Thai military says martial law can be lifted in some areas

Associated Press

Bangkok — Thailand's military chiefs have agreed that martial law imposed after their coup in September can be lifted in parts of the country, army commander General Sondhi Boonayaratkalin said Monday.

The armed forces chiefs, who staged a bloodless coup against the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said it will be up to the interim civilian government that they appointed to act on their recommendation.

Martial law was imposed in an effort to ensure stability after the coup, which was the culmination of months of political tension after a protest movement arose early this year demanding Mr. Thaksin's ouster because of alleged corruption and abuse of power.

Since then, Mr. Thaksin has been vague about his political plans, while the military and the government it appointed have said they fear instability that could be instigated by the former prime minister's supporters.

Gen. Sondhi, who heads the Council for National Security, said that the partial lifting of martial law was the military's recommendation, but that it was up to the government to enact and announce it.

Army spokesman Colonel Akara Thiprot said martial law would not be lifted in areas where the situation was still considered unstable. He said these included border provinces in the south facing an Islamic insurgency, and provinces in the northeast and north, considered strongholds of support for Mr. Thaksin, as well as Bangkok, the capital.

Gen. Sondhi said the government should make sure it has laws or other legal means to allow security forces to maintain order after lifting martial law.