By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE PEOPLE’S will likely emerge as the largest elected party winning as many as 180 MP seats in the Feb.8 election, thus deserving the opportunity to become core of a coalition government, a noted academic forecast today (Jan.23).
According to NIDA’s Political & Development Strategies Project Director Pichai Ratanadilok na Phuket, the reformist camp is largely anticipated to get a range of 150 to 180 MP seats, compared to the ultra-conservative Bhumjaithai, core of the caretaker government under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, that will likely secure 130 to 140 MP seats whilst the neo-conservative Pheu Thai under de facto party boss/inmate Thaksin Shinawatra is predicted to get 70 to 80 MP seats in the nationwide election.
The People’s with party leader Nattapong Ruengpanyawut running as one of a trio of partisan contestants for prime minister is forecast to get nearly 40 MP seats in party-listed mode, compared to 39 in the 2023 election, and a range of 110 to 140 MP seats in constituency-based mode compared to 112 in the previous election whilst the Bhumjaithai with Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul running to retain his elected premiership is anticipated to get 10 to 20 MP seats in party-listed mode, compared to only three in the previous election, and some 120 MP seats in constituency-base mode, compared to 68 in the previous election, the NIDA academic said.
The predicted number of Bhumjaithai MP seats will remarkably increase due to the defection of former lawmakers from the likes of the divided Palang Pracharath, Ruam Thai Sang Chart and Pheu Thai, among others, to Newin’s camp.
That the forecast number of MP seats for the Pheu Thai with Thaksin’s nephew Yodchanan Wongsawat running as one of a trio of partisan contenders for prime minister will likely come out short of 100 is primarily attributed to the remarkable phenomena in which about one-third of former lawmakers earlier attached to Thaksin’s camp had skipped over to Newin’s camp to seek re-election, he pointed out.
Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the People’s may align with the Bhumjaithai or Pheu Thai to form a future coalition government coupled with reported intent to deny the Klatham, currently a coalition partner of the caretaker government under de facto party boss Thammanat Prompao.
Given the forecast 150-180 MP seats, the People’s could eventually set up a post-election government of their own by aligning with a few other parties though the reformist camp had earlier aimed at getting as many as one half of the total 500 MP seats, Pichai confirmed.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – People’s leader Nattapong Ruengpanyawut campaigning in Lampang today, Jan. 23, 2026. Photos – Thai Rath
First insert – Academic Pichai Ratanadilok na Phuket. Photo – Thai Rath
Second insert – Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul wooing voters at Nakhon Sawan. Photo – Amarin TV
Third insert – Pheu Thai prime minister candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat giving a speech at Siam Paragon. Photo – Amarin TV
Also read:
Four ex-MPs vie against one another in Lopburi constituency
People’s the only party that will deny Anutin for PM: Nattapong
Domestic sales of pickup trucks seen plunging to lowest level in over two decades
Tortured Finnish girl rescued at Sa Kaeo
