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/7158354.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Thaksin ally claims Thai poll win Thaksin ally claims Thai poll win
(10 minutes later)
The leader of the party allied to Thailand's ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra has claimed victory in the nation's general election.The leader of the party allied to Thailand's ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra has claimed victory in the nation's general election.
Samak Sundaravej said his People Power Party (PPP) would form the next government, though partial results show it is short of an outright majority.Samak Sundaravej said his People Power Party (PPP) would form the next government, though partial results show it is short of an outright majority.
The election is the first since the 2006 coup that overthrew Mr Thaksin.The election is the first since the 2006 coup that overthrew Mr Thaksin.
Correspondents say a PPP win would be a big setback to the military, which has tried to counter Mr Thaksin's allies.Correspondents say a PPP win would be a big setback to the military, which has tried to counter Mr Thaksin's allies.
Phone call
Full results are expected by about midnight (1700 GMT).Full results are expected by about midnight (1700 GMT).
But Mr Samak, 72, said: "I will be the next prime minister for sure."But Mr Samak, 72, said: "I will be the next prime minister for sure."
He said that the PPP might be "only 10 seats short of a majority", adding: "I invite all the parties to join our government."He said that the PPP might be "only 10 seats short of a majority", adding: "I invite all the parties to join our government."
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 votes
A total of 241 seats are needed for a majority in the 480-seat house.A total of 241 seats are needed for a majority in the 480-seat house.
Thai media reports said the PPP was on course to win 220-230 seats.
Mr Samak said he had spoken to Mr Thaksin, who is in Hong Kong, by telephone.
"Thaksin said 'congratulations'," Mr Samak said.
Election monitors said that voting had mostly proceeded smoothly and been well-organised, despite complaints of vote-buying and other irregularities.
The BBC's Jonathan Head says that if the PPP has not won an outright majority, there will be considerable pressure on smaller 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.
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.