BANGKOK, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday that the general election will take place after the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Prayut also said the general election will happen step by step.

The coronation ceremony is very important and the country needs peace and stability for the ceremony and also for investment, the prime minister said.

He also emphasized the coronation and politics are different stories.

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended to the throne in December 2016 after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October that year. A coronation ceremony is yet to be held.

After several postponements, Prayut said in February this year that the general election would take place by February 2019.