BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s political parties geared up Friday for their final campaign rallies ahead of Sunday’s general election, set against a backdrop of chronically slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment.
The election is shaping up to be a tight race among three major parties, with no outright winner expected. This comes amid accusations of shady financial influence linked to cybercrime and widespread corruption among officials.
**Early Election Called**
The snap vote was triggered in December by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who dissolved parliament to preempt a potential no-confidence motion over constitutional changes. Anutin had been in office for only three months after the court-ordered removal of his predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, due to ethical lapses.
The political move occurred amid ongoing tensions, as Thailand was engaged in a border dispute with Cambodia.
**Key Players Across Three Parties**
Anutin seeks to return to power with his conservative Bhumjaithai Party. After his popularity slipped due to deadly floods in the south and corruption scandals involving senior officials, he has repositioned himself as a wartime leader during the border clash with Cambodia. His campaign focuses on national security and economic stimulus.
The progressive People’s Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, remains atop opinion polls with a strong structural reform agenda. The party won the most House seats in 2023 under a different name but was blocked by conservative lawmakers from forming a government. To succeed this time, it must win decisively enough to overcome those barriers.
The Pheu Thai Party, backed by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, once dominated Thailand’s political landscape, leading the government for two years until August. However, two of its prime ministers were ousted by court rulings while Thaksin was imprisoned.
Now campaigning on economic revival with familiar populist pledges such as cash handouts, Pheu Thai’s leading prime ministerial candidate is Thaksin’s nephew, academic Yodchanan Wongsawat.
**No Clear Majority Expected**
Thailand’s House of Representatives consists of 500 members: 400 lawmakers are directly elected from constituencies, while 100 are “party list” nominees allocated proportionally based on the vote share. Together, these members select the prime minister.
No single party is expected to secure an outright majority. This means the prime minister will likely be chosen through intense coalition bargaining, similar to the outcome in 2023.
Analysts suggest the People’s Party may win the most seats but faces challenges in finding coalition partners due to its ambitious reform agenda, which includes reforms targeting the powerful military.
A Bhumjaithai-led coalition appears more probable, as the party would likely secure the support of conservative establishment forces who see its platform as less disruptive to the political status quo.
**Referendum Could Alter the Constitution**
Alongside the election, voters will also face a referendum asking whether Thailand should replace its 2017 military-drafted constitution. Rather than voting on a specific draft, the referendum asks whether to authorize Parliament to begin a formal drafting process.
Pro-democracy groups consider this a critical first step toward reducing the influence of unelected institutions such as the military and judiciary. Conversely, conservatives oppose the measure, arguing that such changes could remove essential safeguards for political stability.
https://wtop.com/world/2026/02/what-to-know-about-thailands-election-as-economic-growth-slows-and-nationalism-rises/
