Thailand to hold election in November 2018, prime minister says
The junta has repeatedly delayed elections, citing concerns such as changes to the constitution and security issues
Thailand will hold a general election in November 2018, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Tuesday, the most precise date he has given yet for the vote since taking power in a 2014 military coup.
Prayuth had promised immediately after his May 2014 coup to return power to civilians within 18 months.
That date has repeatedly slipped, and even after the vote analysts say there will be limits on democracy under the junta’s new charter.
“In November 2018 there will be an election. Is it clear?” the often gruff Prayuth told reporters, adding that he would announce the exact date next June.
He said he would also “consider the timing for relaxing conditions on political parties at the appropriate time”.
All politics and protests have been banned under Prayuth’s regime, the most autocratic Thailand has seen for a generation.
Watch: Thai PM meets Trump at the White House
