EC rejects Communist Party registration

BANGKOK, March 21 (TNA) -- The political party registrar rejects the registration of the Communist Party of Thailand for violating the political party law and the constitutional monarchy. Pol Col Jarungwit Phumma, acting secretary-general of the Election Commission (EC) in his capacity as the political party registrar, said Section 18 of the Political Party Act stipulated that the name, abbreviation, logo and picture of a political party must not contradict the constitutional monarchy or represent a change to the type of national government. The people who sought the registration could rename their party and re-apply for the registration, he said. “Whether a political party will be registered depends on not only its name, abbreviation and logo but also its ideal and policies … If any element threatens order and morality, it may not be registered,” Pol Col Jarungwit said. People have sought the registration of 65 political parties and the registrar has not confirmed their registration pending the examination of their founders’ qualifications. However, they could seek permission from the National Council for Peace and Order to organise the meetings of their members. Sawaeng Boonmee, deputy secretary-general to the EC, said ten political parties sought the permission and the NCPO has granted it to the New Alternative Party that would hold its meeting on March 24. (TNA)