After at least five delays to Thailand’s first election since 2011, the wait is almost over.
This morning, the royal degree has finally been issued, giving the Election Commision five days to officially set Thailand’s upcoming polling date.
The decree, signed by 66-year-old King Maha Vajiralongkorn, was published by the Royal Thai Government Gazette around 10:30am today.
This is the closest Thailand’s been to an election in almost five years, since the junta seized power in a coup back in 2014.
For the majority of last year, the military government had said that the election would take place on Feb 24. It wasn’t until last Wednesday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gave a clear indication that this date would be pushed back.
“Our country is going towards full democracy. There will be an election no matter what. Any delay that is made will have a reason… but it will still be by May 9,” the junta leader had said last week — crediting the delay to the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, which is scheduled for May 4-6.
May 9 is the deadline prescribed by the Constitution, requiring the poll to be held within 150 days after new electoral laws came into effect on Dec 10 of last year.
Last Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Wissanu Krea-ngam declared that March 24 appeared to be the “most suitable” new date for Thailand’s 2019 election.
Though this is still unconfirmed, it appears the guessing game over the election date will finally be over by the beginning of next week.
