Thai PM Prayuth lags rivals in opinion polls ahead of May election

FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the prime ministerial candidate from the United Thai Nation Party (Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party), reacts during an upcoming general election campaign in Bangkok, Thailand, April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is still lagging behind the main opposition party, latest opinion polls showed, ahead of the Southeast Asian country's general election next month.

The May 14 election will be a battle between parties aligned with the conservative pro-military establishment and the billionaire Shinawatra family-backed Pheu Thai party, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 36-year-old daughter and niece of two ex-premiers.