Thailand holds provincial elections in test of democracy

A woman wearing a face shield votes in the provincial election in Nonthaburi on Sunday (Dec 20), - Reuters

NONTHABURI, Thailand, Dec 20 (Reuters): Thais voted nationwide on Sunday in provincial elections that mark the first test of democracy since a general election last year that drew accusations of manipulation and helped spawn months of youth protests.

The elections in Thailand's 76 provinces outside the capital Bangkok are the first since Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who kept power after last year's ballot, overthrew an elected government in a military coup.