Thai politicians across rivalling parties
have called on the ruling military junta to
live up to its promise of holding general
elections in 2017.
This followed indications from lawmakers that
the elections could be postponed until mid-2018.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Surapong
Tovichakchaikul of the Pheu Thai party on
Tuesday described Prime Minister Prayut Chan-
ocha’s promise to hold general elections by 2017
as a “social contract” that the government
could not retract.
Citing a bill that was passed by the parliament
swiftly a week ago, Deputy Leader of the
Democrat party Nipit Intarasombat questioned
the lawmakers’ claim that they would need no
less than 15 months to finalise election laws.
He said he suspected that the junta was trying
to delay giving up power.
Somjet Boontanom , member of the junta-
appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) ,
on Sunday suggested the assembly would need
no less than 15 months to finalise the laws
according to the ruling military government’s
roadmap to democracy.
In August 2016, as the majority of Thais voted in
a referendum in favour of the military-drafted
constitution, Chan-ocha promised to hold
general elections in 2017.
Piyapong Klinpan , the junta’s Spokesperson,
reassured the public that the ruling military
government would continue to stick to its
roadmap to democracy, but did not confirm to
reporters whether elections would still be held in
2017 as promised.
Report said Thailand had been under military
rule since the May 2014 coup.
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