Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand’s ruling conservative Bhumjaithai Party moved significantly closer to forming a new government on , after securing an agreement with the Pheu Thai Party, the third-place finisher in the recent general election, to join a proposed ruling coalition. The move follows days of negotiations and signals a potential return to power for elements of the established political order in a country often marked by political instability.
Bhumjaithai secured 193 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives in election, positioning its leader, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, to potentially retain office. The addition of Pheu Thai, which is projected to hold 74 seats, brings the coalition’s total to 267, comfortably surpassing the 251 seats needed for a majority. Several smaller parties have also reportedly pledged their support, further solidifying the coalition’s position.
“Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai will look into the future. We agreed that both our parties have people with abilities great enough to lead Thailand into a stable and sustainable future,” Anutin said during a news conference held at Bhumjaithai headquarters. The announcement was made jointly with Pheu Thai leaders, including Yodchanan Wongsawat, a nephew of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who had been the party’s prime ministerial candidate.
This is not the first time the two parties have attempted to govern together. They previously formed an alliance following the 2023 election, with Pheu Thai initially taking the lead in negotiations. However, that partnership dissolved last year amid disagreements stemming from border tensions with Cambodia and concerns surrounding then-Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter. Anutin subsequently secured enough parliamentary support in to become prime minister.
Addressing the past friction, Anutin emphasized the need to move forward, stating, “We must erase everything and move forward.” This sentiment suggests a willingness to overcome previous disputes and prioritize the formation of a functioning government.
The agreement marks a significant shift in Thailand’s political landscape, particularly for the Pheu Thai Party. The party, historically dominant in Thai electoral politics due to its association with Thaksin Shinawatra, experienced its worst electoral performance in decades. Since 2001, Thai politics have been largely defined by parties loyal to Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, triggering a prolonged power struggle between populist forces and the country’s conservative, royalist-military establishment.
Pheu Thai’s recent struggles are attributed, in part, to a perceived betrayal of its pro-democracy base in 2023 when it aligned with pro-military parties to form a government. Further damaging its reputation, a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian leader Hun Sen raised concerns among conservatives. Paetongtarn was subsequently removed from office following an ethics violation, paving the way for Anutin to assume the premiership.
According to Ken Lohatepanont, a University of Michigan doctoral candidate, this new arrangement positions Pheu Thai as a “mid-sized party that can at most play the role of a junior coalition partner.” The party also suffered a significant loss in its traditional stronghold of Chiang Mai, Thaksin Shinawatra’s hometown.
While Bhumjaithai has secured pledges of support from six smaller parties holding a combined eight seats, analysts suggest that further expansion of the coalition may be necessary to ensure stability. Potential partners include the Kla Tham Party, which holds 58 seats, and the Democrat Party, Thailand’s oldest political party, with 22 seats.
Notably, the progressive Move Forward Party, which finished second with 118 seats, has ruled out joining a government led by Bhumjaithai. This decision reflects ideological differences and a reluctance to align with a party perceived as representing the conservative establishment.
The formation of the new coalition comes amid allegations of electoral irregularities, prompting protests from frustrated voters demanding recounts and fresh elections in certain constituencies. The Asian Network for Free Elections, one of the international observer groups present during the polls, reported that the election was generally peaceful and orderly but flagged “procedural irregularities in several polling stations,” including insufficient public information and inconsistent access for observers.
The legal monitoring group iLaw reported receiving over 4,000 complaints, citing issues such as discrepancies between ballot counts and eligible voters, restricted access for observers during vote counting, disputes over recount requests, and inaccuracies in final tallies.
The Election Commission has 60 days to certify the election results before Parliament can convene and elect a new prime minister. The business community in Thailand has welcomed Bhumjaithai’s victory, expressing hope that it will bring much-needed stability to the country’s lagging economy. The coming weeks will be crucial as the coalition solidifies its position and prepares to address the challenges facing Thailand.
