Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has insisted the roadmap to the next election remains unchanged and nothing can delay it.
He said Thursday no factors could force a delay the government's political roadmap, though he seemed less than committed in some of his remarks to reporters.
"If it is necessary to hold an election, so be it. But if an election cannot be held, why organise it if it will cause damage? But the government has never thought of changing the roadmap anyway," he said.
- Earlier report: Wissanu says new government may be delayed
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said a general election is on course to take place next year but unforeseen factors could delay the political roadmap.
He said the regime's roadmap for a return to democracy was created tentatively based on possible scenarios, so it could be affected by factors such as new organic laws being drafted by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC).
Under the roadmap, a general election will take place within 150 days after all four organic laws necessary for holding a general election are completed.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday he believes the political roadmap to the election still holds. When the new charter is enacted, the time frame for the election will be all the more certain, Mr Abhisit said. "There is nothing to worry too much about," he said.
Mr Abhisit also said he wanted the regime to allow parties to resume their activities so they can tend to the problems of the people.
CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan said the wording of the first draft of the organic law on political parties is being fine-tuned and is expected to be made public in the next few days to gather feedback.
Mr Meechai also said the CDC wanted to hear what parties had to say about a proposed clause in the draft law which requires parties to improve their membership system.
A proposal regarding the period for recruiting membership under the draft law on political parties says a party must seek 20,000 members over four years.
