatest challenge now faces the Pheu Thai Party. Formerly the lead government party, they secured only 74 seats—a sharp decline from the 141 seats they held previously. This loss of influence significantly damages their future political standing. Nevertheless, the party remains a point of interest as observers wait to see whether they will join the government or the opposition, as their support could provide stability to either side.

Referendum Results

The national referendum resulted in a "Yes" vote, with over 59% in favor of drafting a new constitution. However, the trajectory of this new constitution will depend largely on the new government’s direction and which specific issues they choose to prioritize, as passing the bill will still require a majority vote in the House of Representatives.

https://www.thaipbs.or.th/election69/result?tab=summary