FM:Foreign diplomats are welcome to observe Thailand's new general election

BANGKOK, November 9 (TNA) - Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai says that Thai parties and foreign diplomats in the Kingdom are welcome to observe the country's new general election, scheduled for early next year. Don told journalists in Bangkok on Friday that it is legitimate for foreign embassies or consulates in Thailand to send their diplomatic personnel to observe the country's new general election if their countries are interested in the Kingdom's new national poll. Don mentioned, however, that Thai parties are considered the most appreciated observers for the Kingdom's new general election as they are viewed to bring the maximum benefit for their own motherland. Besides, the new Constitution 2017 promotes and supports Thai nationals' full participation in the country's electoral processes, including the prior, the election period and in the wake of any election or referendum. "As an election is an internal affair for a country, individual Thai nationals, or Thai civil societies or Thai independent bodies should play their observers' role in the country's upcoming general election, which will also be most beneficial to the national political development with no negative impacts for the nation", the Thai foreign minister suggested. The Thai foreign minister noted that successful electoral processes, if taking place in any country independently, normally brings about prestige to the nation internationally as it shows peace and order domestically, citing the successful referendum in Thailand in 2015, in which Thai people turned out to vote whether they would approve the country's newly-written Constitution, as a good example. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has announced that it is considering a proposal of the European Union (EU) on sending a team of about 200 officials to observe the country's new general election, scheduled for February 2019, with a decision expected within two weeks. (TNA)