Thailand’s long-delayed general election to end military rule will have to be postponed and will likely be held in March, two officials in the Election Commission said yesterday. The Election Commission of Thailand has not announced the postponement but two senior election officials said it was impossible to hold the poll on Feb 24, as announced last month. The military junta that has ruled for nearly five years had earlier suggested a one-month delay because of scheduling clashes with the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn in May. “The Feb 24 election cannot take place because the Election Commission doesn’t have enough time to organise it,” a senior commission official said. “There are now two possible dates, March 10 or March 24.”
Coronation ceremonies for the King have been scheduled for May 4 to 6, and the government said there would be royal rituals taking place 15 days before and after those three dates.
“There will be an election before coronation,” Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told reporters yesterday. “We have to organise both things together but we must first give time to the coronation preparation.”
Full Article: Thailand to delay election yet again to March, say officials, SE Asia News & Top Stories – The Straits Times.