The Election Commission (EC) has proposed March 10 as the new election date if the poll is delayed from Feb 24, a source at the poll-organising agency said.
But the government prefers March 24 as a suitable date, reasoning that post-election activities that take place after March 24 will not clash with His Majesty the King's coronation, set for May 4-6, and other relevant events.
An EC source said that the commission has proposed March 10 to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
March 10 is still within the 150-day deadline for the election to be held, the source said. Under the constitution, the election must be held within 150 days of the organic law governing the election of MPs taking effect, which took place on Dec 11 of last year.
The source also said that the EC has asked for 45 days to prepare for the election.
If the cabinet agrees to the proposal, it should issue a royal decree calling the election by Jan 25, the source said.
According to the time frame announced at a meeting between the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and political parties on Dec 7 of last year, the election was scheduled to be held on Feb 24.
But Mr Wissanu said the poll will likely be delayed to avoid clashing with the coronation ceremony.
Mr Wissanu pointed out yesterday that if the election is to take place on Feb 24 as originally planned, the poll results must be announced within 60 days or on April 24. This will clash with preliminary preparations for the coronation which is expected to begin after Songkran, or April 15. Some activities related to the coronation will also be held between April 21 and 25.
The government and the EC have looked at other possible dates for the election, which include March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.
But if the poll is rescheduled for other dates such as March 3, the poll results will be announced by May 3 based on the 60-day time frame for announcing results, but this is too close to coronation day on May 4, Mr Wissanu said.
If the poll takes place on March 10 or 17, the poll results will be announced on May 10 or May 17 respectively, after the coronation, but this will still overlap with some activities to celebrate the coronation, he said.
However, Mr Wissanu insisted that it is up to the EC to choose the most suitable poll date, though he said that if the election takes place on March 24 or March 31, all post-election activities will proceed smoothly because post-coronation activities would be over by then.
The EC said yesterday it will set the election date only after the government formally issues the royal decree.
EC president Ittiporn Boonpracong issued a statement yesterday after Mr Wissanu said the polling date would be changed.
"We acknowledge the details on the [coronation] ceremony given by the deputy prime minister on Jan 3 and our office is ready to hold the election," the statement said.