The Government of Thailand said on December 21 that it will lift the political ban after the bill governing election of members of parliament is promulgated, possibly in June 2018.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on December 19 that he would use Article 44 of the Constitution to allow political parties to take steps to prepare for the 2018 general election. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – The Governmentof Thailand said on December 21 that it will lift the political ban after thebill governing election of members of parliament is promulgated, possibly inJune 2018.
The announcement came after Thai politiciansasked the government for more details after Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ochasaid on December 19 that he would use Article 44 of the Constitution to allowpolitical parties to take steps to prepare for the 2018 general election.However, he did not mention completely lifting the ban on political activities.
Government spokesperson Lieutenant GeneralSansern Kaewkamnerd said the ban would be eased for the establishment of newparties and for old parties to register their members.
According to Sansern, this means that forsecurity purposes, all 69 parties in Thailand are not permitted to holdgatherings until June next year and will have to review their membership lists.
The country’s political party law providesthat a party must have at least 500 members and 1 million THB, or 30,000 USD,in funding to run in the 2018 polll.-VNA
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan on December 7 reiterated that the junta will maintain its three-year-old ban on political activities.
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Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on December 19 that he would use Article 44 of the Constitution to allow political parties to take steps to prepare for the 2018 general election. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
