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Coup leader rules out holding Thailand elections for one year

Asks people to co-operate with the military, end protests

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ANI London

Thailand 's military coup leader, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, has reportedly ruled out holding presidential elections for more than a year in order to facilitate political reconciliation and reform.

Warning the masses against any resistance to the military in a televised address, Gen Prayuth asked people to co-operate with the military and end their protests.

According to the BBC, in his first public address since the coup, Gen Prayuth said that the ruling military regime have a timeframe of one year and three months to move towards elections, adding that enough time has been wasted on conflict.

He said that a first phase of about three months would focus on "reconciliation" with a cabinet and new draft constitution put in place, adding that reforms would then be introduced over a second, year-long, period and only after this could elections be held, the report added.

 

Thailand was placed under curfew overnight after the nation's army announced on 22 May that it had taken control and suspended the constitution following months of political turmoil.

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First Published: May 31 2014 | 11:37 AM IST

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