Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha has launched his election campaign by joining social media, as political parties have started their campaigns for the election scheduled to take place next year.

The Facebook page of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Cha-o-cha, which was launched on October 14 (Source: www.bangkokpost.com)

Over the weekend, he launched a website, www.prayutchan-o-cha.com, available in Thai and English, along with opening Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

In a statement, the Thai leader noted that since many people use Facebook for communication, he would jump onto the platform too. 

"I would like to open my Facebook personal account as another channel to communicate my policies and work, as well as those of the government," the Thai PM wrote on the launch of the @prayutofficial Facebook account on 14 October.

He also encouraged Thai people to exchange views or state their problems on his social media.

The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand has announced that the country’s general election roadmap will last from 11 December, 2018 to 9 May, 2019.

However, the election date will be only officially announced after the government completely lifts the political party ban to pave the way for political parties to kick off the roadmap.

Between December 2018 and January 2019, the laws on electing parliamentarians will take effect, the political party ban will be lifted, a decree on election will be announced, political parties will reveal their lists of candidates, and the PM will decide which political party he will join to run for the election.

February 24 next year is considered the earliest day for the general election to be held and other projected dates are 31 March, 28 April and 5 May.

(Source: VNA)