A total of 36 political parties have signed a code of ethics on election campaigning, under which they agree not to resort to election cheating, vote buying and mudslinging in a way which could incite hatred or violence.

No representatives of the Palang Pracharath or United Thai Nation parties were present at the event.

Election Commission Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee, who was present at the signing of the campaign ethics document today (Wednesday), hailed the move as a healthy sign for Thai politics ahead of a free and fair general election.

Anusorn Tamajai, chairman of the board of the Pridi Banomyong Institute, said that the campaign ethics code was scrutinised by representatives of the 36 parties and democracy advocacy networks before being signed today.

He said that all the signatory parties share the common goal of restoring democracy to the country, after the coup in 2014 and the following quasi democratic administrations.

Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon, a representative of a people’s network observing the election, said that they will urge the public to volunteer to observe the voting as well, to ensure it is fair and free from electoral fraud.

The major parties present at the signing included Pheu Thai, Move Forward and Thai Sang Thai.

The general election will be on May 14th and most parties have already started campaigning.

Campaign rallies in Bangkok are yet to start, but the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has opened 16 public venues, mostly public parks, in which political parties can hold rallies if they notify city officials three days in advance.