Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam insisted Thursday that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) must maintain its ban on political parties carrying out their election campaigns on social media, to prevent them from suing each other.
"One main reason the election campaign is still prohibited is the sooner the election begins, the faster the number of mud-slinging cases will escalate,'' said Mr Wissanu.
He was responding to questions on whether the government was concerned about a growing tendency of political parties to launch verbal attacks against one another.
Since the easing of political restrictions began last week, several major parties including the Pheu Thai Party and Democrat Party have vented their frustrations over the NCPO's ban on election campaigns on social media.
When asked about growing confusion among parties regarding the exact scope of the ban on social media campaigning, Mr Wissanu confirmed the ban prohibits election campaigns on social media. But the ban is only being upheld during the 90 day wait for the last two organic laws on the election of MPs and the Senate to come into effect, Mr Wissanu said.
However, it isn't correct to say election campaigning is only banned if conducted on social media because campaigning is in fact prohibited on every media platform, he said.
He also warned certain political parties risk charges for flouting the election campaign ban.
Mr Wissanu cited recent activity by the Pracha Phiwat group, in which it used a procession of vehicles to campaign for the people in Phitsanulok to attend a brainstorming session by the Action Coalition for Thailand Party. Photos of the activity were being circulated on social media and sparked criticism over whether the move was a form of campaigning that is banned.
Mr Wissanu said although he was not in a position to interpret whether such an activity fits the definition of the campaign ban, he would like to caution that these type of ambiguities could backfire on the group after the election results are known.
In the past election, he said, some parties shrugged off a warning that they were violating the election law in a very similar manner, and afterwards faced disqualification after winning the race after a complaint was lodged against them over their alleged violations of the election law.
"So, as they already know, because someone is keeping an eye on their every move and keeps collecting evidence to prove their possible misconduct, they better not take the risk," he said.
As for those attempting to discredit the government with criticism that it is using the media for public relations purposes, he said the government was doing its work as usual. These type of remarks against the government's role usually come whenever an election draws near, so let the critics carry on, he said.
Meanwhile, Varawut Silpa-archa, a core member of the Chartthaipattana Party, said the party expected to win about 30 MP seats in the coming election.
He said the party it will nominate its leader as a candidate to be selected as prime minister.
