The admosphere at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters became tense after an early vote count showed MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra of the Democrat Party was ahead of its candidate Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen.
Soon after the end of the voting at 3pm, Pheu Thai members and supporters were cheerful and roared with joy after hearing the results of both early and exit polls which showed Pol Gen Pongsapat the clear leader.
But the atmosphere soured after the results of an early vote count from all districts indicated that it was MR Sukhumbhand who was leading. The gap between their votes became wider and wider after 5pm.
Pol Gen Pongsapat and Pheu Thai core leaders including party secretary-general Phumtham Vechayachai, party leader Jarupong Ruangsuwan, Chaturon Chaisaeng, Somchai Wongsawat and Yaowapa Wongsawat arrived at the headquarters shortly after the voting ended.
Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit thanked the Bangkok people for exercising their voting right despite the widespread rain, saying the party believed the vote count would be clean and fair.