Thailand’s Administrative Court has ordered a halt to further by-elections, saying there may be grounds to rule the country’s inconclusive snap general election earlier this month unlawful.

The court, which rules on the legality of government actions, says there are grounds in petitions it would hear soon which might lead it to declare the April the 2nd election unlawful.

The ruling means by-elections for 14 seats left empty would not go ahead on Saturday as scheduled.

The Court’s action came just hours after a meeting of the chief justices of Thailand’s three most powerful courts, who had gathered to consider scrapping the April the 2nd poll, which was boycotted by the opposition.

Reporters in Thailand say the ruling appears to leave parliament unable to meet by the May 2 deadline because the constitution says only a complete legislature can convene.

They say it also appears to make new elections almost inevitable.

There has been no immediate comment from the Election Commission.

Royal intervention

Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has denounced the election result as undemocratic.

Earlier this week, he told the chief judges of Thailand to try to find a way to resolve the crisis and ensure a parliament can open.

It was the monarch’s first direct political intervention since 1992.

PCT Thailand

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