German gov’t invites nine Thai officials to observe election

BANGKOK, February 22 (TNA) - With the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) suggesting Thailand’s next general election is based on a mixed-member proportional system (MMP), nine high-ranking Thai officers has been invited to observe an election in Germany between March 15 – 20, Thai parliament sources said. The German government made the invitation after learning that Thailand is interested in using the MMP systems that was also being used in Germany as model for the kingdom’s general election, expected to be held in 2016. The German government would pay for all the expenses for the nine senior officers including CDC chairman Borwornsak Uwanno, CDC spokesman General Lertrat Ratanavanich, chairman of Election Commission (EC) Supachai Somcharoen and EC responsible for investigation Boonsong Noisophon. Another two would be invited from the National Reform Council (NRC), including deputy chairwoman Tassana Boontong and Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, political reform committee chairman. (TNA)