Thailand votes in early election with 3 main parties vying for power

BANGKOK (AP) — Voters in Thailand head to the polls on Sunday for an early general election seen as a three-way race among competing visions of progressive, populist and old-fashioned patronage politics. **media[77643]** The battle for support from 53 million registered voters comes against a backdrop of slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment. While more than 50 parties are contesting the polls, only three — the People\'s Party, Bhumjaithai, and Pheu Thai — have the nationwide organization and popularity to gain a winning mandate. A simple majority of the 500 elected lawmakers selects the next prime minister. No outright winner expected Local polls consistently project that no single party will gain a majority, necessitating the formation of a coalition government. Although the progressive People\'s Party is seen as favored to win a plurality, its reformist politics aren\'t shared by its leading rivals, which may freeze it out by joining forces to form a government. The People\'s Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, is the successor to the Move Forward Party, which won the most House seats in 2023, but was blocked from forming a government by conservative lawmakers and then forced to dissolve. Reformist party softens its pitch Its platform continues to promise sweeping reforms of the military, police...