BANGKOK, May 2 – Thailand’s Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) said it is inviting the Election Commission (EC) for talks next Thursday to prepare for the upcoming general election.
CAPO working committee spokesman Sirima Sunawin said CAPO director Chalerm Yubamrung has has submitted an invitation letter to EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen to propose the setup of a joint working committee of the two agencies to make ready for the July 20 election so it can be fair and successfully held.
The meeting is set for the afternoon of May 8.
CAPO also urged the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to rally peacefully and to avoid confrontations when they rally in Bangkok later this month.
The centre urged the public to avoid joining the demonstrations for their safety, saying that CAPO will strictly enforce the law and that those who violate the law from any group will be dealt with under the law.
Following reports that the PDRC may urge state enterprise employees to damage or disrupt infrastructure, CAPO said it has asked all state enterprises to have contingency plans for emergencies and submit details to the centre by May 12.
CAPO said responsible officials of state enterprises may face prosecution for supporting the PDRC move in violation of the agency’s warning if staff are found complicit in supporting PDRC anti-government activities.
