If the general elections take place in November next year as promised by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, his military regime's stay in executive power would have exceeded the four-year tenure of any elected government. By then, the period of four-and-a-half years under the military ruling would already be much longer than needed.
But the regime's recent show of reluctance to lift the ban on political activities implies either a desire to further prolong its power beyond that time frame or a bullying tactic in not giving political parties sufficient time to prepare for the polls. Both are undesirable moves, damaging to the country and Thai voters.
It appears that Gen Prayut, also head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and his government care little for the public's enthusiasm about Thailand's roadmap to democracy. Instead, they have responded with the utmost arrogance.
When asked on Tuesday when the government will lift the political ban, Gen Prayut declined to answer, saying this is "a matter for the NCPO".
He is wrong. The matter affects every single Thai. An end to the political ban would allow parties to prepare for the polls and show the regime's commitment to returning power to the people.
Later, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon cleared the air, insisting the ban was here to stay and the NCPO has no plan to further discuss it further.
Another deputy, Wissanu Krea-ngam, said the NCPO had discussed the issue and decided on a time frame to lift the ban, but declined to give details.
The three men believe it is in their right to not be consistent, open and straightforward with the public about the roadmap to democracy. Instead, they keep coming up with new excuses when their previous ones have lost legitimacy. This time they cited the need to maintain calm and public order.
The hint of another possibility came from National Legislative Assembly member Somchai Sawaengkarn who said on Wednesday the ban could be lifted in either February or March next year, following the passing of two organic laws on the elections of MPs and senators.
This has prompted speculation the polls will be postponed, as parties will not have enough time to hold meetings needed under a new organic law governing the way they work.
This law came into effect on Oct 7. It requires parties, both existing and new, to make certain arrangements within specific time frames.
Even though the Election Commission can extend such time frames to make up for lost time, political parties will have less time for campaigning or the polls will have to be delayed.
The lack of calm and order, according to Gen Prawit, is related to the expression of opinions by politicians allegedly made in a slanderous manner. So far, those opinions have been rather harmless.
In fact, if the polls will take place as planned, both politicians and voters will need to be able to express their views and hold meetings without fear of breaking the law.
Voters need the freedom to participate in political activities or public gatherings to familiarise themselves with the new organic laws related to elections and parties' policies.
When it took over power in 2014, the mission to end conflict among Thai people was cited by the NCPO as one of its key goals.
It has done little to achieve this mission and if it continues to prolong its grip on power and delays elections without setting a date, the NCPO will instigate more conflict and deepen political instability.
