The government is holding firm to its road map for the next general election, and the country's administration is not operating in a vacuum, spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Sunday.
Maj Gen Sansern was speaking after a meeting of the centre to follow-up the country's current situation, chaired by Prime Minister's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana.
The meeting was attended by government agencies that cover the economy, security and foreign affairs and was called to report on their work to facilitate the people's travel to pay homage to the King.
Maj Gen Sansern said a cabinet meeting would be held as usual on Tuesday, Oct 18. The country's administration, trade and investment would continue uninterrupted although Thailand is grief-stricken because of the death of His Majesty.
"The prime minister conveyed a message to the meeting for all government agencies, despite being in grief, not to forget to perform their duties. We can be sad, but we can't afford to lose our love for the country," he said.
Regarding the country's road map to an election, Maj Gen Sansern said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam had assured that there would not be any problem with it. The National Legislative Assembly would also continue to perform its legislative duty.
The spokesman dismissed as groundless rumours in the social media that the government had ordered that all pictures and portraits of the late King be removed from public and private offices and houses.
Some government offices might have taken down His Majesty's picture or portrait in order to allow for redecoration in black and white, but they had been told to quickly reinstall them, he said.
However, flags with the emblem of His Majesty flown in festive events while he was still alive would have to be brought down, he added.
As for clothing to mourn for the late king, Maj Gen Sansern said that since many people might not be able to find all black or all white clothes to wear, probably for economic reason, they could resort to wearing plain and simple clothes which are not flashy or with striking patterns.
They may tag a black or white ribbon to their shirts or dresses, he added.
