DHAKA: Thailand will have to wait for about 15 months or more before elections are held, according to Thai junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has laid out his road map for reforms after seizing power though a military coup on May 22.

In a televised statement last night, the army chief said the junta would first start a national reconciliation process to bridge the rifts widened through the nearly decade-long political conflict.

This is expected to take two to three months, reports The Straits Times.

A reform committee will be set up and a temporary Cabinet appointed, and the Constitution rewritten. This will take about a year, after which, a general election can be held.

No amnesty will be given to those with outstanding criminal charges, he added.

BDST: 1238 HRS, MAY 31, 2014