Thailand - February 2026
General election held alongside constitutional referendum
On 8 February, Thailand held a snap election for all 500 seats in the House of Representatives alongside a constitutional referendum. The ruling Bhumjaithai Party won the largest number of seats, securing 192, followed by the main opposition People’s Party with 120 and Pheu Thai, which had led the previous government until September 2025, with 74. No party obtained a majority, and Bhumjaithai subsequently formed a governing coalition. Voter turnout was 71.4 per cent, down from 75.6 per cent in the 2023 election. Women won 99 seats (19.8 per cent), up from 96 (19.2 per cent) seats in the outgoing House. In the referendum, 60.2 per cent supported beginning the process of drafting a new constitution to replace the 2017 military-era charter, with overall turnout at 69.7 per cent. Election observers found election-day voting peaceful, orderly and generally transparent but later raised concerns about results reporting and whether unique ballot codes could compromise ballot secrecy.
Sources: ANFREL, IPU praline, The Election Commission of Thailand
