Pro-democracy opposition parties have taken an imposing lead in Thailand’s national elections with 99 per cent of votes counted, as voters delivered a rebuke to the military in a contest that could herald the country’s first transfer of power for a decade.
Sunday’s election represents the strongest chance for Thai voters to reclaim control from a military-aligned government and halt a cycle of military coups, violent crackdowns and political turmoil during which Thailand’s economic growth has lagged behind that of regional neighbours.
The progressive Move Forward party came top, followed closely by the Pheu Thai party, Thailand’s largest opposition group, preliminary results from Thailand’s Election Commission showed.