Pheu Thai Obtains Simple Majority

BANGKOK, July 3 (Bernama) -- Opposition Pheu Thai led by its de facto leader, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, won a simple majority in the Thai general election with 255 seats of the 500 parliamentary seats as at 8pm (Malaysian time: 9pm).

According to the Royal Thai Police and Election Commission counts, 83.69 per cent of the votes had been counted as at 8pm.

The former ruling party Democrat obtained 163 seats, Bhumjai Thai 35 seats, Chart Thai Pattana 21 seats and Chart Thai Pattana Phea Pandin 10 seats.

Small parties such as Palong Chan won seven seats, Rak Thailand four seats, Matubhum two seats, and Rak Santi and New Democrat Party one seat each.

Yingluck Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai incoming prime minister said she would do her best in performing her duty and not to disappoint the trust Thais had given her.

Speaking at her party's headquarters here, she said her first priority would be solving the country's economic problems and work towards the country's reconciliation process in order for the country to move forward.

"I don't want to say Pheu Thai has won the election but I would like to say Thais have won the election," she said.

Yingluck, 44, the youngest sister of Thaksin, promised to carry out every election promise made by her party.

These include free tablet computer for every student and a one million Baht (about RM100,000) fund for every village in the country for its development programmes, corporate tax reduction from 30 per cent to 23 per cent, and to eradicate poverty within four years.

Fresh graduates will be guaranteed a minimum monthly salary of 15,000 Baht (RM1,500) and the minimum wage of 300 Baht (RM30) per day. She said her party executives had already held talks with Chart Thai Pattana to form a coalition government and planned to talk with another political party in the future.

However, she did not name the other political party.

Prior to this, Thaksin had indicated that Pheu Thai would form a coalition government even if it managed to secure a single party government as his past experience showed that it was rather difficult to work if all losing parties become the opposition.

Yingluck graduated with a Bachelor's degree in political science from Chiangmai University and a Master's in public administration from Kentucky State University.

She was the president of SC Asset Corporation, a property development company, is married to a businessman and they have a son.

She thanked all the political parties, voters and authorities for ensuring a smooth and peaceful election. Meanwhile, outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva welcomed Pheu Thai's victory in the election and said Thailand would have the first female prime minister. He thanked all Thais who have voted for his party.

Speaking at his party's headquarter, here, Abhisit also thanked all for the smooth election.

The full unofficial election results are expected to be announced by 10pm (Malaysian time: 11pm) and the Election Commission has until Aug 2 to confirm the results.

-- BERNAMA