The government should keep its promise to hold an election next year and ease limits on freedom of expression and political activities, the Pheu Thai Party urged yesterday, claiming the European Union won't "fully normalise" relations with Thailand until it does.
The government has hailed the decision by the EU's Foreign Affairs Council this week to resume political contacts with Thailand, ending the freeze on formal relations and free trade talks it imposed after the May 2014 coup.
However, Pheu Thai yesterday said the government can't afford to rest, as relations won't return fully to normal until the election is held and the country returns to democracy. It cited the EU's remarks that signing a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and any free trade deal could only be carried out with an elected government.
"Pheu Thai calls on the government to take note of Clause 12 in the EU ministers council's resolutions which reiterates that it shall review relations with Thailand" to make sure it does as promised, including easing political curbs, holding credible elections, and installing a democratically elected civilian government, it said.
