In a statement last week, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha insisted an election would be held in Thailand in July 2017. The former army general was as forthright as ever when speaking to reporters. But as is often the case in the Machiavellian world of Thai politics, the devil is in the detail.
Before Thailand goes to the polls a new constitution has to be agreed. There is a strong possibility that a national referendum will reject the draft constitution. In response to this scenario Prayuth told reporters, “No matter whether the draft constitution passes the referendum or not, the government will hold the election in 2017 according to our roadmap.” He went on to say, “I promise that in July 2017 there will definitely be an election.”
Since the army seized power in May 2014, the timeframe for fresh elections has changed a number of times. Whether this latest promise will come to fruition is anybody’s guess.
