The scion of Thailand’s most famous political dynasty, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is heading into general elections on Sunday vowing to wrest the south-east Asian country back from almost a decade of military rule.

“We’re going to help each other to take back our democracy, to take back our lives,” Shinawatra, 36, told a Bangkok stadium decorated with her party’s signature red colour last month.

Shinawatra is seeking a sweeping victory that would make it all but impossible for her to be denied victory under the country’s complex election rules. Over the past decade, south-east Asia’s second-biggest economy has been beset by military takeovers and violent crackdowns. Given the Thai military’s influence in neighbouring countries, the outcome of Sunday’s poll will also have ramifications across the region.