Earlier, Anutin said the outcome was “a victory for all Thais”. He called the election in December after less than 100 days in office, seeking to ride a wave of nationalism generated by Thailand’s three-week conflict with Cambodia in December, a gamble that paid off, enabling him to consolidate the conservative vote.

Underscoring the role nationalism played in the vote, Anutin vowed to build a wall along Thailand’s border with Cambodia and strengthen the military.

“I will still have to build the wall,” he added.

Facing economic challenges ahead, Anutin previously indicated that if re-elected, he would retain the incumbent ministers of finance, foreign affairs and commerce in a new cabinet.

The new government will proceed with existing stimulus plans, including the second phase of a subsidy scheme to cut living costs, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said.

“It will build on the previous policies … and will focus more on investment,” he said, adding that the government would pursue long-term measures to “make it big and win”.

Growth could fall below 2% this year as the Thai economy grapples with problems ranging from an appreciating baht currency to US tariffs and high household debt.