Thailand Votes Amid Economic Slump and Rising Nationalism — What to Know Before Sunday’s Election

BANGKOK — Thailand’s political parties held final rallies Friday as voters prepare to cast ballots on Sunday in a general election set against a backdrop of sluggish economic growth, rising nationalist sentiment and allegations of corrupt financial influence tied to cybercrime.

File - Leader of People's Party prime minister candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut waves during an election campaign in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Snap Election Called To Head Off Political Crisis

The snap vote was triggered in December when Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved parliament to preempt a possible no-confidence motion tied to proposed constitutional changes. Anutin had only been in office for about three months after the court-ordered removal of his predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, amid findings of ethical lapses. The decision to call an early election came during a tense period that included a border clash with Cambodia.

File - Pheu Thai Party prime minister candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat speaks to supporters during an election campaign in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Main Contenders

Bhumjaithai: Led by Anutin, the conservative Bhumjaithai Party is campaigning on national security and economic stimulus. Anutin has framed himself as a steady, wartime-style leader following damage to his popularity from deadly floods in the south and scandals involving senior officials.

A man walks next to political parties' election campaign posters in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

People’s Party: The progressive People’s Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, tops opinion polls with a platform of structural reform aimed at curbing the power of entrenched institutions. Under a different name the party won the most House seats in 2023 but was blocked from forming a government by conservative forces.

A man walks behind political parties' election campaign posters in Bangkok, Thailand, on Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Pheu Thai: Backed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Pheu Thai is campaigning on economic revival with familiar populist measures such as cash handouts. Its lead prime ministerial candidate is Thaksin’s nephew, academic Yodchanan Wongsawat. The party has struggled with legal and judicial setbacks that removed past leaders from office.

No Clear Majority Likely — Coalition Talks Loom

The House of Representatives will consist of 400 constituency-elected lawmakers and 100 party-list members (500 total). No single party is widely expected to win an outright majority, meaning the next prime minister will likely be chosen through intensive coalition negotiations similar to 2023.

Analysts say the People’s Party may win the largest share of seats but could struggle to assemble partners because its reform agenda threatens entrenched interests, including the military. A Bhumjaithai-led coalition is seen by some as more palatable to conservative establishment figures who prefer less disruptive change.

Referendum On Constitutional Rewrite

Voters will also decide in a referendum whether to authorize Parliament to begin a formal process to draft a replacement for the 2017 constitution, which was written under military rule. The referendum does not present a specific draft; it only asks whether lawmakers should be empowered to start the drafting process. Pro-democracy groups call the vote a crucial step to reduce the influence of unelected institutions such as the military and judiciary, while conservatives warn it could undermine safeguards that maintain political stability.

Context: Campaigns have been clouded by allegations of illicit financial influence tied to cybercrime and long-standing corruption concerns, raising stakes for voters deciding between continuity and structural reform.