Thai election candidates begin campaigns
Official campaigning for Thailand's first general elections since last year's military coup began today as 18 parties registered candidates.
Many of the 480 seats in the lower house of Parliament are likely to be won by the Democrat Party and a new group comprised of supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the People's Power Party, but neither is expected to win an outright majority in the December 23 balloting.
Traditionally the party that wins the largest number of seats is allowed to lead a coalition government with smaller parties.
The new government will face sagging economic confidence, a Muslim insurgency in the country's deep south, and lingering divisions over Thaksin's removal in a bloodless coup in September last year following months of street protests.
Manchester City football club owner Thaksin, now living in exile, was accused of massive corruption and abuse of power.
A military-backed interim government has wielded power since the generals toppled Thaksin.
But his populist policies continue to resonate among the poor in rural areas, where the People's Power Party, led by veteran rightist politician Samak Sundaravej, is likely to receive strong support.
Samak said he expects the party to capture more than 200 seats and would bring Thaksin back to Thailand "with full honour" - something the powerful military would strongly oppose.
The Democrats, also hoping to woo rural voters, have incorporated some of the ousted prime minister's policies.
"The Democrat Party has been working hard on its 'people come first' policy during the past year and we are getting a good response from the people nationwide," party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said.
Abhisit declined to predict how many seats the Democrats, the country's oldest party, would win but said he was ready to lead a coalition.
"The Democrat Party is giving priority to the well being of the people, regaining economic confidence and resolving the problem of southern Thailand, while the People's Power Party gives priority to bringing back the previous regime," Abhisit said.
Banharn Silpa-Archa, a former prime minister and leader of the Chart Thai party, which is expected to emerge third or fourth in the elections, said he would join a Democrat-led coalition.
