Thai PM Anutin Declares Victory in Unexpected Election Win

In a surprising turn of events, Prime Minister Anutin Charnavirakul has claimed victory in Thailand's general election, with preliminary vote counts indicating his ruling Bhumjaithai party is projected to win 194 seats in the 500-seat parliament. Anutin stated that this success belongs to all Thais, no matter whether you voted for us or not after initial projections showed that his party far outperformed the reformist People's Party, which is expected to take 116 seats.

As per Anutin's announcement, the election played out dramatically, given that opinion polls had suggested a different outcome. The People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut appeared to concede defeat, expressing readiness to serve in opposition should Anutin successfully form a government.

The elections were called after Anutin's previous coalition collapsed after only three months, with no party projected to gain an overall majority. Anutin is now almost certain to stay in office, with his party anticipated to have more than double the number of seats it secured in the last election in 2023.

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PM Anutin celebrated at his party's Bangkok headquarters

The election results underscore the unpredictability of Thai politics. A once-anticipated victory for the People’s Party, which claimed victory in 2023 only to be blocked from power, failed to materialize amid a less enthusiastic response to their reformist agenda, particularly among older demographics and those from rural areas. The People's Party had hoped to harness a groundswell of support reflected in their previous victory, but their radical proposals fell short compared to the more populist approach of Anutin's party.

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