Thais are keenly awaiting the first general election in eight years on Sunday.

Surveys by several institutions, including the King Prajadhipok's Institute, show an overwhelming number of people eligible to vote plan to go to the polls, which will choose parliament members under a new constitution and indirectly decide who would become the next prime minister.

Viboon, a 47-year-old company employee in Bangkok, said he has been looking forward to exercising his right after nearly five years of military rule that followed a coup in 2014.

"I have never skipped an election except when I was studying abroad...I hope this election will bring Thailand back to real democracy," he said.

Thanapoom Charoenthammakitti, 57, a business owner in Hat Yai in southern Thailand, said he will not only go to vote in the early morning but also monitor the voting process in his constituency throughout the day to ensure the election will be transparent.

Mr Thanapoom said it is time for the country to finally move on from a period of instability and political fighting which prompted the military coup in 2014.

Naphat Ongpichetmetha, 20, is among the many Thais who will be voting for the first time in their lives. The university student said she is both excited and nervous -- nervous because she is unsure the party she votes for will truly follow through on its campaign promises.

The Election Commission said 87% of the 2.6 million voters who registered for early voting last Sunday cast their ballots. About 49 million Thais have yet to go to the poll.