Thai EC plans to soon submit draft Royal Decree on next election date t

BANGKOK, May 2 (TNA) - The Election Commission of Thailand (EC) plans to submit a draft Royal Decree on the next general election date to the caretaker government by May 6. EC Chairman Supachai Somcharoen told journalists of the plan on Friday, noting that the Royal Decree will be then forwarded by the caretaker government to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej for a royal endorsement. However, Somchai acknowledged that the submission of the draft Royal Decree to the caretaker government could be delayed. Caretaker Labour Minister retired Police Captain Chalerm Yubumrung, in his capacity as chief of the caretaker government-run Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), assessed that Thailand's next general election should be held on July 20 as agreed now between the EC and the caretaker government. In response to Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s recent remarks that he would not contest the upcoming general election, nor accept any political position if his initiative to end Thailand’s political impasse was accepted by all concerned parties, the CAPO chief said it is Abhisit's personal right to decide on his political future, but it would be a pity if the incumbent Democrat Party leader decided to stay away from politics because there would be less action at the Thai Parliament. According to analysts, an escalated political tension in Thailand is, nonetheless, expected later this month, as both pro and anti-government protesters have announced to hold their fresh mass rallies on the same day, May 14, with the red-clad pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) predicting about one million UDD demonstrators nationwide to join its gathering. Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), meanwhile, led his supporters in marching on Bangkok streets before launching what he called a “final battle” to topple the caretaker government, starting from May 14, inviting PDRC supporters to wear yellow shirts on May 5. PDRC demonstrators have continued their rallies in Bangkok since last October 31, demanding for a national reform before the next general election and the ouster of the caretaker government. (TNA)