Thailand is facing a landmark decision: around 53 million citizens have been voting on the kingdom’s political future since morning (local time).
02/08/2026, 08:5602/08/2026, 08:56
Not only will they elect a new parliament, but they could also initiate the drafting of a new, more democratic constitution in a referendum. A total of 500 seats in the House of Representatives will be allocated. Almost 60 parties have registered.
A polling station in Bangkok.Image: keystone
The vote takes place in a tense security situation. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called new elections in December while Thailand was embroiled in an armed border conflict with neighboring Cambodia. It was the second outbreak of violence on the approximately 800 kilometer long border in just a few months. The background is, among other things, the historically unclear border line. An – albeit fragile – ceasefire has been in place since the end of December.
Progressive Party leads polls
In recent polls, the reform-oriented People’s Party (PP) was ahead. She is the successor to the Move Forward party, which was dissolved by the Constitutional Court in 2023 and which received the most votes in the parliamentary election at the time – but was unable to form a government due to resistance from conservative forces.
The main reason was the party’s proposal to reform the strict lese majeste law, which opponents viewed as a threat to the monarchy. The controversial article 112 of the penal code provides for long-term imprisonment for insulting the royal family. He is considered untouchable by the political establishment as well as the influential military.
The PP’s top candidate is computer engineer and entrepreneur Natthapong Ruangpanyawut (38). The popular ex-opposition leader Pita Limjaroenrat once again played an important role in the election campaign. He appeared at campaign events and mobilized voters, but was not allowed to run for office because of a court ban on politics.
Other important forces include the populist Pheu Thai Party, which is traditionally strong in rural regions, and the conservative Bhumjaithai Party of the incumbent Prime Minister Anutin. Election observers expect that no party will achieve an absolute majority. Difficult coalition negotiations are therefore likely. Thailand has had three different heads of government in the past two years – a clear sign of ongoing political instability in the kingdom.
Referendum on constitutional reform
Parallel to the parliamentary election, a referendum will take place that will not decide on the content of a new constitution, but only on whether a corresponding reform process should begin at all. The current 2017 constitution is controversial because it was created under military influence and gives significant political influence to unelected institutions – such as the Senate. Critics see this as an obstacle to democratic reforms.
The polling stations are open until 5 p.m. (11 a.m. CET). Preliminary results are expected shortly after the vote. However, official confirmation of all results may take several weeks. (sda/dpa)