Vote counting underway in Thailand as pro-democracy opposition set to win big

Polls closed in Thailand's general election with pro-democracy opposition parties tipped to defeat the conservative military-backed government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

Polling stations closed at 5:00 pm (1000 GMT) after a smooth day of voting at the 95,000 polling stations across the country set up for the about 52 million eligible voters to cast their ballots to elect 500 members of the lower House of Parliament.

Sunday's turnout is expected to be huge, delivering big gains to opposition forces, according to the opinion surveys.

Voters are choosing between the opposition -- led by Pita Limjaroenrat's Move Forward Party alongside Pheu [For] Thai Party led by the daughter of billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, -- and the incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army general who led the last coup in 2014, and is now seeking another term in office.

The Election Commission projects a turnout of over 80 percent, with unofficial results expected around 10 p.m. (1500 GMT), according to Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong.

Opinion polls indicate the opposition Pheu Thai and Move Forward parties will gain the most seats but with no guarantee either will govern because of parliamentary rules written by the military after its 2014 coup and skewed in its favor.

Move Forward is banking on young people, including 3.3 million eligible first-time voters, to back its plans to dismantle monopolies, weaken the military's political role, and amend a strict law against insulting the monarchy that critics say is used to stifle dissent.

"Hopefully, the entire country will respect the results and the will of the people," Pita said after voting.

"People need change," Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 36, said after casting her vote, expressing "high hopes" for a landslide victory.

In 2006 the military toppled Paetongtarn’s father, Thaksin, who fled into exile in London and Dubai. Thaksin's sister, Yingluck, suffered the same fate as her brother eight years later. Now Thaksin's daughter has taken up the mantle.

"May 14 will be a historic day. We will change from a dictatorship to a democratically elected government," Paetongtarn told crowds on Friday at Pheu Thai's final rally.

The populist approach of Pheu Thai and its predecessors has been so successful that rival forces that once derided it as vote-buying - military-backed Palang Pracharat and Prayuth's United Thai Nation - now offer strikingly similar policies.

Prayuth has campaigned on continuity, hoping to woo conservative middle-class voters tired of street protests and political upheaval.

Some analysts argue the fight for power in Thailand is more than a grudge match between the polarizing Shinawatra clan and its influential rivals, with signs of a generational shift and hankering for a more progressive government.

Ben Kiatkwankul, partner at government affairs advisory Maverick Consulting Group, said "the election is a test of the conservative roots and the future of progressiveness."

"The issue is bigger than whether people like or dislike Thaksin or Prayuth. Now it's the old system facing off against the liberalist wave."

"I hope the party I voted for can make things happen as they promised when they campaigned," said business owner Nicharee Tangnoi, 29, declining to say which party she supported. The current government "has done their best and I hope the next government can do as they promise."

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