Thailand's recent election results defied pre-election polls, which predicted a win for the progressive People's Party. Instead, conservative parties, led by the Bhumjaithai party under Anutin Charnvirakul, achieved a decisive victory with 194 seats in the 500-seat House of Representatives, signaling a shift towards nationalism, monarchy respect, and the status quo. The election outcome was influenced by Thailand's mixed voting system, which favors local contest winners and rural networks, where conservative parties have strong influence. The progressive Move Forward party, previously favored for its anti-coup stance and reformist platform, suffered significant setbacks, partly due to the dissolution of their party, bans on their leaders, and a decline in voter turnout from 75% to 65%. The election reflects Thai voters’ preference for stability amid external threats and political turmoil, with Anutin poised to form a coalition and potentially lead for a full four-year term, marking a significant departure from recent years of reformist dominance.