Thailand's Anutin readies for coalition talks after election win
The Hindu
Anutin prepares for coalition talks after his Bhumjaithai Party's election win, aiming to shape Thailand's political landscape.
Thailand's caretaker premier Anutin Charnvirakul was preparing for coalition talks Monday (February 9, 2026) after a stunning election victory for his conservative Bhumjaithai Party.
Bhumjaithai was forecast by Channel 3 to have won almost 200 seats in Sunday's (February 8, 2026) vote, well ahead of others but short of an outright majority in the 500-member lower house.
The progressive People's Party trailed at a little above 100 seats, while jailed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Pheu Thai party came in third.
Pheu Thai is seen as a likely coalition partner for Mr. Anutin, as they were allies until Bhumjaithai pulled out over a scandal linked to the Cambodia border dispute.
Mr. Thaksin is serving a one-year prison sentence for corruption in office, but many observers expect him to be released earlier than scheduled alongside a political agreement.
Mr. Anutin, who took office in September, declined to be drawn Sunday (February 8, 2026) on potential coalition talks, noting the election results remained unofficial.
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