Thailand’s opposition Pheu Thai party has blamed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as the main reason for the postponement of local election.

Opposition chief whip Mr. Suthin Klangsang today accused the Government of intentionally delaying local elections, pointing out that the existing Constitution does not have a chapter on decentralization.

He demanded that the Government clarify whether there will be local elections or not, as he dismissed the Prime Minister’s recent suggestion that both the Election Commission and the Interior Ministry should declare whether they are ready to hold the elections.

Pheu Thai party’s chief strategist Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, meanwhile, said that COVID-19 had been used as an excuse by the Prime Minister to postpone the elections and to dodge responsibility for the Government’s failure to address economic problems.

She said that she does not think lack of budget is the reason for the postponement of the elections, adding “The problem rests with the Prime Minister.”

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngarm said yesterday that money, earlier set aside for the holding of local elections, had been used in the efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

He explained that the bulk of the expenses for local elections areto be borne by local administrative organizations, and that themoney had been used for the fight against COVID-19, while the Government will be responsible for the expenses of the Election Commission.

Dr. Wissanu, however, said that budget is not a big issue, noting that it depends on whether the Interior Ministry is ready or not.