Thailand must hold polls to participate in global forum: IPU

Bangkok, May 11 (UNI) Thailand must hold general elections before it can participate again in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the top official of the global lawmakers' forum said here.

The 147-nation forum had banned Thailand from taking part in IPU activities after the military coup in September last year but did not expel the southeast asian nation .

As a result, Thailand was unable to host the 116th IPU conference this year which was instead held in Bali, Indonesia from April 29 to May 4.

Two Thai representatives, including former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan, were allowed to attend the IPU meeting in Indonesia to explain the political situation in the country.

According to IPU Secretary-General Anders Johnsson, a functioning parliament elected by the people is what the members of the forum are looking for.

Mr Johnsson met members of Thailand's military appointed interim parliament yesterday and held talks with national political leaders.

Thai representatives will be invited again to the next IPU meeting to be held in Geneva in October.

The IPU will monitor the national referendum on Thailand's new constitution that is now being finalised. The military regime in Bangkok has announced a time table for the elections to be held sometime in December this year after the constitutional referendum.

The IPU chief observed that last year's military takeover in Bangkok did not have an overall negative impact on democracy in Southeast Asia, but added that any undemocratic seizure of power was bad.

UNI