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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. 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. But emerging partial results suggest the People Power Party (PPP) will fall short of an outright majority, and a coalition government is likely.
However a BBC correspondent in Bangkok warns that the exit polls should be treated with caution. The pattern may change again, given that early results tend to come in from urban areas where the PPP is weaker.
This is Thailand's first election since the military coup that overthrew Mr Thaksin in September 2006. It is the first election since the 2006 coup that overthrew Mr Thaksin.
Unofficial results are expected to be announced at around midnight (1700 GMT). Instability fears
With 45% of ballots counted nationwide, the PPP was expected to win 230 of the 480 seats in parliament, Thai local TV was quoted as saying by AFP.
According to an Election Commission official speaking off the record to The Associated Press, 40% had been counted and the PPP was set to net 229 seats.
Full unofficial results are expected to be announced at about 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.
The exit polls are divided on whether the PPP has won an outright majority.The exit polls are divided on whether the PPP has won an outright majority.
The BBC's Jonathan Head says that if it has not, there will be considerable pressure on middle-ranking parties to form a coalition with the PPP's main rival, the Democrats.The BBC's Jonathan Head says that if it has not, there will be considerable pressure on 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 buildingCoalition building
POST-COUP TIMELINE September 2006: Coup overthrows Thaksin ShinawatraOctober 2006: Retired General Surayud Chulanont is appointed interim leaderMay 2007: Court bans Mr Thaksin from politics for five years, and dissolves his partyAugust 2007: Voters approve a new constitution 23 December 2007: Election held Key election figuresThailand's turbulent yearProfile: Thaksin ShinawatraIn pictures: Thailand votesPOST-COUP TIMELINE September 2006: Coup overthrows Thaksin ShinawatraOctober 2006: Retired General Surayud Chulanont is appointed interim leaderMay 2007: Court bans Mr Thaksin from politics for five years, and dissolves his partyAugust 2007: Voters approve a new constitution 23 December 2007: Election held Key election figuresThailand's turbulent yearProfile: Thaksin ShinawatraIn pictures: Thailand votes
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.
One voter, Roongchai, told the BBC that he liked Thaksin because he was "brave enough to change things".One voter, Roongchai, told the BBC that he liked Thaksin because he was "brave enough to change things".
"He might have made mistakes, but overall he brought positive change.""He might have made mistakes, but overall he brought positive change."
Return from exile?Return from exile?
Thai voters give their views on who should run their countryIn pictures Surapong Suebwonglee, secretary general of PPP, said the poll was "a victory for people and democracy".Thai voters give their views on who should run their countryIn pictures 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 told the AFP news agency."It shows that the coup one-and-a-half years ago has not benefited the country or anyone," he told the AFP news agency.
The PPP's right-wing leader Samak Sundaravej, 72, says he expects Mr Thaksin to return to Thailand from self-imposed exile in the UK if PPP wins an outright majority.The PPP's right-wing leader Samak Sundaravej, 72, says he expects Mr Thaksin to return to Thailand from self-imposed exile in the UK if PPP wins an outright majority.
If he does return to the Thailand, Mr Thaksin will have to answer a number of corruption charges levelled against him in the courts.If he does return to the Thailand, Mr Thaksin will have to answer a number of corruption charges levelled against him in the courts.