Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has confirmed that general elections will take place in November next year, amid confusion over the election dates and accusations that the ruling junta has been aiming to prolong its rule since a 2014 coup.
"The exact election date will be announced around June. In November, we will have an election," Prayut said on Tuesday.
Prayut's unexpected announcement at a weekly press briefing came after conflicting remarks he made recently on the election timeline.
Last week, at the meeting between Prayut and US President Donald Trump at the White House, a joint statement indicated that elections will take place in 2018.
But Prayut then backtracked on the 2018 date, telling a group of Thais in Washington and later the Thai media upon his return he only promised to announce the election date next year, and not actually hold an election.
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The confusion led to calls by critics for the junta to uphold the promise made to the US president.
After staging a coup in May 2014, the Thai junta has postponed democratic elections several times, citing the need to reform the country and to oversee the royal succession.
Thailand is gearing up for the cremation ceremony for the late king Bhumibol Adulyadej scheduled late this month, and the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn is expected in December.
