Prayut unclear on election time frame
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday did not make it clear whether an election would be held this year as said in the junta’s road map, saying only that the road map has its time frame.
He said if the draft constitution and draft organic laws somehow fail to take effect in accordance with the time frame of the road map, it will simply mean that all cannot be done as stated in the road map.
“But [is it appropriate] to campaign an election now? Those who want to oust me or those who are pushing for a sooner election should tell what they will do to reform the country or solve the country’s problems,” the premier said after a Cabinet meeting.
“I promise to return happiness to the Thai people but whether [the election will be held] sooner or later will depend on the process. Road map is road map. Don’t listen to what anyone else says,” the premier said.
Earlier this week, members of the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) had suggested it would need at least 15 months to finalize new election laws, thereby pushing the planned polls back to mid-2018.
