BANGKOK — The party of the fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra won an overwhelming victory in a parliamentary election on Sunday that could turn Thai politics on its head and roll back the results of a coup that ousted Mr. Thaksin five years ago.
Agnes Dherbeys for The New York Times
Supporters of Yingluck Shinawatra celebrated after exit polls appeared to give the Pheu Thai party a victory.
Agnes Dherbeys for The New York Times
Early election returns showed the Pheu Thai party, headed by Mr. Thaksin’s youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, with a commanding lead.
In a contest that was seen as a referendum on Thailand’s recent turmoil, the Pheu Thai party, headed by Mr. Thaksin’s youngest sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, 44, appeared headed for an absolute majority of the 500-seat Parliament. With 98 percent of the votes counted late Sunday night, her party won a projected 264 seats.
The governing Democrat party won just 160 seats, and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva conceded defeat.
Ms. Yingluck, a businesswoman with no political experience, was selected to head the party by her brother, who called her his “clone.” She proved to be a brilliant campaigner.
SOURCE: The New York Times
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