Meechai unravels Prayut's poll quote

Meechai unravels Prayut's poll quote

Says premier only speculating on delay

Charter writer Meechai Ruchupan on Friday defended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's latest remark about the political roadmap and tentative election timeline potentially being delayed until 2019, saying it was merely speculation.

Gen Prayut was accused by critics of triggering confusion when he told a group of Thais during his visit to the United States that he would announce an election date next year after a number of prerequisite organic laws come into effect, and that the organic laws needed for a general election would likely not be enacted until November 2018.

According to the 2017 constitution, the national poll must be held within 150 days, or five months, of the organic laws being passed. Gen Prayut's remark implied the election would take place in 2019, later than previously indicated.

Mr Meechai, chair of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), which is also responsible for drafting all 10 organic laws, said everything would proceed as specified in the charter.

He added that the time frame for the election was not his direct concern because the CDC is not responsible for organising such matters.

Gen Prayut's "new" time frame sparked uproar from the Pheu Thai Party.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier urged the premier to stick to the roadmap to the election.

Samart Kaewmeechai, a former Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai, said the organic laws should be completed and the general election held next year as set out in the charter.

He said any delay until 2019 would be a deliberate act by the regime.

The Pheu Thai politician also warned that investor confidence would be further eroded by Gen Prayut's remark.

"Without elections, the country will be in trouble. Trade and investment will be hurt. And this news will make things slower," he said.

Mr Samart welcomed Gen Prayut's remark about setting up a political party, saying he did not mind him staying in power as long as it was through democratic means.

On his US trip Gen Prayut was quoted as telling the group of Thais who reside there that a political party will need to be formed before he throws his hat in the ring.

Anusorn Iamsa-ard, acting Pheu Thai deputy spokesman, urged the public to remain sceptical about when the election would be held, saying it could be further delayed.

He said the regime keeps changing its poll timeline, citing remarks Gen Prayut made to ex-UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon in September 2015 that Thailand would return to democracy this year.

During his US trip, Gen Prayut told US President Donald Trump he would announce an election date next year.

"Even those who want to believe him find it hard to know which parts ring true," Mr Anusorn said. He also poured scorn on Gen Prayut's hypothetical remark about setting up a new political party and called on the premier to get his priorities straight and set a firm election date.

Citing findings from opinion polls, he said more than 70% of the public want a general election.

Pheu Thai also slammed the government's distribution of state-sponsored welfare cards to the poor, saying the scheme was deemed to benefit chain stores.

Mr Samart said the cards, which come loaded with 300 baht of credit, can be used at stores with card readers only, so small-time vendors were unlikely to benefit.

"If the regime plans to stay in power for an extended period, I think it will come crashing down," he said.

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