In Focus: Thailand’s General Election Nation faces choice between change and continuity

Thailand held a general election for the 500-seat lower house, the country's first since May 2023. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's conservative Bhumjaithai Party, which leads a minority government, faces a strong challenge from the progressive People's Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, and the Pheu Thai Party, led by Yodchanan Wongsawat.

As Thailand confronts a range of issues, from military tensions with Cambodia to economic strains such as high household debt and declining foreign tourist numbers, this photo feature will follow the election through key moments on the campaign trail, voting day and the announcement of results.

February 8

Anutin Charnvirakul speaks to media at Bhumjaithai Headquarters in Bangkok on Feb. 8. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Anutin speaks during a press conference in Bangkok on Feb. 9. (Photo by Patipat Janthong/Reuters)

Anutin speaks to media at Bhumjaithai Headquarters on Feb. 8. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Anutin leaves the party headquarters in Bangkok on Feb. 8. (Photo by Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters)

People's Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut speaks during a press conference in Bangkok, following Thailand's general election on Feb. 8. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut during a press conference in Bangkok on Feb. 8 (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Supporters of People's Party monitor the results on their smart phones at party’s headquarters in Bangkok on Feb. 8. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut waves to supporters as he leaves the party's headquarters on Feb. 8. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut hugs a supporter as he leaves the party’s headquarters on Feb. 8. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Bangkok awakes to election day. Thais are casting ballots on Feb. 8 for 500 members of the country's lower house, essentially choosing to keep or replace Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's conservative administration. Polls, which opened at 8 a.m., close at 5 p.m. Preliminary results are expected late in the evening. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Voters wait to make their voices heard at a polling station in Bangkok. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

A voter casts her ballot in Bangkok. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Yodchanan Wongsawat, the Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate, and his wife, Natakab Silsaveekul, greet people on the day of the general election at a polling station in Bangkok. (Photo by Kenya Akama)

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the People's Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, casts his ballot in Bangkok. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Bhumjaithai Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Anutin Charnvirakul votes at a polling station in Buriram province, Thailand on Feb. 8. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

February 7

Alcohol sales are banned at a convenience store in Bangkok on Feb. 7. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

February 6

Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, second from right, poses during an election campaign rally in Bangkok on Feb. 6. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Supporters of Bhumjaithai party attend a campaign rally in Bangkok on Feb. 6. (Photoby Ken.Kobayashi)

A person wearing a costume poses during Bhumjaithai Party campaign rally in Bangkok on Feb. 6. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Pheu Thai Party supporter poses during a campaign rally event in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 6. (Photo by Yuka Konishi)

Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidates Yodchanan Wongsawat poses for photos with supporters during a campaign rally in Bangkok on Feb. 6. (Photo by Yuka Konishi)

People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut shakes hands with party members during a campaign rally in Bangkok, on Feb. 6. (Photo by Thomas Cristofoletti)

A supporter points to the candidate list during a People’s Party campaign rally in Bangkok on Feb. 6. (Photo by Thomas Cristofoletti)

People's Party

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut

(Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut speaks during a campaign rally in Bangkok on Jan. 11. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

People's Party supporters hold up their smartphones during a campaign rally in Bangkok on Jan. 25. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Bhumjaithai Party

Anutin Charnvirakul

(Photo by Yuka Konishi)

Anutin Charnvirakul eats "moo ping" (Thai-style grilled pork skewers) during a campaign event in Bangkok's Chinatown on Jan. 11. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Pheu Thai Party

Yodchanan Wongsawat

Former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left, and Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat attend a campaign rally in Bangkok on Jan. 8. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Supporters of Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat place garlands of marigolds around his neck at a campaign rally in Chiang Mai on Jan. 9. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Early voting in Bangkok on Feb. 1