Thailand’s pro-military party has taken an unexpected lead in the first general election since a coup in 2014.
With 93% of votes counted, the Phalang Pracharat party was first with 7.64 million votes, according to the country’s Election Commission.
“We are pleased with the results so far,” said Phalang Pracharat leader Uttama Savanayana.
Its vote total falls short of the numbers required for an outright majority in parliament.
Trailing with 7.16 million votes was Pheu Thai, a party linked to the self-exiled ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whose loyalists have won every election since 2001.
The results of the top two parties are expected to be close, with Pheu Thai taking the lion’s share.
It means the country could now face several weeks of haggling among political parties before a potentially unstable coalition government is formed.
Even without a majority of MPs, the junta leader, Prayuth Chan-ocha, will likely try to reclaim the premiership under a coalition government with the support of the senate.
Changes to the constitution under the junta have made it exceptionally difficult for opposition parties to take control.
The new rules mean that the 500 members of the lower house are elected, while the 250 members of the senate have been handpicked by the military.
