Election officials predict a large turnout Sunday as Thailand's 44 million eligible voters deliver what is being seen as a judgment on the policies of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

At one final campaign rally, Mr. Thaksin urged the crowd to give him a strong mandate so that his Thai Rak Thai party can govern without coalition partners.

Opinion polls give Mr. Thaksin a commanding lead and the opposition is appealing for at least two hundred of the five hundred seats in the national assembly. They say this will allow them to maintain checks and balances in government.

Official results are expected within 30 days but a preliminary tally has been promised by Monday.