Thailand opposition crushes military parties in election rout

FILE PHOTO: Electoral workers prepare ahead of the upcoming general election, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 13, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's opposition secured a stunning election win on Sunday after trouncing parties allied with the military, setting the stage for a flurry of deal-making over forming a government in a bid to end nearly a decade of conservative, army-backed rule.

The liberal Move Forward party and the populist Pheu Thai Party were far out in front with 99% of votes counted, but it was far from certain either will form the next government, with parliamentary rules written by the military after its 2014 coup skewed in its favour.