Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra went to the polls on Sunday in a snap general election amid an opposition boycott, which has left a ruling party virtually unchallenged in the race for 500 lower house seats.

Thaksin leading his three children arrived at the Pimolvit School on Soi Charansanitwong 69 in Bangkok at 9:50 a.m. (0250 GMT) and cast vote at 10 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Sunday.

After vote, Thaksin told journalists that the election is very important to the country's future. He called for the people, especially the youth, to cast their votes to preserve the democracy of Thailand.

"Let's people decide ... It's time to bring law and order," Thaksin answered when asked about his political role in the future.

Thaksin called the snap election in late February, three years ahead of schedule, in an attempt to defuse a deepening political crisis amid major street protests by his opponents.

More than 80,000 polling stations throughout the country opened at 8 a.m. (0100 GMT) and will close at 3:00 p.m. (0800 GMT). About 45 million out of a population of 63.7 million are eligible to vote.

In last year's general election, the Thai Rak Thai party founded by Thaksin won 377 of the 500 seats.

The three main opposition parties in Parliament, Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon, however, are boycotting the election, refusing to field candidates and urging people to cast a vote of abstention.

Source: Xinhua