FOREIGN MINISTER Don Pramudwinai yesterday opposed the idea of having foreign organisations observe the next general election, maintaining that the country is capable of holding a free and fair national vote.

AS THE COUNTRY counts down towards the next general election, speakers at a panel discussion yesterday widely held the opinion that a free and fair national vote without the influence of the ruling junta seems unlikely.

The Election Commission (EC) will need an additional budget of Bt600 million to hold the next general election, in addition to the Bt4 billion it was already allocated, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.

A SHORTLIST of senatorial candidates will be made available for selection by the ruling junta about 15 days before the next general election, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday.

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha recently admitted to his “interest in politics”, which observers interpret as opting to become a political party’s prime ministerial candidate in the next general election.

Key government leaders maintained on Wednesday that the next general election would be held on February 24, dismissing speculation of possible postponement until late April.

General Prayut Chan-o-cha is not required by law to step down as leader of the ruling junta if he is interested in entering politics ahead of the next general election, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha warned on Friday against vote-buying, saying that the practice would only lead to more corruption in government.

Parties will be permitted to campaign for the next general election from December, after the junta lifts restrictions on political activities, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 24 will be earliest date when the next general election can be held and full resumption of political activities will be allowed no earlier than 150 days before the vote, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday after meeting with the new Election Commission (EC) members.

Chalerm Yoobamrung, a key figure in the Pheu Thai Party, expressed confidence on Monday that the previously ruling party would win the next general election.

Elections will be held on February 24 at the earliest and by May 5 at the latest, Election Commission (EC) chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong said on Sunday.

POLITICIANS have warned junta-appointed legislators to think twice about amending the Election Commission (EC) law, as doing so could further delay the next general election.

Academic turned politician Anek Laothamatas is tipped to lead the right-leaning Action Coalition Party (ACT) into the next general election, according to sources.

Amid alleged attempts to woo former MPs into a pro-Prayut party’s fold, government figures on Monday rejected suspicion that the Cabinet retreat in the Northeast early next week was part of the bid to build up a political alliance ahead of the next general election.