Thai Vote Counting Underway as Three Parties Vie for Power

Vote counting was underway on Feb. 8, 2026, as the People's Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, vied for a plurality against Bhumjaithai's Anutin Charnvirakul and Pheu Thai's Yodchanan Wongsawat, according to local reports.

Election officials confirmed that the vote included a referendum asking whether parliament should be authorized to begin drafting a replacement for the 2017 military-drafted constitution, a step pro-democracy groups view as aimed at reducing unelected institutions' power.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut told reporters after casting his ballot in Bangkok, "I think we will get the mandate from the people," and pledged to form "the people's government" if his party leads the House.

Fifty-three million registered voters were eligible to elect 500 lawmakers whose simple majority selects the next prime minister, and more than 50 parties contested seats despite only three parties having nationwide organizational reach, the Election Commission said.

Analysts warned the constitutional court's history of banning parties and removing leaders, including the 2024 ban of Move Forward and the dismissal of five Pheu Thai prime ministers since 2008, could trigger legal battles over any prospective government, analysts said.