BANGKOK — Thailand will not see an elected government until early 2017, according to the deputy chairman of the junta’s interim parliament, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

Peerasak Porchit told reporters in Lopburi province on 18 July that he believes the "road map" promised by the ruling junta, which seized power from an elected government in May 2014, may be extended yet again in order to prepare for the referendum on the new constitution. 

Under the current schedule, which has seen the date for elections postponed several times, the referendum for the junta-drafted charter will take place in January 2016, followed by a national election in September 2016, if the charter passes the vote.

But Peerasak said he believes referendum date may have to be postponed.

"I believe that we won't be able to hold a referendum in early 2016, because, according to the procedures, we have to print and send charter drafts to 80 percent of all households, which are about 28 million households," Peerasak said. "That will take a lot of time."

He said he expects the referendum to take place in February 2016, followed by an election in December 2016, with the new government taking office in early 2017. 

"Therefore, I believe that this government will stay until early 2017," Peerasak said. "And it will be able to deliberate on the budget for 2017 fiscal year, which will be passed by the NLA. This will benefit the people." 

Thailand’s last election took place in February 2014, when then-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called a snap poll in response to anti-government street protests calling for her resignation. The opposition Democrat Party boycotted the poll, and protesters blockaded voting stations in parts of Bangkok and 14 southern provinces.

The Constitutional Court later invalidated the February 2014 election because of protesters' obstructions to voting.

Several months later, on 22 May 2014, the military seized power from Yingluck’s government, dissolved the constitution, and appointed an interim parliament stacked with military officers and junta allies.

Coup-leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha then ordered a ban on all protests and political activities, which is still in place today. 

Speaking to reporters in Ratchaburi province yesterday, Peerasak said he was not suggesting that Gen. Prayuth's government wants to hold onto power. 

"The reason I said the government will stay until 2017 is this: I was explaining the road map of the government. It's not like the government wants to stay on longer," Peerasak said.

"But I want people to understand about the length and scope of the works of the government and the NLA. We have to set a schedule so that we can work in accordance with the road map. This government is in a special situation. Gen. Prayuth is wearing two hats: Prime Minister and leader of the NCPO [the junta's National Council for Peace and Order]. He is here to solve the country's problems. He doesn't want to stay on, or canvass for any votes."

He added, "I insist that this is not a time extension for the Prime Minister to stay on or perpetuate his power, because we will have a new elected government by 2017. Therefore, if we want to do anything in this time, we have to hurry up and do it. I want every side to join hands, solve problems, and reform our country in the remaining time that the NLA and the government have." 

Correction: The original version of this article inaccurately stated that the last election in Thailand took place in February 2013. In fact, the poll took place in 2014.

PATTANI — A former separatist leader recently freed from prison has vowed to assist the Thai government's effort to quell the secessionist movement in Thailand's southern border provinces.

Haji Sama-ae Thanam, 63, was released from prison on 17 July after spending 18 years behind bars on terrorism charges.  His life sentence was reduced as part of a government policy to pardon former insurgents who have displayed good behavior and renounced the armed struggle. 

Speaking to reporters at his home in Pattani province's Panare district on Saturday, Sama-ae thanked the government, the military, and the Southern Border Provinces Administration Center.

"From now on, I will be dedicated to solving problems and developing the border provinces," Sama-ae said, referring to the provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, which local Muslim insurgents are aiming to secede from Thai authorities.

"What I will do is coordinate, talk, and negotiate with different groups, especially groups of people who think differently from the state, and who are knowledgable about many things, so that they can join the effort to build peace in the region."

He continued, "This includes working to develop the quality of life and livelihood of the people. We will uphold the principle of Sufficiency Economy." 

Sama-ae also told reporters he is particularly interested in improving Pattani’s halal food industry.

"I will invite businessmen from Malaysia to join the investment to increase income and jobs for people in the area, so that the local economy will be better. So it will be necessary for me to travel between Thailand and Malaysia to coordinate and contact with businessmen who will invest in our halal industry estate, and I will talk to my friends to build peace."

Prior to his arrest in 1997, Sama-ae, who was known by his nom de guerre Ismael Gaddafi, was leader of the armed wing of the Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO), one of separatist groups seeking to secede the three southern border provinces –  a region known as the Deep South. The Muslim-majority region was an independent Islamic kingdom called Patani until it was annexed by Thailand in the early 20th century. 

Although PULO faded from the scene shortly after Sama-ae's arrest, new groups of militants revived the insurgency in January 2004 and have been fighting Thai authorities in the region ever since. The latest wave of secessionist violence has claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people, according to data compiled by human rights groups. 

YALA — A former Muslim insurgent leader was released from prison today on the final day of Ramadan after receiving a pardon from Thai authorities.

Haji Sama-ae Thanam, 63, led the armed wing of the Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO), one of the separatist groups seeking to secede three southern provinces in Thailand, until he was arrested and charged with terrorism in 1997. He was found guilty in court in 2011 and sentenced to life in prison. 

According to the authorities, Sama-ae, who is known among other militants as Ismael Gaddafi, planned numerous attacks against security officers in the Muslim-majority region known as the Deep South. Although PULO faded from the scene in late 1990s, new militant groups revived the insurgency in January 2004, and have been fighting Thai authorities in the region ever since, claiming the lives of more than 6,000 people.

After spending 18 years behind bars, Sama-ae was released from Yala Provincial Prison today. Officials said Sama-ae's sentence was commuted as part of a government effort to encourage reform among former insurgents who show good behavior in prison. 

Sama-ae was welcomed by his relatives, including his son and wife, and community leaders at the prison today. 

Panu Uthairat, sec-gen of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center, told reporters that Sama-ae thanked junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha for the pardon, which allowed him to observe Eid al Fitr, a celebration of the end of Ramadan, with his family. 

"It is the most precious gift for his family," Panu said.

He explained that Sama-ae was rated as an "Exceptional Prisoner" by the prison, which allowed him to qualify for a government policy to pardon former insurgents' that display a willingness to reform.

"Haji Sama-ae's [pardon] today is in accordance with policy of the Prime Minister, and has been given approval by commander of the Fourth Region Army, because he has been behaving well throughout all this time," Panu told reporters. "So he received a reduction of sentence to 27 years 9 months, and Sama-ae has already served one third of that new sentence, so he qualified for a pardon." 

He added, "Sama-ae has been cooperating with authorities and providing assistance in solving problems of the three southern border provinces, and he has expressed his sincerity in building peace in the region." 

Founded in 1968, PULO fought a violent campaign to secede the three border provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, which were annexed by Thailand in early 20th century. The organization's influence later waned in late 1990s due to internal disputes and arrests of its high-ranking members, such as Sama-ae. 

Although successors of PULO continue to occasionally issue statements in support of independent Patani, Thai authorities believe that a majority of the ongoing violence in the region is waged by other local militant networks who have no direct links to PULO.