Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has warned politicians that the election might be postponed from next February to May if they think that the 70-day period permissible for election campaigning is not enough.

“How about 150 days so the election will be held on May 5?  Or how about 210 days?,” he said half-jokingly when asked by a reporter on Friday about several politicians’ disappointment with the short period of time permissible for them to engage in political activities, including electioneering.

Dr Wissanu stressed that, for the time being, nothing has been fixed yet.  He said he earlier cited an example during the government of former prime minister M.R. Kukrit Pramoj when parties were given only 20 days for electioneering.

He said the period for election campaigning should not be too short or too long as both would not be good for parties contesting the polls.

However, he said that once the NCPO Order No 53/2560 which forbids political activities is lifted, then political parties can go into election mode, but actual campaigning can start when the election date is clearly specified in the royal decree for the election of MPs.

He said the period for election campaigning should not be too short or too long as both would not be good for parties contesting the polls.

However, he said that once the NCPO Order No 53/2560 which forbids political activities is lifted, then political parties can go into election mode, but actual campaigning can start when the election date is clearly specified in the royal decree for the election of MPs.