Thai elections 'could be delayed until 2016'
Thailand's finance minister has told the BBC that elections to bring an end to military rule might not take place until 2016, a year later than planned.
Sommai Phasee said he had discussed the date with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the coup which overthrew the elected government in May.
Prayuth has previously hinted that the 2015 date could move.
The Thai military maintains the coup was needed to end months of unrest and political deadlock.
Thailand remains under martial law, and last week Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said it would remain in place "indefinitely".
The coup was welcomed by many Thais, but there is growing discontent in Thailand and internationally with the military's continued hold on power.
'DEPENDS ON ROADMAP'
Speaking to the BBC's chief business correspondent Linda Yueh, Phasee said that from his conversations with Prayuth "I think it may take, maybe, a year and a half" for elections to be held.
He said both he and the prime minister wanted to see an end to martial law, but that it was still needed now "as his tool to deal with security".
Earlier this month, General Prayuth said a date for elections depended on the completion of a new constitution and a roadmap to political reforms.
"Everything depends on the roadmap, so we must see first if the roadmap can be completed. Elections take time to organise," he added.
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