Thai Elections a Step Closer as King Endorses New Charter

Constitution indicates vote likely to take place in late 2018
Latest charter empowers ‘old elites’ over elected politicians

A man unloads portraits of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn in Bangkok.
Photographer: Dario Pignatelli/Bloomberg

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By Supunnabul Suwannakij and Yumi Teso

April 5, 2017 at 9:00 PM UTC

Updated on

April 6, 2017 at 1:05 PM UTC

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Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn ratified a military-backed constitution in a televised ceremony in Bangkok on Thursday, paving the way for an election in late 2018.

“Let the Thai people be united in complying with and protecting the constitution of Thailand to maintain the democratic system and sovereignty,” Vajiralongkorn said in a statement read by a palace official after the signing ceremony.