"Thailand's incumbent Bhumjaithai party is on course to hold on to power after a strong win in Sunday's general election. With nearly all precincts reporting as of Monday morning, the Election Commission's preliminary results show the conservative, pro-establishment party winning 193 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives. That's well ahead of the projected 116 seats secured by its nearest rival, the reformist, youth-backed People's Party. Pheu Thai, the party of Thailand's once dominant Shinawatra clan, is poised to finish third with 76 seats."
"Bhumjaithai's fortunes boosted by nationalist fervor Political analyst Punchada Sirivunnabood ascribed Bhumjaithai's stronger-than-expected performance to its skill at harnessing the nationalist fervor whipped up by Thailand's border dispute with Cambodia. The Southeast Asian neighbors' competing territorial claims which date back decades flared up into armed clashes last year, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians and leaving dozens of soldiers dead on both sides."
Bhumjaithai won 193 of 500 House seats in preliminary results, well ahead of the People's Party on 116 seats and Pheu Thai on 76 seats. The Election Commission's results are preliminary and require confirmation before the king can swear in a prime minister and Cabinet. Days or weeks of coalition negotiations are expected as Bhumjaithai seeks partners to reach a majority. Observers attribute Bhumjaithai's stronger-than-expected performance to nationalist sentiment tied to a border dispute with Cambodia and its hawkish approach. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved parliament three months after taking power, capitalizing on public support and appointing key ministers in commerce and finance.
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