Thailand opposition wins election

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva conceded defeat in a national election today after exit polls showed the opposition Puea Thai Party winning a majority of parliament's 500 seats. Puea Thai's candidate for prime minister is Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed in a coup in 2006.

Since that time, Thailand has seen clashes between Shinawatra’s red-shirt supporters and the yellow-shirts who support the present government. However, election violence did not materialize.

“It went by quite peacefully,” said Dr. Apichart Intravisit of Assumption University in Bangkok. “In fact the observers from both at home and abroad, they really commended our election committee.” He told Vatican Radio both sides say they will respect the result.

“It shows a good sign that we try to respect the people’s voice. It is a principle we all echo,” he said.

Listen to the full interview by Charles Collins with Dr. Apichart Intravisit: