国际英语新闻:Thai Opposition Wins Election

Thailand’s early election results indicate the opposition Pheu Thai party led by Yingluck Shinawatra, and backed by her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has won a majority.  Pheu Thai defeated the ruling Democrats of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and, although official results are not expected until Monday, Abhisit accepted defeat and congratulated his rival.

Thailand’s main opposition Pheu Thai party dominated Sunday’s nationwide election, the first in four years.

The contest was mainly between the ruling Democrats of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the opposition Pheu Thai, led by Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Even before official results were in, exit polls indicated Pheu Thai won a comfortable majority of seats in parliament.

The victory marks a dramatic political reversal for Thaksin and his allies nearly five years after he was forced from power in a military coup.

AP

Abhisit accepted defeat and congratulated Yingluck Shinawatra on national television, welcoming her as Thailand’s first female prime minister.  But he said the Democrats would continue to oppose Pheu Thai’s plan to grant amnesty to politicians, including Thaksin.

He says they worked very hard for more than two years and he wants to thank everyone.  From today, he says, he wishes to see unity, reconciliation, and for the new government to do as promised.  He says the Democrats will be a constructive opposition party in the parliament, but will oppose any attempt to grant amnesty to any individuals.

Yingluck is widely viewed as a proxy for her brother who, despite being twice popularly elected, was ousted by the military in 2006 over concerns he was growing too powerful.