BANGKOK, Feb 9 — The Bhumjaithai Party, led by caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, is on course to form Thailand’s next government following the preliminary count of Parliamentary seats from yesterday's general election.
Unofficial results released by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) at 8.53am local time today revealed that Bhumjaithai had secured 174 seats, followed by the People’s Party with 87 seats, and the Pheu Thai Party with 58 seats.
The Kla Tham Party won 56 seats, while the Democrat Party secured 10 seats.
With 94 per cent of the votes from 400 contested seats counted and a clear victor, attention has now turned to his next steps in forming a coalition government.
Anutin described the victory as the will of the people who wanted to see Bhumjaithai continue to govern and address long-standing national challenges.
“We believe the country is now on a stable footing and we look forward to moving forward with an even stronger Cabinet and government,” he told the media at the party’s headquarters.
Anutin added that negotiations with other parties to form the government would begin after a meeting of the party’s executive committee, and that he would wait for the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) to certify the results before proceeding.
Meanwhile, People’s Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Natthaphong Ruenpanyawut reiterated that they are prepared to sit in Opposition if Bhumjaithai forms the government and would not support Bhumjaithai’s prime ministerial candidate.
Pheu Thai leader and prime ministerial candidate Julapun Amornvivat said the party was ready to serve the public to the best of its ability, whether in government or in Opposition.
Under Thai law, 400 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives are elected in constituencies nationwide, with the remaining 100 seats allocated to political parties on a proportional basis.
The election results must be certified by the ECT within 60 days, or no later than April 9, and the newly elected Parliament must convene within 15 days after the results are officially confirmed.
To be elected as prime minister, a candidate must secure the support of at least 251 votes in the 500-member House of Representatives.
