Thailand: Prayut promises poll date ‘coming soon’

• Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that a royal decree calling the election will soon be published in the Royal Gazette, telling the press on 21 Jan 19, “[The Royal Decree] will be out soon. Calm down. It’ll be out very soon.”
• A highly placed source in the Election Commission (EC) said on 21 Jan 19 the commission was under immense pressure to set an election date, despite being unable to do so without a royal decree. The most viable options for holding the ballot are now either 10 Mar 19 or 24 Mar 19.
• Meanwhile, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will keep a close watch on political activities to prevent any violence, said their deputy spokeswoman, Col Sirichan Ngathong.
• According to Col Sirichan, the army chief believes the royal decree announcing the polls will be published soon as required by the constitution and she added that Gen Apirat, the army commander, in his capacity as NCPO secretary-general, has instructed security officers to make sure both parties and their members toe the line.

External Link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1615258/prayut-promises-poll-date-coming-soon