Progressive reformists, military-backed conservatives, and populist forces are competing in the closely watched election.
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Voting has begun for the general election in Thailand.
Polls opened at 8 a.m. local time on Sunday and will close at 5 p.m., Al Jazeera reported. Progressive reformists, military-backed conservatives and populist forces are competing in the closely watched election.
Thailand, which has 53 million registered voters, has been embroiled in a fierce debate over sluggish economic growth and rising nationalist sentiment.
More than 50 parties are participating in the election, but the main contenders are the People's Party, Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai.
Opinion polls show that no party is likely to win a clear majority in the 500-seat election.
However, the progressive People's Party is expected to win the most seats. However, it is said that its opponents do not like its agenda, which includes promises to reduce the influence of the military and the courts and break economic monopolies.
The party is the successor to the Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the House of Representatives in 2023. But the military-appointed Senate blocked the transfer of power.
The party was dissolved by a court after it demanded reforms to Thailand's strict laws on royal insults.
