Special report: Situation in Thailand

    BANGKOK, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Two rival parties in Thailand, the Democrat and the Thai Rak Thai, have respectively expressed readiness to revise their campaigning plans if the October 15 election is to be delayed.

    "The anticipated delay will not adversely impact on the ruling party because its advance planning has factored in every contingency," caretaker Deputy Interior Minister Somchai Sunthornvut said on Wednesday.

    Somchai made the remarks in response to reports that the Senate could not meet this week's deadline for the appointment of the Election Commission (EC) and that the balloting day would have to be rescheduled in order to overcome time constraints for electoral preparations.

    "Thai Rak Thai candidates always keep in touch with their constituents and the people are familiar with the party's policies," Somchai said, voicing confidence to garner support regardless of the election day.

    He said Cabinet members and senior party executives would fan out to help electoral candidates woo votes.

    "Each minister will supervise campaign activities in two to three constituencies," he said.

    Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesman Ongart Klampaiboon said his party was ready to contest the new election at the date decreed by the EC.

    "Should the new EC deem it necessary to postpone the polls, the Democrats have no objection on the matter," he said. Enditem