Political parties say they are willing to comply with the Election Commission's (EC) new electioneering regulations which took effect yesterday, though they have called for some rules to be clarified further.
Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit said the party is willing to comply, though the EC should provide further clarification on some of the regulations.
He said he instructed party members to study the new rules carefully and act accordingly.
''The Democrat Party wants to do everything in line with the law and regulations,'' Mr Jurin said.
Democrat Party spokesman Ramet Rattanachaweng said party secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on has stressed the need for party members to observe the rules strictly when they visit their constituents.
The rules do not pose any obstacle to their visits, Mr Ramet said, though candidates will be warned not to exceed the limits on campaigning under the law, now the election season has begun.
It is these limits in some instances which parties want clarified to avoid falling foul of the rules.
Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul said the party has informed its members of the do's and don'ts via its Line group application.
In particular, they have been warned not to offer gifts or promises to give anything to constituents, he said.
Suranand Vejjajiva, a deputy leader of the Sang Anakhot Thai (Building Thailand's Future) Party, called on the EC to ensure fairness to all parties.
Campaign posters featuring pictures of party chairman Somkid Jatusripitak which do not conform to the size stipulated by the rules were taken down on Friday, Mr Suranand added.
Unlike past elections when a period of 30 to 40 days was allotted for campaigning, in the upcoming polls, the new election law stipulates a 180-day pre-election period during which such regulations apply, according to the EC.
Starting yesterday, the pre-election period will run until the House of Representatives' four-year term expires on March 23 next year.
Announced by the EC last Thursday, the regulations serve as a guideline for parties and would-be candidates as to what they can and cannot do between now and the day of the election, tentatively planned for May 7.
All expenses incurred by activities deemed as electioneering will be counted while the maximum electioneering budget has yet to be decided, according to the EC.
As an example, before yesterday, parties were allowed to offer flood relief of up to 300,000 baht before the sum was considered to be campaign spending.
Now, during the 180-day period, parties are not allowed to offer any such flood relief, or they will face legal action for violating the new law.