INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightEPAImage caption
Pro-democracy campaigners have grown frustrated by delays in setting an election date
Thailand's military government has said political parties are free to start campaigning ahead of a long-awaited election
scheduled for 24 February.The announcement ends a ban on political campaigning brought in when the military ousted the elected government in
a coup four years ago.The military has always insisted it intends to restore democracy in Thailand.But the election date has been pushed
The military took power in Thailand in 2014, overthrowing the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the hugely popular Pheu
Military leaders said at the time they were restoring order after months of political unrest which had at times turned violent
They later drew up a new constitution and changes to the electoral system, which were approved by the public in a referendum in 2017.The
constitution effectively ensures that even after the election, the military will remain an influential force in politics
It will be able to appoint the senate, which in turn will help choose the next prime minister.Dozens of people have been detained and
charged since the military banned political activity and gatherings of more than five people in an attempt to prevent more of the frequent
large scale protests seen over the years
But an announcement on Tuesday said political parties "should be able to campaign to present their policies" so the junta had "decided to
amend or abolish the laws".Image copyrightReutersImage caption
Ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra remains a powerful force
in Thai politics
Thailand's military has a history of intervening in politics and has seized power 12 times since the end of
the absolute monarchy - and the introduction of the first constitution - in 1932.It has promised not to intervene after the next elections
but has already delayed them several times
The TheIndianSubcontinent's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the new electoral system has been drawn up in a way that clearly disadvantages
Pheu Thai, the strongest party in the country for two decades
The party remains closely linked to its previous ousted leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in exile after being convicted of
corruption.Much will depend on how well popular support for the party has held up under military rule, says our correspondent
If it does well enough in the election, it may try to form a government, despite likely resistance from the military.