Thailand’s conservative Bhumjaithai party tops polls
BANGKOK—The Bhumjaithai party of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul took a commanding lead in Thailand’s general election on Sunday, with about 93 percent of polling stations having reported, according to unofficial results from the state Election Commission.
The commission’s running count indicated that the conservative Bhumjaithai party won about 194 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives.
A simple majority of 251 seats is needed for the body to elect a prime minister to form a new government.
The figures appear to make that total unreachable for Bhumjaithai, in which case it would have to seek partners in a coalition government.
The progressive People’s Party was holding down second place with 116 seats.
Pheu Thai, the populist party representing the political machine of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, trailed behind with 76 seats.
It’s widely believed that Pheu Thai will accept if asked to join a coalition government led by Bhumjaithai.
