Int'l organizations invited to observe Thailand's Feb 2 general election

BANGKOK, December 17 (TNA) - Thailand's caretaker government will invite international organizations and foreign journalists to observe the country's new general election on February 2, 2014. Deputy Government Spokesman Chalitrat Chantharubeksa told journalists on Tuesday that Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra assigned, at the Cabinet's weekly meeting earlier in the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior to coordinate the invitation with the Election Commission of Thailand (EC). The deputy government spokesman said that the caretaker prime minister also told relevant agencies to support the EC in organizing a fair general election. Meanwhile, five new royally-appointed election commissioners, who form the 4th EC, entered their office for the first time at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road in the capital. The new election commissioners, chaired by Supachai Somcharoen, then held their first meeting to discuss preparations for the new general election. The new EC chairman said he is ready to discuss solutions with all parties and expects such discussions should lead to solutions to Thailand's political problems. (TNA)