Thailand elections 'could be delayed until 2016'

[Chittychangchang]

Thailand's finance minister has told the BBC that elections to bring an end to military rule might not take place until 2016, a year later than planned.

Sommai Phasee said he had discussed the date with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the coup which overthrew the elected government in May.

Gen Prayuth has previously hinted that the 2015 date could move.

The Thai military maintains the coup was needed to end months of unrest and political deadlock.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon also confirmed the 2016 date to reporters.

"If the constitution is ready, the election will be held by that time," he said in remarks quoted by AFP news agency, when asked for confirmation.

He said there were still "elements opposed to the National Council for Peace and Order", the name of the junta, Reuters reports.

Thailand remains under martial law, and last week Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said it would remain in place "indefinitely".

The coup was welcomed by many Thais, but there is growing discontent in Thailand and internationally with the military's continued hold on power.

'Depends on roadmap'
Speaking to the BBC's chief business correspondent Linda Yueh, Mr Phasee said that from his conversations with Gen Prayuth "I think it may take, maybe, a year and a half" for elections to be held.

Thai PM General Prayuth Chan-Ocha at Asean in Myanmar (13 Nov 2014)
Prime Minister Prayuth has said elections depend on political reforms being passed
He said both he and the prime minister wanted to see an end to martial law, but that it was still needed now "as his tool to deal with security".

Earlier this month, Gen Prayuth said a date for elections depended on the completion of a new constitution and a roadmap to political reforms.

"Everything depends on the roadmap, so we must see first if the roadmap can be completed. Elections take time to organise," he added.

Thailand's economy has been stagnant this year. After contracting at the start of the year, the economy has barely grown. Mr Phasee expects GDP growth to be just 1-1.2% this year.

When I asked him when the economy could return to trend growth rates, he pointed to the second quarter of next year when he said that GDP could expand by 4-5%.

The Thai military government will spend to boost the economy, he says, and increase subsidies to farmers as one of a number of short-term stimulus measures.



BBC News - Thailand elections 'could be delayed until 2016'

[Kurgen]