Nattapong accepts election results and instructs his legal team to investigate irregularities in several districts, pressing the Election Commission to conduct a recount due to a surge in spoiled and miscounted ballots.
On 9 February 2026 at the Future Building, Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, gave an update on the unofficial election results. He stated the party is expected to secure about 116 parliamentary seats (85 constituency seats and 31 party-list seats). He raised concerns about irregularities in the vote counting process, receiving reports of many abnormalities, especially in areas where the vote margin was only a few hundred or thousand but the number of spoiled ballots was unusually high. For instance, in Lampang District 2, there were over 7,000 spoiled ballots while the winning margin was only 2,000 votes. In Khon Kaen District 3, there were many miscounted and spoiled ballots amid a close margin. In Pathum Thani, reports indicated that the Provincial Waterworks Authority closed a vote counting room. The party has dispatched legal teams to request recounts at several locations.
Nattapong clearly emphasized that the People’s Party accepts the popular will and grants the leading party, Bhumjaithai, the right to lead government formation first. However, he reaffirmed the party’s position not to join a government led by Bhumjaithai and stated readiness to serve as a strong opposition to protect public interests. Although vote counts in many districts did not decline compared to 2023, the party acknowledges the changing political context, including opponents evading certain districts. Moving forward, the party plans to review lessons learned to strengthen local networks, better anticipate old political tactics, and remain committed to winning public support with progressive agendas.