• Pheu Thai Party, led by Thaksin Shinawatra, agrees to coalition talks with Bhumjaithai.
• Bhumjaithai won the recent Thai elections, securing a majority in the House of Representatives.
• The coalition aims to stabilize the government amid challenges and past disputes.

Jailed ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's Pheu Thai Party has announced it will engage in coalition talks with the winning Bhumjaithai Party, following a notable electoral defeat where it secured only 74 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives. The Bhumjaithai Party, led by caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, garnered 193 seats, marking the party's best electoral performance amid a backdrop of recent border conflicts with Cambodia, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Anutin announced the formation of a coalition government with Pheu Thai, stating, “We will work together as a government and manage the country so we can do good things for the country.” This partnership returns Pheu Thai to a position of influence after its previous coalition with Bhumjaithai broke down over a Cambodia border dispute in June 2023, notes South China Morning Post and Reuters.

The results of the recent elections have raised concerns about the future of Pheu Thai's political influence, with many analysts suggesting this may signal the end of the Shinawatra dynasty's dominance in Thai politics. However, Pheu Thai’s coalition agreement could provide it with an opportunity for a political rebound, as stated by party secretary-general Prasert Chanruangthong, who emphasized their commitment to the nation's progress, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

Pheu Thai's past coalition with Bhumjaithai suggests a complex relationship, as prior tensions stemmed from political disputes, namely concerning Cambodia. Nonetheless, the new coalition aims to address critical issues such as economic growth and the country’s security challenges, particularly in relation to the Cambodia conflict, according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.