Thai PM claims election victory, but vote drops

BANGKOK, Apr 3 (Reuters) Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed victory in Thailand's snap election today, saying his party had won more than 50 per cent of votes cast.

However, his party's majority in the poll -- which was boycotted by the three main opposition parties -- dropped to 16 million votes from 19 million in a February 2005 election, Thaksin said on television.

His Thai Rak Thai party also won 349 seats, down from 377 a year ago, he said on a political talk show.

REUTERS OM BS1937