ASEAN leaders at the 33rd ASEAN Summit in Singapore (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai Governmenthas proposed to host the first ASEAN summit in June, instead of the previouslysuggested date in April, when Thailand chairs the group in 2019, due to worriesabout a delay in the country’s next general election, according to Thai mediaon November 14.
It is an obligation of the chair country to hosttwo ASEAN summits, one limited only to the 10 member nations in the first halfof the year, and another with partners later in the year.
While the Thai Government and the ElectionCommission (EC) have reaffirmed that there will be no more delays to thegeneral election, with the date for the poll set for February 24, 2019, thereis still the possibility of the poll being held any time between February andMay.
Timing the first ASEAN Summit under the Thaichairmanship for June would be rational in case the election is delayed untilMay. That would leave sufficient time for the new government after takingoffice, said an official who wished to remain anonymous.
Earlier on November 9, Thai Deputy PrimeMinister Wissanu Krea-ngam presented a political timeline that will lead to thegeneral election on February 24 next year, involving 350 constituencies.
On April 27 next year, the National Council forPeace and Order will submit a list of 250 senators for a royal approval. Thenew parliament will take office on May 8, 2019.
The Office of the Prime Minister of Thailandsaid many international organisations have sent in their requests to become observersof the polls, but affirmed that the matter comes under the authority of the EC.–VNA
It is an obligation of the chair country to hosttwo ASEAN summits, one limited only to the 10 member nations in the first halfof the year, and another with partners later in the year.
While the Thai Government and the ElectionCommission (EC) have reaffirmed that there will be no more delays to thegeneral election, with the date for the poll set for February 24, 2019, thereis still the possibility of the poll being held any time between February andMay.
Timing the first ASEAN Summit under the Thaichairmanship for June would be rational in case the election is delayed untilMay. That would leave sufficient time for the new government after takingoffice, said an official who wished to remain anonymous.
Earlier on November 9, Thai Deputy PrimeMinister Wissanu Krea-ngam presented a political timeline that will lead to thegeneral election on February 24 next year, involving 350 constituencies.
On April 27 next year, the National Council forPeace and Order will submit a list of 250 senators for a royal approval. Thenew parliament will take office on May 8, 2019.
The Office of the Prime Minister of Thailandsaid many international organisations have sent in their requests to become observersof the polls, but affirmed that the matter comes under the authority of the EC.–VNA
VNA
