Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Thailand's February Election Tightens
In Thailand, there's an important election coming up on February 8.
A man named Natthaphong, who is part of the People's Party, is leading in the polls.
He has the support of about 35% of people, according to one survey.
Another candidate, Yoshanan from the Pheu Thai Party, is in second place with about 21.5% support.
The current prime minister, Anutin, is in third place with about 16% support.
The People's Party is a new group that took over from another party called Move Forward, which won the last election but was later dissolved.
Anutin called for this early election after being in power for less than 100 days.
The election is expected to be very close, and there will be a lot of discussion about forming a government after the vote.
The election is important because it will decide who will lead the country next.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut leads opinion polls with 35.1% support according to Suan Dusit University.
Yoshanan Wongsawat of the Pheu Thai Party is in second place with 21.5% support.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the current prime minister, is in third place with 16.1% support.
The election is scheduled for February 8, with polls conducted from January 16 to 28.
The People's Party, led by Natthaphong, is the successor to the dissolved Move Forward Party.
- Who
- Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, Anutin Charnvirakul, Yoshanan Wongsawat
- What
- Thailand's upcoming election and opinion polls
- When
- Election on February 8, polls conducted January 16 to 28
- Where
- Thailand
- Why
- To determine the next prime minister and government
- Natthaphong's Support
- 35.1% (Suan Dusit University), 29% (National Institute of Development Administration)
- Yoshanan Wongsawat's Support
- 21.5% (Suan Dusit University)
- Anutin's Support
- 16.1% (Suan Dusit University), 22.2% (National Institute of Development Administration)
- Poll Period
- January 16 to 28
- Number of Respondents
- 26,621
- Election Date
- February 8
- People's Party Background
- Successor to Move Forward, which won 2023 elections but was dissolved
- Anutin's Election Call
- December 12, after less than 100 days as premier
- Border Confrontation
- Three-week border confrontation with Cambodia
Sources
Thailand’s reformist Natthaphong is frontrunner ahead of February vote, polls show
Explainer-Why Thailand will vote to decide a new constitution
Thailand election battle tightens: Natthaphong leads in polls, PM Anutin falters on popularity chart