Thailand's Bhumjaithai early leads in three-way race against People's Party, Pheu Thai

Thailand's preliminary election commission tally showed Bhumjaithai Party headed by caretaker prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul has early lead with about 15 percent eligible votes counted.

500 lower house seats are up for grabs amidst economic concerns and border tensions with neighbouring Cambodia.

Voting in Thailand's general election began at 8:00 a.m. local time and officially wrapped up at 5:00 p.m.

Exit polls indicate Bhumjaithai has taken a lead in the early stage of the counting process, followed by the progressive People's Party (PP).

With its message of structural change and reforms to the economy, the PP is the successor to the Move Forward party and had led most opinion polls during the campaign season. But it may lack majority support.

The party leader, 38-year-old entrepreneur Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut was in Bangkok earlier in the day to cast his ballot.

Speaking to media, he said the election will decide how Thailand is going to be in the future, adding he believes in the people's voice.

He further noted his party is ready to be opposition if Bhumjaithai forms a government, and that they would not form a competing coalition.

Yodchanan Wongsawat, the prime ministerial candidate for the opposition Pheu Thai Party, showed up at a polling station in Bangkok.

Pheu Thai has seen its clout decline after Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed from office in 2025.

Alongside the general election, the Southeast Asian country also held a referendum on replacing the currently military-backed constitution.