Thailand sets March 24 as date of first election since Shinawatra coup
- Long-delayed poll will be held on March 24, says Election Commission
- Ruling military junta asks Thais to maintain ‘orderliness, civility, and unity’
- Election was recently set back to avoid clashing with coronation ceremony for King Vajiralongkorn
The Election Commission’s announcement on Wednesday afternoon came hours after Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn issued a royal decree endorsing the long-delayed poll. The date was announced on live television by the Election Commission chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong.
The date will come as no surprise to political observers, with weeks of speculation suggesting it was the junta’s preferred date.
Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha’s administration had previously promised to hold the elections on February 24. But that plan had to be pushed back after the national palace announced King Vajiralongkorn was to hold his coronation ceremony from May 4 to 6.
The junta said it was untenable for elections to be held in February as it would mean the poll result would be finalised sometime during the coronation period – marring the once-in-a-generation event.
There was no immediate reaction from the junta after the election commission’s announcement but following the royal decree it said the development “should end further debate on the holding and timing of general elections”.
