BANGKOK - A royal decree for Thailand's general election was issued on Wednesday to be followed by the announcement of the election date within the next five days.

Given an approval from His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the royal decree has been promulgated in the Royal Gazette, obliging the Election Commission to officially announce the date for the long-awaited election within five days, according to the constitution's organic law pertaining to the election.

The election date is largely expected on March 24, marking a one-month delay from an earlier schedule for Feb 24.

Under the 2017 constitution, the election of MPs is bound to be held within 150 days after the date on which the organic laws pertaining to the election was promulgated.

The last organic law pertaining to the election, one that governs the election of members of parliament, was promulgated on Dec 11.