BANGKOK — Thailand’s Election Commission says it is prepared to conduct a referendum on whether junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha should stay in power for two more years.

The proposal has backing from some members of the military government, but has not been formally endorsed.

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, the Election Commissioner who oversees voting practices, made it clear that the EC is ready to cooperate if the measure is ultimately approved.  

"If there is to be a referendum, there will be a joint meeting between the government and the EC about practical details, like the date, amount of time, and the government's budget for the EC's operations," said Somchai.

Somchai and other EC officials made headlines last year when they traveled to Scotland to observe its referendum on independence from the United Kingdom. The taxpayer-funded trip drew criticism back home, given Somchai and the EC's notorious reluctance to organise elections called by the former government toppled in the coup.

Asked whether the EC could conduct the referendum on Gen. Prayuth's extension in time for a second referendum on the junta’s new charter, Somchai replied, "If things proceed in accordance with the laws, of course, we can do it in time." 

Supporters of the military junta, including 26 members of the junta-appointed National Reform Council, have been publicly urging Gen. Prayuth to extend his "road map" to democracy by two years in order to complete the reform process he launched after staging a coup in May 2014.

Last month, the 26 NRC members submitted a formal request calling for a national vote on the proposal.

Under the junta’s current schedule, an election is slated to be held in September 2016, given that the junta’s new charter passes a referendum. The constitutional referendum will likely take place in late 2015 or early 2016. 

Thailand has been under military rule since Gen. Prayuth toppled an elected government on 22 May 2014. Gen. Prayuth was later chosen as Prime Minister by the military government he appointed.

Commenting on the issue yesterday, Gen. Prayuth said he would only stay on if the Thai people demand it.

"If it is the voice of the people, how can I object to that?" said Gen. Prayuth, who has kept a tight lid on freedom of expression and banned all political activities and public criticism for the past year. 

According to Maj.Gen. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a spokesperson for Gen. Prayuth, the junta chairman "never thinks about holding on to power."

"He only thinks about holding on to responsibility to the country," Maj.Gen. Sansern said. "He insists that he will follow the road map. There has been no change. But the Prime Minister will also listen to the voice of the people and consider what is right under the legal frame work in any decision he makes." 

Visanu Krue-ngam, deputy Prime Minister, declined to comment on the issue. "I do not have any opinion about it, and I cannot say how the society will react to this referendum," Visanu said, "Right now, I am only thinking about the referendum for the new constitution. Holding referendum on other issues is not a problem, but at this time, there is no need to talk about that."

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BANGKOK — A spokesperson for the junta's reform council said no changes have been made to the schedule for Thailand’s return to democratic rule, despite proposals from some members of the military government to postpone a national election for two more years.

"At this moment, the NRC still insists on the same road map," said Alongkorn Pollabutr Alongkorn, the secretary of junta-appointed National Reform Council (NRC). "There has been no change in our consensus on the issue of whether there will be [more] reforms before an election." 

He was referring to a proposal recently put forth by 26 members of the NRC who have called for a referendum to determine whether the military government should stay in power for two more years, thereby postponing the election tentatively set for September 2016.

Even without the extension, the current schedule is slated to subject Thailand to the longest period of military junta rule in the past 40 years. In previous military coups, the junta organized an election close to one year after seizing power. 

The petitioners say they believe junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha needs more time to complete the reform program he launched after staging a coup in May 2014.

"This matter is very sensitive," said Alongkorn. "There needs to be careful deliberation, because it might be seen as an attempt to perpetuate [the junta’s] power."

Gen. Prayuth himself has neither endorsed nor dismissed the proposal. Commenting on the issue today, he said he would only stay on if the Thai people approve the measure in a referendum. 

"If it is the voice of the people, how can I object to that?" he said. 

Gen. Prayuth seized power as army chief from an elected government in May 2014 amidst protracted anti-government protests in the capital city. He was later chosen as Prime Minister by an interim parliament he appointed.

The deputy chairman of the conservative Democrat Party – whose members initially welcomed the coup but have since become more critical of the military government – said he was not surprised by the proposal to further postpone national elections.

"The fact that some NRC members applaud and cheer the Prime Minister to stay on, I am not surprised," said Nipit Intarasombat. "Because these people were all installed in power because of the NCPO. Of course, they want the Prime Minister to stay, so that they can stay, too."

He continued, "As a good friend of the Prime Minister who has never criticized him at all, I'd like to warn him loudly this time, please be careful of the people close to you. The more power you have, the more vulnerable you will be. People around you are too afraid to warn you. They are all the type who say, ‘yes sir, it's good sir, that's right sir.’"

BANGKOK — Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha reiterated today that he is willing to delay national elections and stay in power for two more years if "the people" demand it.

Supporters of the military junta, including 26 members of the junta-appointed National Reform Council, have been publicly urging Gen. Prayuth to extend his "road map" to democracy by two years in order to complete the reform process he launched after staging a coup in May 2014.

As it stands now, a national election is expected to be held in September 2016 if the new charter, which is being drafted under the junta's oversight, passes a national referendum. 

Yesterday Gen. Prayuth said he would agree to stay on for two more years if the public approved the measure in a vote. He repeated his stance in a press conference with reporters at Government House today. Below are excerpts from the conference.

Reporter: Many NRC members have proposed that the Prime Minister stay for two more years to complete the national reforms.

Prayuth: Are the NRC the people? How many people are there in the country? There are 60 to 70 million people here. And about this proposal for a referendum for the government to stay and complete reforms, can it be done? If it can be done, do it. If it cannot be done, don't. It's not like I am saying yes to it. I am not. You have to understand that a commander or a leader has to respect other people as well. Now that they have put forth the proposal, I cannot simply dismiss them. Isn't that right? I have to thank them. If it can be done, it's up to the people to do it. It doesn't mean I am saying this because I accept it or I am happy about it. If I do not have to do anything more, if it's over at this point, I will be relieved. It's up to the next government. Let them do the work. I have done this much. But if they want me to do it, how to stay and make foreigners accept me – that will be my problem.

Reporter: Judging from the current situation, do you think you should stay?

Prayuth: I do not think like that. I only think about doing my best with the remaining time, and solving problems as fast as I can. But I cannot solve all the problems. The people expect a lot from me. They want everything to be solved. Can they not see that some things are really complicated? There needs to be a complete overhaul. It takes time. But it does not mean that I will monopolize it. I did the work, I started it, I drafted the plan and the laws, it depends on who will continue these works. It's up to the people and Thailand.

Reporter: If the majority of the people vote in favor in the referendum for you to stay — 

Prayuth: How can the referendum be done? Answer me first. There has to be an amendment in the interim charter, no? If so, you have to ask the Election Commission whether it can be done. I don't know if it can be done. Don't get me involved in this.

Reporter: What if there is a referendum and the people vote for you to stay?

Prayuth: It depends on the constitution. Is it written in there? The referendum for me to stay, is it written in there?

Reporter: So you will not oppose it if they want you to stay for two more years?

Prayuth: Don't use "if" with me. But, if it is the voice of the people, how can I oppose it? Are you Thai? I am here, I am doing this for the Thai people, is that not right? Am I doing this for others? If they want me to continue my work, then they must help create understanding, for people in the country, for politicians, and others, that I do not want power. It depends on Thailand, what kind of future the people want. It may not be me. The referendum may choose someone other than me.

Reporter: Does it mean that you can stay in power indefinitely as long as a new charter is not promulgated? 

Prayuth [raises his voice]: What do you mean, indefinitely? How? What does the [interim] charter say? It doesn't say I will stay on indefinitely. Talk some sense. Don't use the word indefinitely. Am I staying till next life? Say it correctly. What does the constitution say? It has limits of 60 days, 90 days, 120 days. Read it sometimes. 

Reporter: But there are people who want you to stay, and others who don't want you to stay.

Prayuth: Hey, You already know that! Of course, it is that way. Why are you asking me this? 

Reporter: Are you worried about the opposition? 

Prayuth: You keep asking me about troubles. You keep writing about troubles.