Thai parties in coalition talks

Mr Samak said that Mr Thaksin had congratulated him

Rival Thai political parties have begun what could be protracted negotiations to form a coalition government.

The People Power Party (PPP), allied to ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, has won most seats but lacks an absolute majority.

Other parties may be under pressure from the military not to join a PPP government, or they may be holding out to negotiate better cabinet positions. Analysts say the PPP's success shows a public rejection of the 2006 military coup which ousted Mr Thaksin.

Full official results from Sunday's poll are due later on Monday, but unofficial figures show the PPP has won 228 seats in the 480-seat house.

Vote-rigging probe

The PPP celebrated its success on Sunday night, with leader Samak Sundaravej saying: "I will be the next prime minister for sure."

He added that Mr Thaksin had congratulated him in a telephone call from Hong Kong.

But the party is 13 seats short of the 241 needed for an outright win, voting figures suggest. An official investigation is under way into allegations of vote-rigging, which could lead to the PPP losing more seats.

Mr Samak is now attempting to woo potential coalition partners.

There is still plenty of room for mischief. Other groups, including the military, must abide by the election decision Bangkok Post editorial Key election figures Thailand's turbulent year

"I invite all the parties to join our government," he said.

The PPP's main rival, the Democrat Party, looks set to win 166 seats.

The Democrats' leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, said his party was ready to serve as the opposition.

But he also said he was ready to form a coalition if the PPP failed to do so.

If all the smaller parties join with the Democrats, they could theoretically block the PPP from taking office.

So the decisions made by the next two parties - Chart Thai (Thai Nation) and Peau Pandin (Motherland) - could prove crucial.

They appear set to win 65 seats between them, and have said they will act together and take their time reaching a decision on possible alliances.

Analysts say that these parties are likely to be under pressure not to join the PPP government.

POST-COUP TIMELINE September 2006: Coup overthrows Thaksin Shinawatra October 2006: Retired General Surayud Chulanont is appointed interim leader May 2007: Court bans Mr Thaksin from politics for five years, and dissolves his party August 2007: Voters approve a new constitution December 2007: Election held In pictures: Thailand votes Send us your comments

The current military rulers have made no secret of their dislike of the PPP - which was formed by lawmakers from Mr Thaksin's party, Thai Rak Thai, and has adopted his populist platform.

Mr Samak has even said he is running as Mr Thaksin's proxy.

Under Thailand's constitution the parliament must be decided within 30 days of the election, and it then has a month to elect a prime minister.

The Bangkok Post said in an editorial: "There is still plenty of room for mischief. Other groups, including the military, must abide by the election decision."

Future unclear

While the eventual outcome of the election is uncertain, it is already clear that the Thai electorate is polarised into two camps.

The rural poor back Mr Thaksin's allies as they did Mr Thaksin himself, while Bangkok's middle classes and the bureaucratic elite are hostile to the PPP and are much more likely to back the Democrats.

The coup of September 2006, and the military-appointed government that followed it, have failed to get rid of the spectre of Mr Thaksin from the country's political scene.

The former prime minister is wanted by the courts on corruption charges, and has been banned from politics for five years.

Since the coup he has been living in exile, mostly in the UK, where he bought Manchester City football club.

But if the PPP forms the next government, it has already said he could be back in Thailand by February.