Thailand is heading toward a realignment of conservative politics after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party secured a decisive victory in Sunday’s general election. With roughly 94 percent of ballots counted, Bhumjaithai emerged far ahead of its rivals, winning 192 of the 500 seats in parliament, according to Reuters calculations based on election commission data.

The People’s Party, which had led several pre-election polls, placed second with 117 seats, while the Pheu Thai Party finished third with 74. Smaller parties collectively captured 117 seats, though final allocations could shift slightly under Thailand’s proportional representation system.

Analysts said Bhumjaithai benefited from consolidating the conservative vote amid rising nationalist sentiment. The party captured 30.2 percent of the vote and made significant inroads into territory long dominated by Pheu Thai, which is controlled by the influential Shinawatra family.

Anutin told reporters that coalition talks would begin once final seat totals are confirmed, noting that each party must first hold internal discussions. He previously signaled that key cabinet positions—including finance, foreign affairs, and commerce—would remain unchanged if he secured another term.

The prime minister called the election in December after spending less than 100 days in office, seeking a fresh mandate amid heightened nationalism following Thailand’s recent three-week conflict with Cambodia. After results became clear, Anutin described the outcome as “a victory for all Thais.”

The left-leaning People’s Party has already ruled out joining an Anutin-led coalition. Party leader Natthaphong Rueangpanyawut said late Sunday that his party would not attempt to form an alternative governing alliance. The announcement came despite polls in late January showing the People’s Party with a significant lead over Bhumjaithai.

Voters also approved a proposal to amend Thailand’s constitution, with nearly two-thirds supporting the replacement of a charter enacted after the 2014 military coup. Critics have long argued the current constitution grants excessive power to an unelected senate.

Implementing the new constitution is expected to take at least two years and will require two additional referendums—one to authorize the drafting process and another to approve the final text.