Thai junta vows 2017 polls even if statute rejected

Thailand’s junta chief on Tuesday vowed to hold a general election in the summer of 2017 even if a new Constitution penned by regime appointees is rejected in a public referendum.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-O-Cha seized power in a May 2014 coup, toppling a democratically elected government after months of street protests by demonstrators who lobbied for a coup.

He justified the takeover as a necessary evil to end Thailand’s decade-long political conflict.

The former Army Chief says a new Constitution is the only way to dilute the power of elected politicians and curtail corruption from civilian administrations.

According to the junta’s previously trumpeted “roadmap to democracy”, elections would only be held once the new Constitution was approved by a public referendum.

Analysts said the pledge appeared to be a delaying tactic by the military to hang onto power.

But on Tuesday General Prayut appeared to reverse his position.

“Even if the charter does not pass a referendum I insist that there will be an election,” he said.