Thailand's 2014 coup leader and junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha is one step closer to power after a shock election Sunday that lifted his party ahead in the popular vote.

Emerging as swing parties potentially supporting one of the two camps hoping to successfully form the next government, the Democrat Party has stated its strong stance against joining the pro-Shinawatra camp, while Bhumjaithai remains silent about which way it will lean.

An international election-observer group on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to announce the official result of the general election as soon as possible, in order to ensure the transparency and integrity of the poll and prevent any suspicions escalating into distrust and conflict, particularly in regard to doubtful unofficial-votes counting.

The European Union [EU] has praised Sunday’s election in Thailand as an important step towards restoring a democratic form of governance.

Junta chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday dabbled in metaphor to convey the importance of following one’s hopes and dreams after his affiliated party won the popular vote in the recent general election.

Will this election deliver democracy to Thailand? Here is the ultimate litmus test.

The preliminary results of Sunday’s election point to either a military-backed government (Phalang Pracharat) or a ruling coalition led by a notoriously corrupt party (Pheu Thai).

Pro-military party scores another coup as Thaksin’s grip weakens

Thailand's election was marred by "irregularities" and "rigged" to ensure the military retain their political grip on the kingdom, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra told AFP in an interview on Monday.

Pheu Thai and Phalang Pracharat both claim right to form government with support of likeminded parties

Jarungvith blames ‘human error’ as social media erupts with ridicule.

ACCORDING to a key election monitor, Sunday’s election was not free or fair.

Small parties have vowed to continue campaigning and slowly building support after failing to make much of an impression at the ballot box on Sunday.

SUNDAY’S election saw some shocking results with long-time political heavyweights knocked out by novices in their traditional strongholds.

Thai Airways International (THAI) president Sumeth Damrongchaitham on Monday said the ballots from advance voting by Thais in New Zealand had arrived at the carrier’s cargo centre on Saturday evening, but no one came to pick them up until the morning of the election.