Thai cabinet approves Dec 23 elections, king yet to approve final date |
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Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:09
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BANGKOK (Thomson Financial) - Thailand's army-installed cabinet on Tuesday approved December 23 as the date for the nation's first general elections since last year's military coup.The date will only become final once King Bhumibol Adulyadej signs off on it, Election Commission spokesman Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said.The king has been in hospital since Saturday after suffering weakness on one side of his body due to weak blood flow to the brain. Doctors say he is recovering, but Suthiphon said the election date would only be submitted to him next week.Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had announced the date in August. The delay in finalizing it had raised speculation that the elections could be postponed, despite Surayud's promises that they would proceed as planned.The polls will be held under a new army-backed constitution that was approved by voters in the nation's first-ever referendum in August. Critics say it will weaken elected leaders while empowering the bureaucracy and the military.Earlier this month Surayud took over the post of interior minister, which gives him oversight over the election process.Coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who toppled elected prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra last year, has also retired from the military and joined the government as a deputy prime minister in charge of security.Sonthi has refused to rule out the possibility that he could run in the elections.afp/zrzrCOPYRIGHTCopyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.
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Thai shares close flat amid concerns general elections may be delayed - UPDATE 