Thailand’s opposition People’s Party remained in front of opinion polls on Friday, underlining the steep challenge facing Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as he seeks to retain power ahead of national elections on February 8.
The latest surveys point to a fragmented contest likely to produce complex coalition talks after the vote, with no party close to an outright majority. Voters appear divided among reformist, conservative, and establishment forces as Thailand prepares for another closely watched election.
A nationwide poll by Suan Dusit University showed People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut leading the prime ministerial preference race with 35.1 percent support. Pheu Thai’s candidate Yoshanan Wongsawat followed with 21.5 percent, while Anutin trailed in third place with 16.1 percent. The survey questioned 26,621 respondents between January 16 and January 28.
A separate poll released by the National Institute of Development Administration echoed the trend. It found Natthaphong backed by 29 percent of respondents, up from 24.7 percent earlier in the month, while support for Anutin edged up to 22.2 percent.
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The February election has settled into a three way contest between Anutin’s conservative Bhumjaithai Party, the former ruling Pheu Thai Party, and the reformist People’s Party. The latter emerged after the dissolution of Move Forward, which won the most seats in the 2023 election but was blocked by conservative lawmakers from forming a government and later disbanded by court order.
Analysts say the People’s Party has inherited much of Move Forward’s support base, particularly among younger and urban voters seeking institutional reform and a reduced political role for the military.
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Anutin called a snap election on December 12 after serving less than 100 days as prime minister. The move followed a turbulent parliamentary session that raised the prospect of a no confidence vote and exposed the fragility of his minority government. The decision also came amid a tense three week border confrontation with Cambodia that dominated domestic politics.
With polling numbers lagging, Anutin faces growing pressure to unite conservative leaning voters and clearly outline a post election governing formula. Any next government is widely expected to be formed through coalition bargaining rather than a single party victory.