BANGKOK, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had expressed his objection to the European Union (EU) proposal to monitor Thailand's general election in independent fashion, Thai News Agency on Tuesday quoted Election Commission (EC) Secretary General Suthiphol Thaweechaikarn as saying.

    The EU proposal suggested EU officials monitor Thailand's general election, scheduled for December 23, in independent fashion. However, Surayud had voiced his objection to such an idea during a recent talk with the EC chairman Aphichart Sukhagganond, Suthiphol said.

    Under the EU proposal, a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) would be signed between the Commission and the EU to facilitate the independent monitoring.

    According to Suthiphol, Surayud was against signing the proposed MOU, which he viewed would put Thailand in the position of a "Fail State" where an election was bound for observation by a foreign community as in the case of East Timor.

    If Thailand agree to the proposal, that means EU representatives would practically perform in independent fashion, be given access to polling units, make inquiries with high-level government officials and hold a press conference about anything related to the election in this country, Suthiphol explained.

    In that way, the EC personnel would work with more difficulties than necessary, Suthiphol added.

    Surayud announced Monday that the general election date is set on Dec. 23, after consultation with the EC chairman, and the Thai PM vowed to do its utmost to ensure a free and fair election.

    The election is considered as a crucial step to "restore democracy" to Thailand, more than one year after the military launched a coup to ousted the elected government led by Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept. 19 last year and installed the Surayud-led interim government.

    Some critics had suggested inviting international watchdog agencies to observe the polls to ensure the credibility of the results.