Regional News
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Vague When Asked about 2017 Elections
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan speaks during a news conference.
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BANGKOK – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said Thursday that the Military led Government the National Council for Peace and Order could delay holding an election if it would cause damage to the country.
General Prawit said the plan to hold the next general election in 2017 remained intact, but he did not rule out factors that could lead to a delay.
“It is the same as before,” Prawit told the Nation. “If we can hold an election we will.”
“The situation changes by day and by month. If we can hold an election, we will. If an election cannot be held, why should we insist on holding one and then cause damage?†Prawit said.
Prawit, the deputy chief of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said he did not presently see any factors that could result in changes to the “road map for a return to democracyâ€.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said a 2017 election will take place but a new government might not be formed until 2018.
The Puea Thai Party, the party toppled in the 2014 coup, has asked that the junta lift a ban on political activity.
“The country is ready to restore confidence in our foreign partners that Thailand will be under democratic rule again,” Amnuay Klangpa, a former Puea Thai Party lawmaker, told Reuters.
Source: The Nation | Reuters
