BANGKOK – Thailand took a significant step toward forming its new government Wednesday as election officials validated the results for nearly 400 seats in parliament following this month’s nationwide voting.
The election commission confirmed 396 constituency positions within the 500-seat lower house, officials announced. Another 104 seats remain pending confirmation, with 100 of those being party-list positions that a commission source indicated would likely receive approval next week.
Under Thailand’s parliamentary system, the new legislature must assemble within two weeks once at least 475 seats – representing 95 percent of the total – receive official certification. Following that assembly, lawmakers will choose a prime minister who will then establish the new government.
Early returns from election night indicated that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party captured the largest number of seats, with the People’s Party and Pheu Thai party finishing second and third respectively.
Bhumjaithai leadership has announced plans to partner with the third-place Pheu Thai party in forming a coalition government, along with several smaller political parties. This proposed alliance would control an estimated 286 parliamentary seats.
However, the election process has faced some challenges, with several complaints filed regarding potential voting irregularities that could result in legal proceedings against the election commission.
