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 2 Version 3
First post-coup vote in Thailand First post-coup vote in Thailand
(about 3 hours later)
People in Thailand are voting in the first general election since the military coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last year. People in Thailand are voting in the first general election since the military coup that overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last year.
A total of 480 parliamentary seats are being contested, under a new constitution introduced in August.A total of 480 parliamentary seats are being contested, under a new constitution introduced in August.
Mr Thaksin is in exile and has been banned from politics, but a new party set up by his followers has been leading in the opinion polls.Mr Thaksin is in exile and has been banned from politics, but a new party set up by his followers has been leading in the opinion polls.
Analysts say all eyes will be on the military should the party win outright.Analysts say all eyes will be on the military should the party win outright.
The army insists the election is restoring democracy.The army insists the election is restoring democracy.
Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who deposed Mr Thaksin in September 2006, promised that a victory for the ousted prime minister's allies would not bring turmoil. 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.
About 45 million Thais are eligible to vote. Military intervention fears
Weakened role The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says there are fears of another military intervention if the new party allied to Mr Thaksin, the People Power Party (PPP), wins enough seats to form a government.
The new party allied to Mr Thaksin, the People Power Party (PPP), is led by outspoken right-wing politician Samak Sundaravej. None of the other parties contesting the election, many of them formed after the coup, have managed to rival Mr Thaksin's populist appeal in the countryside and among the urban poor, says our correspondent.
Mr Samak, 72, has said Mr Thaksin, who still faces a number of corruption charges, will return to Thailand from London about a month after the elections. Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to be a key player after the election
Thaksin Shinawatra will be a key player after the election The PPP's right-wing leader Samak Sundaravej, 72, says Mr Thaksin, who still faces a number of corruption charges, will return to Thailand from self-imposed exile in the UK after the election.
The PPP draws on the massive support Mr Thaksin had in rural areas. Considered a reincarnation of Mr Thaksin's outlawed Thai Rak Thai Party, the PPP is ahead in opinion polls, but analysts say it is likely to fall short of an absolute majority.
Although ahead in opinion polls it is likely to fall short of an absolute majority. If that happens a period of bargaining with other parties over a coalition is expected.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says that if that happens there will almost certainly follow a period of bargaining with other parties over a coalition.
In any case, he says, the new constitution significantly weakens the power of the prime minister.
The PPP's main rival is the Democrat Party, headed by 43-year-old film star Abhisit Vejajjiva, which has strong support among the urban middle class.The PPP's main rival is the Democrat Party, headed by 43-year-old film star Abhisit Vejajjiva, which has strong support among the urban middle class.
Mr Abhisit said Mr Thaksin should return "to face charges here so justice will prevail". 'Night of the howling dogs'
The English-born Mr Abhisit has said Mr Thaksin should return to face corruption charges.
The ousted former prime minister, a one-time telecoms billionaire, lives in London and owns the Manchester City football club.
Polling stations opened at 0800 local time (0100 GMT) on Sunday.Polling stations opened at 0800 local time (0100 GMT) on Sunday.
Some 200,000 soldiers and police have been deployed nationwide. Unofficial results are expected by midnight on Sunday a turnout of about 70% is predicted.
The Election Commission has said it expects unofficial results by midnight on Sunday and predicts a turnout of about 70%. Thousands of soldiers have been deployed throughout the country
The Election Commission has already received hundreds of complaints about alleged election fraud, mostly related to vote-buying.
The night before elections in Thailand is known as the "night of the howling dogs," because canvassers knock on doors in rural parts to offer cash for votes.
Many voters queuing to cast ballots in Bangkok were wearing yellow or pink shirts in honour of the nation's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Housewife Somjit Hongthong, 53, told AFP news agency: "I'm glad we're having this election today, so we can hold our heads high to show the rest of the world that we are a democratic country."
The polls are being guarded by thousands of troops, most of them in the Muslim-majority south of the country, where an insurgency has claimed hundreds of lives.
Last year's coup was the 18th in 75 years of on-and-off democracy.
The Bangkok Post said in an editorial: "Maybe the single greatest wish is that the military will really 'return to the barracks' and not seek to retain some measure of control over Government House."