THE BAN on political activities will stay until the organic law on the election of MPs comes into effect, according to the latest junta order. The political parties Act, which was promulgated in early October, will come into effect only on April 1, 2018, according to the junta order yesterday. The Article 44 order allows executive party members to continue in their positions but allows existing party members to choose whether to remain with the same parties. The political party law requires that party membership lists be updated within 90 days after promulgation of the law. Aiming to make party members “more independent” of financiers, it will require parties to have members and candidates in all contesting constituencies.

Source: The Nation Bangkok December 22, 2017 18:00 UTC