Thais go to the polls tomorrow
Thaksin's re-election as prime minister is almost certain.

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Outgoing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to be re-elected in tomorrow's parliamentary elections.

The latest surveys give a commanding lead to his Thai Rak Thai (Thais love Thais) Party, which should win around 350 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives.

The Opposition warns however of dictatorship if the Mr Thaksin should win elections.

But a spokesperson for the ruling party said that "democracy is live and well in the country. The fact that everyone could run during the campaign is proof of that. Thai Rak Thai is just a party that is able to convince the people".

Thaksin, 55, is the only democratically-elected Thai politician to complete his term in office.

He is also the founder and owner of Shin Corporation, Thailand's largest telecommunication company which heads a group of 60 other enterprises.

International money markets see a Thaksin re-election as a positive step because of his credibility in restoring the national economy badly affected by the recent tsunami.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a population of almost 65 million.

Its GDP is US$ 475 billion and its economy has been growing at a rate of 6.4 per cent.