Country to hold elections next year, but military rule may persist

Thailand is set to hold general elections in 2017, according to the military government’s roadmap to democracy, but a new government may not be in power in 2017, the government said on Thursday.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Deputy Prime Minister Visanu Krue-ngam’s remark on Wednesday has, however, vaguely pointed to factors that could delay the junta’s roadmap to democracy.

The ministers reassured the public that general elections would certainly take place in 2017.

“There has been no decision to postpone the general elections, the government has never made changes to the roadmap,’’ Prawit noted.

Visanu said that there might be unforeseen variables to the junta’s roadmap without elaborating further.

He added that even if general elections could take place in 2017, it would take two months for a new government to take office, which might not be within 2017.

“Since 2017’s general elections will be the first time the country will cast votes in a single ballot, both for the party and the candidate, those winning majority votes may not win the election,’’ Visanu added.

He, however, cited the example of the U.S. elections.

In August, Thais voted in a referendum in favour of the military-drafted constitution that could put the country under prolonged military rule, as the junta-appointed Senate would be able to vote for the new prime minister.

Report says Thailand has been under military rule since the May 2014 coup.