Thailands General Election Sees Early Lead for Prime Ministers Party

Thailand’s General Elections Underway, Preliminary Results Show Bhumjaithai Party in Lead

Preliminary results from 30 percent of polling stations indicate that Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party is leading the general elections. The party, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnviraku, has taken a commanding lead over the People’s Party and the Pheu Thai Party.

According to the election commission, the Bhumjaithai Party received around 30 percent of the votes, while the People’s Party trailed behind with a smaller share. The Pheu Thai Party, backed by billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is in third place.

People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut acknowledged defeat, stating that his party did not come first. He expressed respect for the party that finishes first and its right to form the government.

The election results suggest that no single party will win a clear majority, indicating that coalition-building may be necessary to form the next government. The Bhumjaithai Party has been seen as the preferred choice of the royalist-military establishment, focusing on economic stimulus and national security in its campaign.

The rival People’s Party had promised to curb the influence of the military and the courts, while Pheu Thai campaigned on economic revival and populist pledges. Voters were also asked to decide if a new constitution should replace the 2017 charter, with nearly two-to-one support for constitutional change.

Thailand has had 20 constitutions since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, with most changes following military coups. If voters back the drafting of a new national charter, the new government and lawmakers can start the amendment process in parliament with two more referendums required to adopt a new constitution.

Source: Al Jazeera