The opposition Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties announced a boycott of the election on 27 February.

In Bangkok it won 32 seats to the Democrats' four and Chart Thai's one.

In the Central region it won 79 seats, to 10 for Chart Thai and eight for the Democrats.

Thaksin said he would now form a one-party administration, ending his uneasy coalition with Chart Thai.

The principal "devil" parties were Chart Thai and Chart Patthana.

Chart Thai and Chart Patthana performed well in the Isarn, the country's poor northeastern region.

The appointment of the Cabinet had been delayed by intense rivalry for places between Samakkhi Tham and Chart Thai.

After new elections, Chart Thai was in opposition against the short-lived government of Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

On Thursday, a campaign worker for Chart Thai was arrested with more than $440,000 in small-denomination Thai banknotes, reportedly to be used to purchase votes.

Out of Chart Thai's 43 executives, 19 of them are MPs.