This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7157829.stm
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 14 | Version 15 |
|---|---|
| Thaksin allies 'lead Thai vote' | Thaksin allies 'lead Thai vote' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Initial exit polls suggest that the party allied to Thailand's ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra has taken a strong lead in general elections. | Initial exit polls suggest that the party allied to Thailand's ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra has taken a strong lead in general elections. |
| One poll gave the People Power Party (PPP) 202 out of 480 seats, while another gave it 256. | One poll gave the People Power Party (PPP) 202 out of 480 seats, while another gave it 256. |
| However, a BBC correspondent in Bangkok warns that the exit polls should be treated with caution. | However, a BBC correspondent in Bangkok warns that the exit polls should be treated with caution. |
| This is Thailand's first election since the military coup that overthrew Mr Thaksin in September 2006. | This is Thailand's first election since the military coup that overthrew Mr Thaksin in September 2006. |
| Unofficial results are expected to be announced at around midnight (1700 GMT). | |
| Election monitors say that voting has mostly proceeded smoothly and been well-organised, despite complaints of vote-buying and other irregularities. | Election monitors say that voting has mostly proceeded smoothly and been well-organised, despite complaints of vote-buying and other irregularities. |
| But all eyes will now be on the military, as there are fears of another intervention if the PPP forms a government. | But all eyes will now be on the military, as there are fears of another intervention if the PPP forms a government. |
| The BBC's Jonathan Head says that if the PPP does not win a clear majority there would be considerable pressure on the middle ranking parties to form a coalition with the PPP's main rival, the Democrats. | The BBC's Jonathan Head says that if the PPP does not win a clear majority there would be considerable pressure on the middle ranking parties to form a coalition with the PPP's main rival, the Democrats. |
| But, he says, this could lead to further instability as a multi-party government could well prove weak and short-lived. | But, he says, this could lead to further instability as a multi-party government could well prove weak and short-lived. |
| Coalition building | Coalition building |
| Thai voters give their views on who should run their countryIn pictures | Thai voters give their views on who should run their countryIn pictures |
| Mr Thaksin himself has been in exile since the coup, and he and his Thai Rak Thai party were banned from politics by the military government. | Mr Thaksin himself has been in exile since the coup, and he and his Thai Rak Thai party were banned from politics by the military government. |
| But his allies have resurfaced under the PPP banner, and analysts say they have benefited from Mr Thaksin's populist appeal, especially in the countryside. | But his allies have resurfaced under the PPP banner, and analysts say they have benefited from Mr Thaksin's populist appeal, especially in the countryside. |
| "This country has been handed a very bad government in the past for several years," one voter told the BBC. | "This country has been handed a very bad government in the past for several years," one voter told the BBC. |
| "So this is a time for people to show their right to choose the right person." | "So this is a time for people to show their right to choose the right person." |
| Bangkok's Suan Dusit College said the PPP had won 256 out of the 480 parliamentary seats, giving it a clear majority. | Bangkok's Suan Dusit College said the PPP had won 256 out of the 480 parliamentary seats, giving it a clear majority. |
| But Assumption University's ABAC poll said the PPP had only won enough votes for 202 seats - in line with pre-election expectations. | But Assumption University's ABAC poll said the PPP had only won enough votes for 202 seats - in line with pre-election expectations. |
| If the latter poll is right, there will be period of bargaining with other parties and a coalition government is expected. | If the latter poll is right, there will be period of bargaining with other parties and a coalition government is expected. |
| Return from exile | Return from exile |
| The AFP agency reports that Surapong Suebwonglee, secretary general of PPP said the poll was "a victory for people and democracy". | The AFP agency reports that Surapong Suebwonglee, secretary general of PPP said the poll was "a victory for people and democracy". |
| "It shows that the coup one-and-a-half years ago has not benefited the country or anyone," he said. | "It shows that the coup one-and-a-half years ago has not benefited the country or anyone," he said. |
| Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who deposed Mr Thaksin in September 2006 to become deputy prime minister in an interim government that he appointed, urged Thais to vote for "good people loyal" to the monarchy. | Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who deposed Mr Thaksin in September 2006 to become deputy prime minister in an interim government that he appointed, urged Thais to vote for "good people loyal" to the monarchy. |
| The PPP's right-wing leader Samak Sundaravej, 72, says he expects Mr Thaksin will return to Thailand from self-imposed exile in the UK after the election if PPP win an outright majority. | The PPP's right-wing leader Samak Sundaravej, 72, says he expects Mr Thaksin will return to Thailand from self-imposed exile in the UK after the election if PPP win an outright majority. |
| The former prime minister still faces a number of corruption charges in Thailand. | The former prime minister still faces a number of corruption charges in Thailand. |