With more than 90% of the votes of the past election counted, it’s now clear that the People Power Party (PPP), widely seen as the proxy for the Thai Rak Thai Party of deposed PM Thaksin, currently living in exile in London has won the election. The PPP is led by the outspoken veteran politician Samak Sundaravej. It is too early to see what the consequences for the political situation in Thailand will be, but it is certain the results will not bring an end to the polarization of the country.

The interim count of the votes, as published in the Bangkok Post is: PPP 220 votes; Democrats 162 votes, Chart Thai 40 Votes, and smaller parties a combined 48 votes. Democrat leader Abisit Vejjajiva has already made clear he will not join PPP in a coalition government, a statement echoed by some of the smaller parties. It will be some time before a government is formed, but Samak, a former Governor of Bangkok, already declared he will become PM.