Thailand election: The result the polls never saw coming

In Thailand's recent election, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's Bhumjaithai party achieved a surprising victory, contrary to pre-election polls that predicted a win for the progressive People's Party. The Bhumjaithai party is now positioned to form the next government with coalition partners, securing over 190 seats. While the People's Party gained more votes nationally, Bhumjaithai excelled in local constituency contests, which account for 80% of parliamentary seats. Bhumjaithai's success is attributed to its strong rural networks and ability to secure support from local power-brokers, contrasting with the People's Party's relative weakness in these areas. The mixed voting system, with its emphasis on local contests, played a significant role in the unexpected outcome.

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