Bangkok (VNA) – Prime Minister of Thailand PrayutChan-o-cha has launched his election campaign by joining social media, aspolitical parties have started their campaigns for the election scheduled totake place next year.

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

In a statement, the Thai leader noted that sincemany people use Facebook for communication, he would jump onto the platformtoo.  

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

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

The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand hasannounced that the country’s general election roadmap will last from December11, 2018 to May 9, 2019.

However, the election date will be onlyofficially announced after the government completely lifts the political partyban to pave the way for political parties to kick off the roadmap.

Between December 2018 and January 2019, the lawson electing parliamentarians will take effect, the political party ban will belifted, a decree on election will be announced, political parties will revealtheir lists of candidates, and the PM will decide which political party he willjoin to run for the election.

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