2011 Thai general election
General elections were held in Thailand on 3 July 2011 to elect the 24th House of Representatives.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All 500 seats in the House of Representatives 251 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 75.03% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Politics of Thailand |
|---|
Thailand portal
|
The protestors of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) or "Red Shirts" who occupied downtown Bangkok in April and May 2010 had demanded new elections. The government's counter-proposal to hold elections on 14 November 2010 was rejected by them and was followed by a violent crackdown when the protestors refused to disperse. Elections were finally announced in May 2011.
With a turnout of 75%, populist Pheu Thai Party won a majority with 265 seats. Its leader Yingluck Shinawatra became the first female prime minister in the history of Thailand. The Democrat Party therefore became the main opposition party with a total of 159 seats.
The election results were acknowledged on 27 July after the Election Commission dealt with a number of objections regarding alleged irregularities. Reelections and recount were ordered to be held in several provinces, due to electoral fraud discovered by the commission. The first session of the National Assembly was convoked on Monday, 1 August at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and its state opening was held at the same time.
Following the victory by Pheu Thai Party, several countries, including Germany and Japan, lifted the ban that had once been imposed upon Thaksin Shinawatra, a convicted felon in Thailand.