Applications for Thai NRC members close on Sept 2

BANGKOK, September 2 (TNA) - Applications for seats in Thailand's National Reform Council close on September 2, with overall candidates nationwide expected to exceed 6,000. The Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has gathered applications from representatives of non-profit organizations for the selection of a total 250 national reform councilors in the near future, with overwhelming candidates since the applictions were first opened on August 14, 2014. The EC said the applications for the NRC members were set to be closed on Tuesday afternoon, at 4:30pm, with more than 5,800 applicants nationwide as of Tuesday morning. According to the EC, candidates can send their applications by mail and the election agency will accept applications postmarked until September 2. The EC will be, thereafter, verifying candidates' qualifications for 11 selection committees. EC Secretary-General Puchong Nutrawong told journalists that the expected accumulated number of over 6,000 applicants will enable the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to have enough candidates from adequately various fields for the selection of 250 national reform councilors and the formation of the NRC. Puchong revealed that the selection committees will have their first meeting on September 4 to select their heads and they will have up to three subsequent meetings. Puchong assessed candidates should be shortlisted by October 2, 2014, consisting of 50 for each of 11 fields of work and five for each of 77 Thai provinces. (TNA)