Thai parties cleared to ‘organise’ but still no gatherings allowed
A new election law expected to be passed in December will permit more than five people to gather
Thailand’s leader on Friday relaxed the ban on political activities, paving the way for the general election tentatively set for next February.
The move was announced by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led a military coup in May 2014 and now heads the National Council for Peace and Order, as the government is formally known.
“Political parties will be allowed to conduct important activities ahead of the election,” the military government said in a statement published in the Royal Gazette.
Parties can hold limited activities, such as convening meetings to elect their leaders, recruiting new members, amending party regulations and starting the process of choosing candidates. But actual election campaigning is not allowed yet.
A ban on gatherings or more than five people is still in place.
“Parties can communicate with their members electronically, but not appear to be campaigning,” it said, while warning that authorities could block such communication “if it is illegal or a breach public peace”.