BANGKOK, 23 April 2014 – Pheu Thai Party spokesperson Prompong Nopparit said that the discussion between the Election Commission (EC) and representatives from political parties yesterday was a good sign in terms of pushing the election forward, even though a specific election date has not yet been agreed upon. The EC proposed that the election should be held on July 20 at the earliest, while Pheu Thai and the majority of other political parties suggested that it should be held within 40–60 days as initially scheduled.
Nevertheless, it is an important development that a new election date may be finalized by April 28 when the EC is scheduled to have discussions with the caretaker government. Any further delay may halt the economy since the government cannot propose an official budget to stimulate it.
Yesterday, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva did not show up at the meeting with the EC as he claimed to have concerns regarding his own safety. Mr. Prompong commented that the absence may have had a hidden political agenda and it is suspected that PDRC Secretary General Suthep Thaugsuban had ordered Mr. Abhisit not to attend.
Mr. Prompong also added that he believes that the request from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s lawyers to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to call more witnesses to provide testimony regarding the rice-pledging scheme corruption case actually has benefits. The NACC, in his view, should consider the request as it would help them examine every possible aspect about the case so that the defendant has been given due justice.
