Thai junta poised to retain power as Nation awaits vote result

In Thailand, the junta is appearing poised to hold on to power in the first general election in the country since the 2014 military coup.

Sunday's poll, seen as a referendum on the military, was held under new rules written by the junta to ease its transformation into a civilian government. 

People turned out in large numbers to vote, their enthusiasm fired by years of denied democracy.



Despite that, with 93 per cent of ballots tallied, pro-military Phalang Pracharat party had nearly half a million more votes than the main opposition Pheu Thai. 

While the official results will not be announced until after the coronation of King Vajiralongkorn in May, the Election Commission is scheduled to announce the unofficial results later today.