General elections meant to pull Thailand out of almost a year of political deadlock will take place in late November, election officials said on Thursday.
"The new election date is either on November 19 or 26. The sooner the better, because the election cannot be delayed until next year," said Apichart Sukhakkhanon, after the first meeting of the kingdom's recently selected Election Commission.
"Personally I agree that these two dates are appropriate," said Apichart, who was named as the election body's chairman.
Thailand has been on the brink of political crisis since April elections, called three years early by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to quell demands that he quit, were invalidated.
The new polls were originally scheduled for October 15, but had to be pushed back amid procedural delays, including the selection of the new Election Commission.
Three previous commission members quit in July after they were convicted of illegally aiding Thaksin's ruling party in the April 2 vote. A fourth resigned and the fifth has died.