Election Commissioner Prinya Nakchudtree presides over a meeting with representatives of 22 political parties. They moved the date of the new election forward a week to October 15.

Eight out of 22 political parties at the EC meeting wanted October 15 as the election date, with August 17 as the day the Royal Decree calling the election takes effect, and August 30-September 1 for registering party-list candidates and September 2-6 for registering constituency candidates.

The Thai Rak Thai, Pracharaj and Khon Khoplodnee parties abstained from voting, while the three main opposition parties again boycotted the meeting - the second the EC has called to set a date for the new poll.

EC commissioner Prinya Nakchudtree said he would present the results of the meeting today for consideration to the Cabinet.

The election date was brought forward from October 22 because the original date might have inconvenienced Muslims who fast during Ramadan.

Prospective contestants still have time to switch parties without violating a Constitution rule requiring candidates to belong to a party at least 90 days before they stand for election.

Prinya said if the government agreed to issue a Royal Decree on August 17, the EC would set the MP candidacy registration period soon so politicians can move to any party they want.

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua denied claims he practised double standards and had pressured the Supreme Court by asking judges to nominate new EC candidates. He ordered the Senate Secretary-General's Office to issue a statement in his defence, which read that Suchon made his decision in line with the Constitution and based his decisions on the current circumstances.