Thailand votes amid political instability

Polls for Thailand's general election closed on Sunday after a smooth voting across the country. The elected lawmakers will vote in April to determine the country's next prime minister and government for the following four years amid a prolonged period of political instability.

Sunday's voting began at 8 am with about 52.9 million eligible voters, and more than 126,000 police officers were deployed to safeguard 99,538 polling stations. A total of 57 political parties have fielded candidates to contest the election, while 43 parties have nominated 93 prime ministerial candidates.

Under a mixed electoral system, voters cast two ballots, one for a constituency candidate and the other for a party-list member of parliament. There will be 400 MPs elected directly from constituencies on a winner-takes-all basis, while another 100 party-list seats are allocated proportionally based on nationwide votes.

All 500 MPs will vote to select the prime minister, with no Senate participation following the expiry of the transitional constitutional provision. A candidate must secure more than half of the House, or at least 251 votes.

In Bangkok — the most valuable battleground with 33 MPs representing about 5.4 million residents — about 97,000 polls officials were deployed, Narong Ruangsri, the capital's permanent secretary, said at a news conference on Sunday morning.

Several rounds of polls conducted before the election day suggest the result will be a three-way contest among caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai Party, the progressive People's Party, and Pheu Thai backed by the Shinawatra family.

The People's Party, under the leadership of 38-year-old Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, has garnered support from younger voters. It proposes transformative plans for Thailand's political and economic frameworks, including loans for small businesses, establishment of a national single-wage formula, and investment in agricultural sustainability.

Conversely, 59-year-old Anutin has pursued policies emphasizing economic recovery, disaster response and infrastructure development, such as the construction of border walls amid heightened disputes with Cambodia.

The Pheu Thai Party, led by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's nephew Yodchanan Wongsawat, focuses on revitalizing the economy through initiatives such as fostering startup growth and farmer profitability, as well as a novel lottery-style millionaire program.

'Significant concern'

"Thailand is facing a significant concern over its declining attractiveness to international investors, with the country being labeled 'the forgotten man of Asia', as global fund managers show reduced interest and coverage," said Burin Adulwattana, chief economist of Thai Kasikorn Bank in Bangkok.

"So the urgent task for any new government is highlighted as the removal of economic distortions and the implementation of responsible policies that ensure the country's financial health and avoid the negative consequences of a downgrade," he said, noting that the new government would not survive long if it fails to realize its campaign promises.

Pongkwan Sawasdipakdi, a lecturer of international relations at the faculty of political science at Thammasat University in Bangkok, said the major political parties have shifted their policy stance toward more conservative and nationalist approaches regarding border issues with Cambodia, reducing policy differentiation between parties.

"Thailand lacks a clear strategic position in the changing geopolitical landscape between major powers, risking reactive rather than proactive foreign policy," Pongkwan said.

She expressed concern about "anti-Cambodian sentiment" among Thai voters, which is expected to persist for 10 to 20 years, creating long-term obstacles for regional cooperation and integration.

Following Sunday's voting, the Election Commission will certify at least 95 percent of members of parliament within 60 days of polling day or by April 9. Parliament must then convene within 15 days to elect its speaker, followed by a vote for prime minister.

The formation of the cabinet takes two to four weeks. If procedures and coalition talks proceed smoothly, the country is expected to have a fully functioning new government by late May or June.