Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Wins Pheu Thai Support For Coalition

By Wilawan Watcharasakwet & Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has secured the backing of third-placed Pheu Thai to form a coalition government.

The agreement follows the Feb 8 general election, in which Bhumjaithai emerged as the largest party but fell short of an outright majority, necessitating coalition talks.

Anutin said the decision was reached after discussions with Pheu Thai leaders at Bhumjaithai’s headquarters on Friday, aimed at preventing a prolonged political vacuum.

“Based on the vote count, and although the results have not yet been officially endorsed, preliminary discussions have been held to prevent a prolonged political vacuum.

“We have concluded that the Pheu Thai Party is willing to support the Bhumjaithai Party as the core party in forming the government,” he told reporters on Friday.

In the Feb 8 election, the Bhumjaithai Party took a commanding lead, winning 174 of the 400 contested constituency seats. However, it still fell short of the majority needed to form a government, paving the way for a coalition.

Preliminary results released by the Election Commission, based on 94 per cent of votes counted, showed the People’s Party trailing far behind with 87 seats, followed by the Pheu Thai Party (58), the Kla Tham Party (56) and the Democrat Party (10).

Pheu Thai’s support would hand Anutin a clear parliamentary majority and potentially usher in a more stable coalition.

Thailand’s 500-seat House of Representatives is elected through a mixed electoral system, consisting of 400 constituency seats decided by a first-past-the-post system and 100 party-list seats allocated proportionally based on each party’s share of the national vote. A simple majority of 251 votes is required to form a government.

Anutin said both parties possessed capable and experienced personnel who could steer Thailand towards a stable, strong and sustainable future in line with public expectations.

“We have also set out a timeline. As the core party, we will invite other parties in sequence and seek their cooperation to ensure the country moves forward smoothly.

“An initial agreement has been reached, and from now on we will continue discussions in greater detail regarding the formation of the government,” he added.

Anutin held talks with Pheu Thai representatives led by its secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong, party's Prime Ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongswasdi, and senior former Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit at Bhumjaithai’s headquarters on Friday.

Meanwhile, Prasert said Pheu Thai’s visit was to congratulate Bhumjaithai on its electoral success and to formally announce its support for the coalition.

He added that detailed conditions and arrangements for joining the government would be discussed further at a later stage.

The Bhumjaithai Party was a member of the Pheu Thai-led ruling coalition following the 2023 election but withdrew in June last year after a leaked phone call between then premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen.

Thailand’s election results must be certified by the Election Commission of Thailand within 60 days — no later than April 9 — after which the newly elected parliament is required to convene within 15 days of official endorsement.

-- BERNAMA