Leading Thai Rak Thai figure Suranand Vejjajiva said he was grateful to the people who made the effort to vote because this particular election was all about democracy.

Suranand said it was not known whether the ballot would resolve the political crisis as that would have to wait for the prime minister's decision on political reform.

He said the election was difficult for the party because it had no one to fight as the opposition Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon parties had boycotted the poll.

"We had to fight with ourselves because we had to receive a turnout of more than 20 per cent [where unopposed]," he said.

Thai Rak Thai secretary-general Suriya Jungrungreangkit said the party was ready to accept the result even if its lone candidates did not receive 20 per cent.

He said the Election Commission (EC) would have to hold subsequent by-elections to fill those seats still vacant.

Former House Speaker Bhokin Bhalakula said if the election resulted in less than the 400 constituency seats being filled and some constituencies getting less than 20 per cent turnout, the EC should call another election.

He said the EC could call elections continuously until it has the full complement of MPs because the democratic system had to be allowed to work.

In a constituency where only one candidate is running, the candidate must win at least 20 per cent of the eligible votes to secure the seat under Article 74 of the election law. If not, new polls must be held until the requirement is met. A new government cannot be formed until 500 constituency and party-list candidates are elected.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation