Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered a probe into a report that a pro-regime group plans to set up a political party to help the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) prolong its hold on power.
Gen Prayut was responding to media reports that Maj Gen Songklod Tiparat, formerly a member of an NCPO committee preparing for national reform, planned to set up the Palang Chart Thai Party, which would welcome the former members of at least 10 other parties.
Gen Prayut said he knew nothing about Maj Gen Songklod and his group and there was no need for him to rely on their support.
He has ordered the Defence Ministry to look into the matter. Maj Gen Songklod was a former Defence Ministry staff judge advocate, he said.
"There is no need to set up a party to help the NCPO," Gen Prayut said. "Just wait and see what the situation is like first. There is almost a year to go [until the general election next November]." A specific date is expected in June.
Yesterday, Maj Gen Songklod denied speculation that he may set up a new party to support the NCPO. He said he had not registered any new party with the Election Commission (EC).
But he conceded he has set up a volunteer group called the Palang Chart Thai volunteer group.
He said after completing his work with an NCPO committee, he continued to receive complaints from people across the country and he wanted to relay those to the NCPO via the volunteer group.
Sources said it has already opened several branches in northeastern provinces, although their purpose is unclear. Speculation is rife that the group may register as a party once the NCPO lifts its longstanding ban on political activities.
A date for that has not been set but Gen Prayut indicated yesterday it would be happening anytime soon. The NCPO met to assess the political situation and agreed peace and order have not yet been fully restored, he said.
While it is important for the government to stick to its election roadmap, it is also necessary to wait for related legislation to come into force, he added.
He also allayed concerns by existing parties that they would have enough time to prepare for the election in accord with the time frame stipulated by the Political Parties Act, which took effect on Oct 8.
"I won't let this happen. Don't forget I have the power to extend things so they [parties] can prepare in time," Gen Prayut said.
During yesterday's media briefing he ordered officials to distribute documents about the NCPO's meeting to reporters.
They showed that the last two organic bills -- one on the election of MPs and the other on the Senate -- have not yet been tabled with the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), while the selection process for new EC members is still under way.
Meanwhile, the NCPO confirmed it will stick to the roadmap so the election can be held within 150 days of the related organic law taking effect.
In addition, the body said it is aware of parties' concerns that they may not have enough time to prepare for the poll unless the ban is lifted soon.
The time frame has not been set in stone by the charter but it is stipulated by the law on political parties, which could be changed to suit the circumstances, the NCPO document showed.
Moreover, the NCPO will use special measures or other legal moves to address this problem, it said.
EC member Pravich Rattanapian said he expected political restrictions would be eased within the six-month time frame.
He said the EC is ready to announce regulations relating to the law as soon as the NCPO revokes the ban.
Some political parties have sent questions to the EC regarding what they can and cannot do, he said, adding the EC will respond within 30 days.
Meanwhile, CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan denied rumours he had approached two former politicians -- Preecha Laohapongchana and Goanpot Asvinvichit -- to set up a party to support the NCPO.
He said the CDC may submit the final two bills to the NLA for consideration on Nov 28, instead of sending them to the Senate first.
