Thai election: Opposition Pheu Thai Party wins most seats

The opposition Pheu Thai Party has won the most seats in Thailand’s first election since a military coup in 2014, the country’s Election Commission says.

(BBC) – Backed by ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, the party took 136 seats, while the ruling pro-military Palang Pracha Rath Party (PPRP) took 115.

However the 250-seat Senate is expected to back PPRP, giving them an advantage in their bid to stay in power.

The vote count was marred by delays and complaints of irregularities.

Results were released more than six weeks after voting, and come days after a three-day coronation that saw the country’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn crowned in a series of elaborate ceremonial rites.

Thailand has been buffeted by political instability for years, largely a battle between supporters of the military and former Prime Minister Thaksin.

The country has long been politically split between populist politicians who appeal to rural and poorer voters, and their opponents – who tend to support the military and draw votes from the urban middle class and elites.

The 2014 coup was the 12th time the military has toppled the government since absolute monarchy ended in the 1930s.

What does the result mean?

A vote for the next prime minister is expected to happen within a few weeks.

The result means that the military government will remain in charge, and its current military leader Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha of the PPRP is likely to keep his job.

Under the election rules, the Senate votes together with the house to pick the next prime minister – and the military picks all 250 seats in the upper house.

This means the PPRP needs fewer small parties to support it in order to gain enough votes in the house and Senate combined to choose the next leader.

The military has been criticised for taking steps to ensure it would remain influential in politics, including changing the constitution in 2017.