Allies of Thailand's fugitive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra have stormed to victory in elections, in a remarkable comeback after years of turmoil sparked by his ouster in a military coup.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva conceded defeat and congratulated the opposition led by Thaksin's youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who is now set to become Thailand first female premier.
With about 97% of votes counted, Puea Thai had won a clear majority with 263 seats out of 500, well ahead of Abhisit's Democrats with 161, according to the election commission.
‘The outcome is clear - Puea Thai has won the election and the Democrats are defeated,’ Mr Abhisit told supporters at the party's Bangkok headquarters.
The poll was the first major electoral test for the elite-backed government since mass demonstrations by Thaksin's ‘Red Shirt’ supporters last year paralysed Bangkok and unleashed the worst political violence in decades.
A smiling Ms Yingluck earlier addressed jubilant supports at the Puea Thai Party's headquarters in the Thai capital, saying: ‘Thaksin has called to congratulate me and said there was a tough job ahead.’
The 44-year-old businesswoman, a political novice who Mr Thaksin has described as his ‘clone’, said she was working on building a coalition with the smaller Chart Thai Pattana and other parties.
‘People are giving me a chance and I will work to my best ability,’ she added.
Amid fears that an opposition victory could unleash more deadly protests or even another army takeover, Mr Thaksin called on all sides to respect the outcome of the ballot.
‘All parties must respect the people's decision otherwise our country cannot achieve peace,’ the former billionaire telecoms tycoon told Thai television by telephone from his base in Dubai.
‘I think people want to see reconciliation. They want to move forward,’ he said. ‘We will not seek revenge.’
Toppled by the military in 2006 and now living in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, Mr Thaksin nevertheless dominated the election in Thailand, where he remains a hugely divisive figure.
He is adored by rural voters for his populist policies while in power such as cheap healthcare and microcredit schemes, but hated by the ruling elite who see him as corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to the revered monarchy.
Protest fears
Political observers had said a close result could have fuelled a fresh round of street protests or military intervention, but a clear win by the opposition will make it harder for the generals to justify seizing power.
The Puea Thai party has proposed an amnesty for convicted politicians - a move apparently aimed at bringing Mr Thaksin home, where he faces terrorism charges in connection with the April-May 2010 protests.
Asked about his plans, Mr Thaksin said today he hoped to see his daughter marry in Thailand in December.
‘I don't have to return home soon. I can stay here, but I just really want to attend my daughter's wedding. I don't want to cause trouble by returning home.’
The military is a constant wildcard in a nation that has seen almost as many coups as elections. The judiciary also has a record of intervening in politics.
Mr Thaksin or his allies have won the most seats in the past four elections, but the courts reversed the results of the last two polls.
British-born Mr Abhisit took office in a 2008 parliamentary vote after a court ruling threw out the previous administration, and he was accused by his foes of being an unelected puppet of the military and the establishment.
