Allies of Thailand's fugitive ex-leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, stormed to victory in elections in a remarkable comeback after years of turmoil sparked by his overthrow in a military coup.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva conceded defeat on Sunday and congratulated the opposition led by Thaksin's youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who is now set to become Thailand first female premier.
With almost all the 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, which estimated turnout at 74 per cent.
"The outcome is clear - Puea Thai has won the election and the Democrats are defeated," 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 Yingluck earlier addressed jubilant supports at her party headquarters in the Thai capital, saying: "Thaksin has called to congratulate me and said there was a tough job ahead."
The 44-year-old telegenic businesswoman, a political novice who 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 said.
Amid fears that an opposition victory could unleash more deadly protests or even another army takeover, 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, 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.
The election is seen as a major test of the kingdom's ability to emerge from its long political crisis, which has seen years of street protests by Thaksin's Red Shirt supporters and the rival Yellow Shirt royalists.
More than 170,000 police were deployed to secure the vote, but it appeared to proceed peacefully. Long queues were seen at polling stations.
Washington praised what it called "robust participation" in the election.
"The choice of who will lead Thailand now rests with those representatives elected by the Thai people," said State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland.
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 Thaksin home, where he faces terrorism charges in connection with the April-May 2010 protests.
More than 90 people, mostly civilians, died in a series of street clashes between mostly unarmed red-clad protesters loyal to Thaksin and government soldiers firing live ammunition in the streets of the capital.
Many doubt the Bangkok-based establishment in government, military and palace circles would allow the one-time owner of Manchester City football club to come back as a free man.
If Thaksin tries to return, the army may "strike back", said Thai academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun, of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.
"If he sets foot in Thailand, the military could accuse him of coming back and trying to create disunity among Thais."
Asked about his plans, Thaksin said 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.
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 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.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva conceded defeat on Sunday and congratulated the opposition led by Thaksin's youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who is now set to become Thailand first female premier.
With almost all the 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, which estimated turnout at 74 per cent.
"The outcome is clear - Puea Thai has won the election and the Democrats are defeated," 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 Yingluck earlier addressed jubilant supports at her party headquarters in the Thai capital, saying: "Thaksin has called to congratulate me and said there was a tough job ahead."
The 44-year-old telegenic businesswoman, a political novice who 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 said.
Amid fears that an opposition victory could unleash more deadly protests or even another army takeover, 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, 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.
The election is seen as a major test of the kingdom's ability to emerge from its long political crisis, which has seen years of street protests by Thaksin's Red Shirt supporters and the rival Yellow Shirt royalists.
More than 170,000 police were deployed to secure the vote, but it appeared to proceed peacefully. Long queues were seen at polling stations.
Washington praised what it called "robust participation" in the election.
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 Thaksin home, where he faces terrorism charges in connection with the April-May 2010 protests.
More than 90 people, mostly civilians, died in a series of street clashes between mostly unarmed red-clad protesters loyal to Thaksin and government soldiers firing live ammunition in the streets of the capital.
Many doubt the Bangkok-based establishment in government, military and palace circles would allow the one-time owner of Manchester City football club to come back as a free man.
If Thaksin tries to return, the army may "strike back", said Thai academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun, of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.
"If he sets foot in Thailand, the military could accuse him of coming back and trying to create disunity among Thais."
Asked about his plans, Thaksin said 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.
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 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.
