Thailand election commission delays announcing official results, as military-backed party surprises opposition by taking lead

Thailand’s election commission said it cannot announce the official results of Sunday’s election until May 9, after the king’s coronation. With 95 per cent of ballots counted, the Palang Pracharat Party, led by incumbent prime minister and former general Prayuth Chan-ocha, is projected to win the most parliamentary seats. Such a victory would deal a major blow to the main opposition Pheu Thai Party, which had been leading in exit polls until the momentum suddenly changed late on Sunday night. But now that Thais have exercised democracy for the first time in five years, many issues remain, including allegations of voter irregularities, and healing a population that is still very much politically fragtured. The South China Morning Post’s Asia correspondent Bhavan Jaipragas and Thai journalist Vijitra Duangdee break down what happened and the implications the election results will have on Thailand’s future.