Thailand will head to the polls on May 14 for the country's first general election in four years.

The date was announced on Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dissolved the Lower House.
Thailand has 52 million eligible voters. Campaigning is already underway nationwide.

The latest surveys show Paetongtarn Shinawatra is by far the most popular choice for prime minister.

She is the de facto leader of the biggest opposition Pheu Thai Party. She is also the daughter of fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006.

Prayut trails far behind in the polls. He is running with the United Thai Nation Party, created by his supporters two years ago. He joined them in January after losing popularity within the governing party he led.

The focus of the election is whether a government with such a strong military influence should stay in power, or whether the Thaksin camp will come back. The registration of candidates is set for early April.