If election is dragged on, Thailand may face EU, US boycott

BANGKOK, May 22 (TNA) - The United States and the European Union (EU) might boycott Thailand if the country's next general election was delayed. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, caretaker deputy prime minister and foreign minister before Constitutional Court's recent ruling to end his status for involving in the transfer of Thawil Pliensi, seceretary-general of the National Security Council, in 2011, told journalists on Thursday that, after the imposition of the martial law on May 20, the EU issued a letter expressing its concern over Thailand, indicating if the next general election in the country was delayed or there was a coup, the EU and the United States would certainly boycott Thailand. Surapong said he has, therefore, called on Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, in his capacity as Director of the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC), to prompt the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) to organize a fresh general election, or a referendum to ask the majority of the Thai people whether they want the general election before a national reform or vice versa so that they will be the decision makers. Surapong suggested that a fresh general election can happen during the imposition of the martial law, cautioning that a coup, as speculated by some insiders, would cause the Thai economy to step backwards for ten years because it would be unacceptable to the international community. Meanwhile, EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen praised General Prayuth for exercising the martial law and mediating political conflicts, expressing his view that the movement was the beginning of peace restoration in the country. Supachai insisted that the EC is ready to cooperate with politicians' decisions on whether a fresh general election or a referendum will be first organized. (TNA)