Thai parties call upon junta to unshackle politics

BANGKOK, Mar 28 (AFP): Thai political parties called on the junta Wednesday to lift curbs on campaigning as disquiet with the military's four-year rule deepens and demands mount for an election.

Since seizing power in 2014 Thailand's generals have banned gatherings of more than five people and coup leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha has repeatedly postponed the date for a return to democracy.

But as the fourth anniversary of the May 22 coup approaches, discontent is festering with the junta, accused of vacillating over the poll date while it faces a series of scandals.

Last month Prayut announced that elections would be held "no later" than February 2019 as he opened the door for new political parties to register.

Yet the junta has refused to ease restrictions on political gatherings and has said parties cannot meet without permission or publicly discuss policy.