Thai polls in February 2016 at the earliest

Bangkok

A GENERAL election to return Thailand to democracy after a military coup in May will be held in February 2016 at the earliest, a deputy prime minister said on Tuesday, later than the military had initially indicated.

The military government said last month that an election planned for late 2015 would be delayed until 2016, giving more time for reforms which the military says should bring stability after a decade of factional rivalry.