The Deputy Prime Minister refused to confirm the date despite a joint statement by the US and Thailand citing “free and fair elections in 2018”.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha informed US President Donald Trump during their meeting at the White House that he would announce the election date next year.

Prawit said what the PM meant was that he would announce the date next year with a condition that the election would take place after the completion of the laws and the countdown of election-preparation days.

“It’s not that he said the election will be held next year,” said Prawit. “When the election date will be is up to the completion of the organic laws.”

Two of these laws have been promulgated – the Election Commission and the political parties laws – while the other two, concerning senators and the election of MPs, are still going through the drafting and deliberation process. Once this is completed, there will be another 150 days for preparation by the Election Commission before the election can take place.