Pro-army party leads Thai election race
THAILAND’S military-backed political party was last night heading for an unexpected win over its populist rival which has led a “democratic front” in the first election since a 2014 coup.
Early results, announced by the country’s election commission after 89 per cent of votes had been counted, put Phalang Pracharat, led by military junta chief Prayuth Chan-o-cha, ahead with seven million votes. The opposition Pheu Thai party had 6.6 million.
However, in a late twist, Ittiporn Boonprakong, the commission’s chairman, said that the full unofficial results would only be declared this morning, without giving any reason for such a delay.
Polling day saw a high turnout among Thailand’s 51.2million eligible voters, many of whom were determined to cast their ballots after five years under military rule headed by
General Prayuth.
The close result reflects deep divisions that remain between supporters of the pro-monarchy junta and those who back Pheu Thai and other parties aligned with Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire former prime minister who now lives in exile.
Junta critics have blamed rule by the military for the poor performance of the economy and a lack of democratic freedoms, while its supporters claim the army has stabilised the country.
The odds are weighted in favour of the junta returning to power through the civilian Phalang Pracharat Party, due to recent electoral reforms which have been denounced by opposition parties as unfair.
The official election results do not have to be declared until May 8.
Early polls also indicated a strong performance for the new Future Forward party led by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a charismatic young motor-parts tycoon.
Mr Thanathorn energised many of the seven million first-time voters by vowing to end military “dictatorship” and tackle Thailand’s inequalities.