Violence or terrorist attacks have not prevented other countries from holding elections. The United Kingdom, for instance, proceeded with its poll following a terrorist attack in June. But the mere discovery of a weapons cache is being used to jeopardise Thailand's roadmap to a general election.
The military regime, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has cited the discovery of the weapons in Chachoengsao as a security threat and as a reason to prolong its political ban which could consequently delay the poll promised to take place in November next year by NCPO chief Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
This repeatedly used tactic has stirred worries among a broad swath of society over the fate of the next poll instead of any fears about their safety.
Key NCPO figures, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and army chief Chalermchai Sitthisad, have not explicitly explained why and how the weapons dumped in a rice field could pose a serious security threat.
If the owners of the weapons abandoned them out of fear of being prosecuted, as claimed by Gen Chalermchai, it means they no longer wanted to keep them for further use, thereby minimising the security threat. And if security officers managed to locate the weapons in the rice field, then they should be capable of finding any other illegal caches elsewhere, if they exist.
Over a period of more than three years, the regime has managed to keep security under control. There is no reason for the public to be told that Thailand is too dangerous for political activity and elections.
Earlier, the regime also used security threats as a pretext for its refusal to lift the political ban. Following a bomb explosion at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok in May, Prime Minister Prayut warned that the country might not be ready for elections given such circumstances.
Then, following the promulgation of the political party act in October, there had been growing calls for the regime to terminate the restriction and allow political parties to meet a Jan 5 deadline for their internal arrangements required by the law. But the regime played the same card, claiming either "political activity" or political divisiveness as grounds for maintaining its grip on power.
The latest arms discovery reminds many of previous "discoveries" of similar weapons. The last time took place in March when the authorities claimed they found weapons in a house of Wuthipong "Kotee" Kochathamakun, a member of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
This time, five UDD members are alleged to have been involved in possessing the weapons. The red-shirt connection prompts speculation as to why this group, which advocates democracy, would want to carry out any attacks that might jeopardise the election roadmap.
Both Gen Chalermchai and Gen Prawit claimed the recent discovery means the situation is not suitable for any political activities. The army chief even said this could lead to other problems without specifying how and what problems they are.
Two key political rivals, the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties, both view this claim as unconvincing and unreasonable.
All political parties will be affected if the ban is not lifted. They risk losing their legal status and will not be eligible for the election if they fail to meet the Jan 5 deadline.
Alternatively, Gen Prayut can use his special power to extend the deadline if the ban is terminated later on. But parties will have to struggle to meet other new deadlines required by other new poll laws.
Neither of the scenarios are attractive for the country's democratic future. They are, however, enticing for the military regime. Amid the growing mistrust from a wider range of stakeholders, the NCPO needs to stop finding excuses not to lift the political ban which would put the brakes on the poll.
