Thai king ends uncertainty, issues election decree

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – The Thai emperor has formally issued a decree calling for general elections in the country, local media reported Wednesday.

The decree by King Maha Vajiralongkorn was counter-signed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former army chief who led a coup against the government in 2014, daily Bangkok Post said.

Elections have been postponed four times in the country since the coup.

Protests calling for early polls have rocked the country prompting anger from the powerful Thai army.

Elections are due anytime before May this year.

Thailand witnessed its last general election in 2014 when former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved the parliament on Dec. 9, 2013 following massive anti-government protests. She was re-elected but Thai army toppled her government in a coup that year.