Thai senatorial election set for March 30

BANGKOK - Thai caretaker government on Tuesday approved a draft royal decree that sets the election of senators for March 30, as proposed by the Election Commission (EC).

The candidacy registration of senatorial candidates will last from March 4 to March 8, deputy government spokeswoman Sunisa Lertpakawat was quoted by Bangkok Post as saying.

The draft royal decree will be submitted to the king for endorsement, Sunisa said.

The election is expected to fill the seats of elected senators, whose six-year term will expire on March 31.

The Senate comprises 150 seats, with a senator elected from each of 77 provinces including the capital Bangkok, and the rest appointed.

EC member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn earlier said the follow-up voting to fill the seats in the House of Representatives would not be held in March to avoid confusion that might appear because of the senatorial election.