The ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) appeared on course to winning the Nakhon Si Thammarat by-election in a fiercely-fought battle with the coalition Democrat Party, the traditionally dominant player.
PPRP's Ayasit Srisuwan raked in 48,720 votes, ahead of Democrat's Pongsin Senpong who received 44,620 votes with Kla Party's candidate Sarawut Suwannarat, in a distant third with 6,222 votes and Seri Ruam Thai Party's Apirat Rattanapan with 2,305 votes, according to unofficial vote count at 9.20pm last night.
Ayasit: Leads tally by wide margin
The by-election was called to find a replacement for Thepthai Senpong, a Democrat purged by the Constitutional Court. Mr Thepthai is Mr Pongsin's elder brother.