Thailand’s junta to lift political party ban for 2018 elections
The junta is drawing up a series of yet to be published laws that will define who can form a political party
Thailand’s junta chief on Wednesday said he plans to lift the ban on political party gatherings before next year’s elections, although he declined to put a date on polls or state when the restrictions will be lifted.
The military seized power in 2014 ushering in Thailand’s most autocratic government in a generation.
Former army chief turned Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the coup was necessary to end a decade of political instability and root out corruption.
He has banned political parties from meeting, cracked down on public dissent and granted himself the ability to pass any law in the name of national security.
The cornerstone of the military’s reform agenda has been a new constitution which was given royal assent earlier this month, triggering a countdown towards elections.
“The election process will begin next year,” Prayuth told reporters, saying first the country must hold a cremation for late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, an event likely to take place in late October.