The Bhumjaithai party of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has taken a commanding lead in Thailand’s general election

Leaders of Thailand's major political parties voted Sunday in the general election, which local polls consistently project that no single party will gain a majority, necessitating the formation of a coalition government.

Vote counting was underway in Thailand's early general election on Sunday, seen as a three-way race among competing visions of progressive, populist and old-fashioned patronage politics.

Millions across Thailand are heading to the polls today to elect a new parliament. But all eyes are on what happens after the election as powerful unelected bodies may ultimately decide who actually runs the country.