Wissanu said that despite concerns of the Election Commission, the election date could still be set for February 24 even if the royal decree is published in the Royal Gazette after January 4.

Wissanu said if the election royal decree is announced after January 4, the EC would simply have to hold expat voting and advance voting dates almost on the same days to allow the election date to still be on February 24.

The deputy prime minister added that the announcement of prime minister candidates by parties could be done within five days after the EC holds election candidates registration.

Wissanu was responding to a question regarding when the Palang Pracharat Party would announce Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its prime minister candidate.