Abhisit admits defeat in Thai election

The Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has conceded defeat as exit polls showed that the opposition Puea Thai Party would win a majority.

Mr Vejjajiva congratulated Puea Thai’s prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra, the youngest sister of the country’s ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, on her victory.

He said: “It is now clear from the election results so far that the Puea Thai Party has won the election, and the Democrat Party concedes defeat. I would like to congratulate the Puea Thai Party for the right to form a government.”

But Ms Shinawatra, 44, said she preferred to wait for the official announcement before celebrating an election victory that will see her become Thailand‘s first female premier.

The results appear to be a rebuke of the traditional establishment of generals, wealthy families and royal advisers in Bangkok who supported Abhisit, and an endorsement of the populist economic policies of his predecessor.

It is now clear from the election results so far that the Puea Thai Party has won the election. Abhisit Vejjajiva

Mr Shinawatra won back-to-back elections in 2001 and 2005 but was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai.

But he remains a popular figure in rural Thailand and among the urban poor in the north of the country, where supporters wear red shirts as a symbol of loyalty.

He said the country’s unity, undermined by numerous clashes between his “red-shirts” and the royalist “yellow-shirts”, depends on what happens after the election.

Mr Shinawatra said: “The factor is not only the election. The election is part of the factor.

“What will happen to the reconciliation plan is important. Can we really make the reconciliation happen? How can we bring about peace to our country that will enable people to carry on living their lives?”

The election is Thailand’s 26th since it became a democracy in 1932, ending seven centuries of absolute monarchy.

Since then, it has seen 18 military coups or coup attempts.

There remains a chance that the outcome of the election could be spoiled by Thailand’s courts, whose rulings have removed two prime ministers, disbanded six parties, jailed three election commissioners and banned more than 250 politicians since the 2006 coup.

Read John Sparks's blog from Bangkok
She owes her sudden elevation in life to her big brother, Thaksin Shinawatra. He chose her to lead the latest version of his own party - called Puea Thai - a decision that was nothing short of a masterstroke.
Her good looks and easygoing nature went down a storm. She also benefits from the Shinawatra brand.