BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's military-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has said his government has decided to lift martial law in parts of the country, including the capital Bangkok.
"The cabinet has approved the recommendation by the Council for National Security to lift martial law in some parts of the country," Surayud told reporters.
The junta that seized power on September 19, which now calls itself the Council for National Security, recommended on Monday that martial law be lifted in about half of Thailand.
Surayud did not say exactly which provinces cabinet had agreed to end military rule, or when the decision would take effect. The defense minister was expected to announce details later Tuesday.
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej must sign off on the decision before it becomes final.
Thailand decides to partially lift martial law
From Bloomberg:
Thai Government to Remove Martial Law in 41 Provinces (Update3)
By Anuchit Nguyen
Nov. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand's junta-installed government will lift martial law in 41 of 76 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, to improve the country's image and boost tourism, Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtas said.
Martial law will remain in force in provinces bordering neighboring countries to curb drugs and goods smuggling, Boonrawd told a news conference in Bangkok today. The lifting will take effect after King Bhumibol Adulyadej ratifies the move, he said.
Thailand has been under martial law since Sept. 19, when armed forces led by army chief Sondhi Boonyarataklin ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government in a bloodless coup. Martial law gives the military powers to make arrests and conduct searches, as well as ban demonstrations.
``We've prepared alternative measures to cope with any possible rally and gathering, especially in Bangkok, after martial law is removed,'' Boonrawd said. ``The decision today will be good for the country's image and tourism.''
The military leaders and government had resisted pressure from countries such as U.S. and Indonesia to remove martial law over concerns that some supporters of the previous administration are trying to destabilize the country.
The U.S., which suspended some military aid to Thailand after the coup, is considering further measures to pressure the junta-appointed government to lift martial law and restore democracy, it said in a statement Oct. 3.
`Accusation Groundless'
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also urged the end of martial law, that country's foreign minister, Hassan Wirajuda, said Oct. 21.
Most of the provinces that are still under martial law are in the northern and northeastern provinces including Chiang Mai, Boonrawd said. Chiang Mai is the hometown of Thaksin. The previously ruling Thai Rak Thai party, founded by Thaksin, won most of their parliamentary seats from the two regions.
``The accusation of the military about movement by the previous government's supporters is groundless and lacks solid evidence,'' Thai Rak Thai spokesman Jatuporn Prompan said by telephone today. ``That accusation gives them a reason to keep martial law in the provinces where there is more opposition against the armed forces and government than support.''
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said earlier the Cabinet today approved the removal of martial law in some provinces.
Thai Government to Remove Martial Law in 41 Provinces (Update3)
By Anuchit Nguyen
Nov. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand's junta-installed government will lift martial law in 41 of 76 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, to improve the country's image and boost tourism, Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtas said.
Martial law will remain in force in provinces bordering neighboring countries to curb drugs and goods smuggling, Boonrawd told a news conference in Bangkok today. The lifting will take effect after King Bhumibol Adulyadej ratifies the move, he said.
Thailand has been under martial law since Sept. 19, when armed forces led by army chief Sondhi Boonyarataklin ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government in a bloodless coup. Martial law gives the military powers to make arrests and conduct searches, as well as ban demonstrations.
``We've prepared alternative measures to cope with any possible rally and gathering, especially in Bangkok, after martial law is removed,'' Boonrawd said. ``The decision today will be good for the country's image and tourism.''
The military leaders and government had resisted pressure from countries such as U.S. and Indonesia to remove martial law over concerns that some supporters of the previous administration are trying to destabilize the country.
The U.S., which suspended some military aid to Thailand after the coup, is considering further measures to pressure the junta-appointed government to lift martial law and restore democracy, it said in a statement Oct. 3.
`Accusation Groundless'
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also urged the end of martial law, that country's foreign minister, Hassan Wirajuda, said Oct. 21.
Most of the provinces that are still under martial law are in the northern and northeastern provinces including Chiang Mai, Boonrawd said. Chiang Mai is the hometown of Thaksin. The previously ruling Thai Rak Thai party, founded by Thaksin, won most of their parliamentary seats from the two regions.
``The accusation of the military about movement by the previous government's supporters is groundless and lacks solid evidence,'' Thai Rak Thai spokesman Jatuporn Prompan said by telephone today. ``That accusation gives them a reason to keep martial law in the provinces where there is more opposition against the armed forces and government than support.''
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said earlier the Cabinet today approved the removal of martial law in some provinces.
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Everyone please read the above quote and tell me if he doesn't contradict his opening statement completely with his closing statement?Jim wrote: ``The accusation of the military about movement by the previous government's supporters is groundless and lacks solid evidence,'' Thai Rak Thai spokesman Jatuporn Prompan said by telephone today. ``That accusation gives them a reason to keep martial law in the provinces where there is more opposition against the armed forces and government than support.''
Who the bloody hell are they supporting then, if not the ghost of TRT. The spin doctors are alive and well in LOS! 
Pete
