Thai elections may be delayed to 2008 ?

Local media reported on saturday Thailand's junta leader said the promised national elections might be delayed until 2008.
General Sonthi Bunyaratglin, who led the coup that overthrew a controversial government in September, declared that drafting a new constitution and making arrangements for a national election might extend into next year.
He announced : “Several academics have voiced their concern that the general election could not be held as planned, so I will bring this to discuss with the prime minister”.
Analysts say it remains a possibility that the charter being drawn up to replace the 1997 “People’s Constitution” torn up in last September’s military coup would be rejected in a plebiscite set for August 19,
Lawmakers declared a fierce election campaign ahead of 80th birthday celebrations for King Bhumibol Adulyadej on December 5 would not be appropriate.
Surayud told reporters on sunday he would wait to see the result of the referendum before deciding on the final date for the parliamentary election.
“I wish to keep my words by holding the elections at the end of the year,” said Surayud, whose popularity declined to 46% in a June survey released on Sunday by a Bangkok university, compared to 48% in February.
In the meanwhile approximately 15.000 protesters opposed to the military-installed government took to the streets again Sunday. They were stopped from approaching the home of former Prime Minister Prem Tinsulononda, a member of the Privy Council, an advisory body to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The protesters were mostly supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in last September's bloodless coup following protests accusing him of corruption and abuse of power. They asked for a new election soon.