Bangkok – Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reached an agreement with the Pheu Thai party to form a coalition government, according to announcements made Friday, February 13, 2026. The move comes after Pheu Thai signaled its willingness to support Bhumjaithai in leading the coalition, despite a disappointing performance in the February 8 general election.
The agreement marks a significant shift in Thai politics, as the two parties were previously in a coalition that dissolved last June following a dispute over a border issue with Cambodia. According to the South China Morning Post, Anutin pulled out of the previous coalition over the Cambodia border dispute scandal.
Anutin, whose Bhumjaithai party secured a surprising electoral victory, stated at a news conference, “Although the election results have not yet been officially confirmed, we have a consensus that Pheu Thai will support us in leading the coalition, as planned.” Prasert Chanruangthong, secretary general of Pheu Thai, confirmed the party’s readiness to support Bhumjaithai, adding that further details would be discussed.
The outcome is particularly notable given Pheu Thai’s historically strong performance in Thai elections. The party, linked to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, experienced its worst election result to date, with its vote share in the party-list section more than halving. This election victory for Bhumjaithai follows a period of two rounds of deadly border clashes with Cambodia last year, a factor cited in the party’s improved electoral performance.
Anutin Charnvirakul, who became Prime Minister on September 7, 2025, after being elected by Parliament on September 5, 2025, had previously served as Deputy Prime Minister from July 2019 and as Minister of Public Health from 2019 to 2023. He then transitioned to the role of Interior Minister in September 2023 before resigning from both positions in June 2025 following his party’s departure from the previous governing coalition.
The son of former interim Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, Anutin holds a significant stake in several Thai companies, including Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction (STECon), where he serves as chairman, owning nearly 5% of the shares. He also holds over 10% of the shares in the steel producer STP&I, with his total business holdings estimated at over $77 million as of April 2019. He began his political career in the Chart-Pattana party, following in his father’s footsteps.
As of February 20, 2026, details regarding specific ministerial positions within the new coalition government remain undisclosed. The Diplomat reported on February 16, 2026, that Pheu Thai’s decision to join the coalition offers the party a chance to retain some political influence after its recent electoral setbacks.
