Thailand to hold election in November 2018: Prime minister

Taylor Weidman | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Prayuth Chan-ocha, Thailand’s prime minister, speaks during the ‘Thailand’s Big Strategic Move’ forum in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 22, 2017.

Thailand will hold a general election in November 2018, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Tuesday, the most precise date he has given yet for the vote since taking power in a 2014 military coup.

Prayuth, head of the ruling junta or National Council for Peace and Order, said the exact election date would be announced in June 2018. The junta has repeatedly delayed elections, citing concerns such as changes to the constitution and security issues.

“Around June we will announce the date for the next election,” Prayuth told reporters at Bangkok’s Government House.

“In November we will have an election.”