Thai army chief rejects courtesy call from Yingluck

BANGKOK, June 6 (TNA) - Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-o-cha has rejected a recent request of the Pheu Thai Party's top-list candidate, Yingluck Shinawatra, for a courtesy call on him, insisting that it appears inappropriate during ongoing electoral campaigns of all political parties.

Royal Thai Army Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd officially declined Yingluck's request on Monday, reasoning that General Prayuth is the chief of a state institution, he, therefore, should not hold bilateral talks with any political candidate in the run-up to the country's July 3 general election to refrain from criticisms or any violation of electoral laws.

Colonel Sansern said, however, that the Royal Thai Armed Forces are willing to provide equal opportunities to all political parties to launch their electoral campaigns in all military areas, if requested, but the vote campaigning in the military zones is to be first officially reported to Election Commission (EC) authorities in each respective area. (TNA)