Thailand experienced a pivotal political moment on Sunday as voters delivered an unexpected victory to the conservative Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) in early general elections, while simultaneously approving a referendum to begin rewriting the country’s military-era Constitution.

The Southeast Asian nation held a rare dual vote, with citizens electing the 500 members of the House of Representatives and deciding whether constitutional reform was necessary. With most ballots counted, around 60 percent supported changing the charter, a result largely anticipated by pre-election polls.

The election outcome, however, defied expectations. The reformist People’s Party (PP), widely seen as the frontrunner and a key driver of the referendum, finished a distant second behind Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party. 

Preliminary results from the Election Commission show BJT securing at least 195 seats, followed by the PP with 114 and the populist Pheu Thai Party with 78. A simple majority of 251 seats is required to form a government.

“We humbly accept the people’s decision,” Anutin said in Bangkok, calling the outcome a victory for all citizens. The result marks a dramatic rise for BJT, which won just 70 seats in the 2023 elections.

PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut acknowledged the defeat and stressed respect for parliamentary norms. Coalition talks are now expected, while constitutional reform will move forward through a lengthy process involving additional referendums—steps many see as crucial for the future of democracy in Thailand.