Thailand's conservative prime minister is on track to win the country's parliamentary elections, a parallel vote count by local televisions shows. This would make his party, despite predictions and against the backdrop of a nationalist upsurge, the largest parliamentary force, reported Agence France-Presse.
“We are on track to win first place in the elections“, Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters from his “Bumjaythai“ party headquarters in Bangkok.
The leader of the reformist People's Party, Natthapong Ruengapanyawut, admitted his loss.
“We admit that we did not come first“, he told reporters at his party headquarters, adding that he would “respect“ the winner.
Anutin's Bumthai Party will have about 200 seats in the lower house, according to forecasts by Thai television Channel 3 - a significant lead over the People's Party, which will have just over 100 seats, while the For Thais party will have („Phue Thai“), which has long dominated Thai politics, came in third place.
It is a spectacular turnaround for Anutin, whose party came third in the previous election and who was elected prime minister in September 2025.
„Today's victory belongs to all Thais, whether they voted for us or not,“ the prime minister said.
Many voters told AFP they were thinking about the conflict with Cambodia when they voted.
„We need a strong leader who can protect our sovereignty,“ said a 64-year-old voter who was the first to cast a ballot at a polling station in Anutin's hometown – Buriram.
The Thai army took control of disputed areas during the latest fighting in December, and a ceasefire is currently in effect after fighting left dozens dead on both sides of the border.
Shortly after taking office, Anutin authorized the armed forces to take whatever measures they saw fit on the border without first consulting the government. During his campaign, he promised to build a border wall and recruit 100,000 volunteers.
After casting his vote at the same polling station, the Thai prime minister - a wealthy construction heir and part-time pilot known for his support for legalizing cannabis in Thailand - told reporters that he hoped to win the trust of voters.