A pro-democracy movement is surging in Thailand as voters head to the polls, but democracy advocates worry it may not be enough to shift power from the conservative military establishment that’s gripped the country for nearly a decade.

Bangkok

Pro-democracy surges as Thailand heads to the polls

The crowd surges. The cheers are irrepressible for the Phutthai party. This fervor is centered around Phaethongtharn Shinawat running to become Thailand's next prime minister. Shinawat is heir to a political dynasty created by her father a popular exiled former leader. I love her father Thaksin, this man says. And she's a good leader. She'll take Thailand to a better place. They're waging a battle to bring democracy back to a country that's been in the grips of its conservative military establishment for a decade. The Phutthai party is leading in the polls followed closely by another opposition party promising even more dramatic change. But that may not matter in a country where the system is skewed in favor of pro-military candidates. Thailand's 250 senators appointed by the military can vote on who will be the next prime minister regardless of what voters say. That steep challenge and effective veto is shrugged off by the pro-democracy parties campaigning hard for change. The progressive move forward is surging. A party that's even questioning what's long been taboo here the sweeping power of Thailand's monarchy. And it's resonating with the young. It's a new party and it's like bringing our hope back. Lately the polls seem positive but I'm not sure because as a Thai people we have been betrayed before. And the incumbent former military junta head Prayuth Chan-o-cha still has support with the older generation. I like this party. I love the good party. Prayuth's party is loyal. They love the king, the nation says the 77-year-old. They are very good. Still with a pro-democratic vote crystallizing many see this election as far from straightforward. The democratic process in Thailand has always been crooked. The real question this expert says is what will happen after Sunday's vote. How will the military establishment react? Short of a coup itself we've seen party dissolutions. So they might go there again. Then we would have a very tense environment leading to public confrontation and potentially a clash. That uncertainty leading to an unequivocal message from the parties. Every vote counts. Salimah Shivji, CBC News, Bangkok.

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