Parties law spurs calls to lift curbs

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The new organic law on political parties was published in the Royal Gazette and politicians are pushing junta chief Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to end the ban on political activities.

The government has been urged to repeal its ban on political activities in the wake of the promulgation of an organic law dealing with political parties.

The organic law on parties, which forms a part of the new constitution, came into effect after it was royally endorsed and published in the Royal Gazette on Saturday. The law consists of 152 sections, starting with the formation of parties to defining codes governing their day-to-day running.

Former Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai Samart Kaewmeechai said it is time the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) reviewed its ban on political activities, as parties would be under time pressure to comply with the organic law. The law requires parties to accomplish several activities in a designated time frame. For instance, it stipulates that a party should hold a general meeting of its executives within 180 days of the promulgation of the law.

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Mr Samart said the process for calling such a meeting would not be an easy task as, under the new law, a party has to first select representatives for its regional branches before inviting them to the meeting. He feared the NCPO's ban on political activities will make it difficult for parties to meet such a requirement.

Nikorn Chamnong, director of the Chartthaipattana Party, said drastic changes would be needed to parties' management structures under the law, which cannot be achieved without their holding various activities within the stipulated time frame.

Mr Nikorn told the Thai News Agency that a party has to first check the number of its members and report in to the registrar within 90 days. It must also advise at least 500 members to pay their membership fees within 180 days -- the time frame allotted to stage the general meeting. He asked the NCPO to consider lifting the ban on political activities after the royal cremation ceremony is over.

Democrat Party deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat said he believed the government and the NCPO were aware of the problems arising from the ban. He said the regime is expected to ease restrictions on some activities required by the law, while maintaining the ban on other forms of activities, particularly holding political campaigns.

Under the new law, a party must have at least one million baht in initial registered capital and all founders have to contribute at least 1,000 baht each. Before a party can apply to register, a quorum of at least 250 founders and co-founders is required and a formal meeting must be held.

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