Campaigning has officially begun in Thailand's first general election since Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, was ousted in a coup last year.
Eighteen parties are fielding candidates for December 23 the poll with none of them expected to win an outright majority.
Registration for candidates began on Wednesday, with a festive atmosphere in Bangkok as leaders of the key parties handed in their lists to the official Election Commission at a city stadium.
"This election is crucial for our country. It will lead our country to full democratic rule," commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond told the assembled party leaders.
He said he wanted to offer assurances that the commission was neutral throughout the campaign.
Parties have until Sunday to register candidates who will contest 80 party list seats in parliament, which are voted for according to regional zones.
Registration opens on Monday for candidates contesting 400 constituency seats.
'Free and fair'
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Thaksin still has strong support
among many Thais [EPA] |
The military junta behind last year's coup and the civilian government it appointed have promised that the election will bring a full return to democracy in Thailand, more than a year after the bloodless coup that removed Thaksin from power.
They have insisted the vote will be free and fair, but analysts have expressed doubts over the pledge as about a third of the country remains under martial law.
In addition Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party, which stormed the polls in 2001 and 2005, has been dissolved.
The vote will also be Thailand's first under a new constitution which was approved in a referendum in August.
Sagging economy
Pro-democracy activists have criticised the charter saying the new rules set Thailand up for a weak coalition government while returning real authority to the traditional power centres of the military, the bureaucracy and the royal palace.
Whoever eventually forms the new government will face several challenges, not least of which is a sagging economy with confidence dented since the coup.
They will also have to deal with the ongoing conflict in the country's south, and lingering divisions over coup itself.
Thaksin, the former prime minister and now living in exile, was accused of massive corruption and abuse of power.