On February 8, Thailand officially entered the House of Representatives election in the context of the political arena undergoing a period of strong turmoil. The Thai Election Commission affirmed that it is ready to organize voting nationwide, and at the same time closely coordinates with security forces to ensure order at polling stations.
The election is seen as an important test of the political orientation of this Southeast Asian nation.
The race attracted great attention as Bhumjaithai Party and the People's Party emerged as the two main rivals competing for the role of leading the next government. Domestic public opinion assesses this as a clear confrontation between the conservative bloc and reformist forces, reflecting the division in voters' policy choices.
The election takes place in the context that Thailand has changed government three times in less than three years, after the House of Representatives was dissolved in January 2025 due to political pressure on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's conservative government. Therefore, this vote is crucial, not only deciding the composition of the new parliament but also directly affecting the political direction in the coming time.
About 50 million eligible voters participate in voting to elect 500 House deputies. According to regulations, 400 seats are elected by regional units, while the remaining 100 seats are allocated to parties in the form of a list, based on the percentage of votes. Each voter receives three ballots including a local candidate ballot, a party list ballot and a referendum ballot on whether to draft a new constitution or not.
The results of the referendum will decide whether parliament will initiate the constitutional amendment process or not. Polling stations close at the end of the day, preliminary results are expected to be announced overnight. Official results must be completed within the legal time limit, after which the new parliament will hold its first session to elect the Speaker of the House of Representatives and conduct a vote to choose the Prime Minister.
Many opinions suggest that no party is capable of winning an absolute majority, making the prospect of forming a coalition government clearer after the election.
