Martial Law Lifted In 41 Provinces

[george]

Martial law in 41 provinces officially lifted Friday

BANGKOK: -- Gen Sonthi Boonyaratgin, the chairman of the Council for National Security, said the martial law in 41 provinces was officially lifted Friday.

He said His Majesty the King signed a royal command to lift the martial law in the provinces so officials could no longer make arrests without court warrants.

Sonthi was speaking during an interview with CNN.

-- The Nation 2007-01-26

[Laulen]

Let us hope this cautious change leads to changes in other areas of Thai life; like a more transparent, but nevertheless accountable press; both print and broadcast media!

[Mosha]

I'm just curious as to how it's affected the Thai's daily life. I mean here in the south my wife still goes off every day for Len Phai. Now if that had been stopped she would be upset.

Edited January 26, 2007 by Mosha

[tijnebijn]

That is a good thing,looks like slowly things will go back to normal.

At least there is a bit less stress in the atmosphere,now the rest of it.

[animatic]

This is good news.

The possibility of mis-use was more an issue

than the actual affect of martial law used as it has been.

This now limits the abuse possibilities.

Their main reasoning for martial law was clearly to keep order,

as Thaksins cronies and economic protgeés, et al, started dealing with

their loss of power, revenue and potentially freedom if investigations

'proceded in a timely fashion'. This last hasn't quite been the case.

And the potential targets are not as wildly panicing.

Regardless of the efficacity of investigations,

the public in general is still tranquill,

and any garden variety trouble makers have shown their faces,

and are under observation of some sort.

This move relaxes the majority and doesn't remove

too much 'power through speed' of policing powers,

which is why it was put in place;

Quickly deal with things if they get outa hand.

Less of an issue now,

they just need ferret out the real hardcores

and catch them in the act.

Not a speed of prossecution issue.

One can but hope this is just another step towards normalicy,

as much as we can grasp that in LOS...

Edited January 26, 2007 by animatic

[fongvin]

[LaoPo]

Martial law in 41 provinces officially lifted Friday

-- The Nation 2007-01-26

Out of 76 provinces...that's still 35 provinces to go...

LaoPo

[sriracha john]

Martial law officially lifted in 41 Thai provinces after King's endorsement

BANGKOK, Thailand: Martial law, imposed in Thailand after a coup d'etat in September, has officially been lifted in 41 of the country's 76 provinces, the country's powerful army chief said Friday.

Army commander Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin said the lifting of martial law, approved last month by the country's interim Cabinet, became effective with its signing by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, according to government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarb, who added that its lifting became effective Friday.

The military rarely if ever exercised its powers under martial law, instead using the measure as a threat against possible opponents, such as supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in the bloodless Sept. 19 coup. The measure mainly empowered the military to be in charge of security and make arrests without warrants in the name of maintaining order.

Sondhi, who led the coup, gave no indication of when martial law would be removed in the remaining 35 provinces. The capital, Bangkok, was among the provinces where it was lifted, while the country's southernmost provinces, plagued by an Islamic insurgency, are still subject to the military restrictions.

He had earlier said that martial law needed to be maintained in certain parts of the country, especially the country's north and northeast, where he blamed arson attacks that targeted a dozen schools on "ill-intentioned people." The regions were Thaksin's political stronghold and some officials speculated that his supporters were behind the attacks.

Sondhi and prime minister Surayud Chulanond had repeatedly said that the army had no intention to hold on to power.

Thaksin was ousted after months of anti-government protests and widespread accusations of corruption and abuse of power against him.

- Associated Press

[LaoPo]

It would be useful if "the country's powerful army chief" would publish a map of the provinces where martial law is lifted or not lifted. It would be a lot clearer for 'outsiders'.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DN

LaoPo

[Jai Dee]

HM the King consets to lift the martial law in 41 provinces

His Majesty the King has endorsed the lift of the martial law in 41 provinces of Thailand, but it is still in effect in the provinces that the Council for National Security (CNS) has announced.

The provinces that are still under the enforcement of the martial law include Kamphaeng Phet (กำแพงเพชร), Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น), Chaiyaphum (ชัยภูมิ), Chiang Rai (เชียงราย), Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่), Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา), Narathiwat (นราธิวาส), Buri Ram (บุรีรัมย์), Pattani (ปัตตานี), Mae Hong Son (แม่ฮ่องสอน), Maha Sarakham (มหาสารคาม), Yala (ยะลา), Roi Et (ร้อยเอ็ด), Loei (เลย), Si Sa Ket (ศรีสะเกษ), Surin (สุรินทร์), Nong Bua Lamphu (หนองบัวลำภู), Amnat Charoen (อำนาจเจริญ), Udon Thani (อุดรธานี), and Ubon Ratchathani (อุบลราชธานี).

In addition, the martial law is still being enforced in some districts in the provinces of Kanchanaburi (กาญจนบุรี), Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี), Trat (ตราด), Tak (ตาก), Nan (น่าน), Prachuap Khiri Khan (ประจวบคีรีขันธ์), Phayao (พะเยา), Phitsanulok (พิษณุโลก), Phetchaburi (เพชรบุรี), Ratchaburi (ราชบุรี), Ranong (ระนอง), Satun (สตูล), Songkhla (สงขลา), Sa Kaew (สระแก้ว), and Uttaradit (อุตรดิตถ์).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

No consideration has yet been made on the lifting of martial law in the remaining areas

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์) is confident of Saturday's lifting of Martial Law in some areas including Bangkok and its vicinity. In the meantime he indicates that no consideration has yet been made on the lifting of martial law in the remaining areas.

Gen. Surayud said the government had been conferring with the Council for National Security over the lifting of martial law in various areas including Bangkok and peripheral provinces for a long time. He said the slow declaration of the lifting resulted only from administrative mistakes. He said that from discussions between the government and the CNS over security, he is confident that orderliness will be able to be maintained in Bangkok. He added that soldiers will still be stationed at important locations. The prime minister said there is currently no need to find any other law to replace the lifted martial law, but incidents that affect security may trigger the seeking of such measures to help provide control.

When asked about his earlier comment that within 1-2 months there might be a disorderly situation, the prime minister said that even without martial law there are other laws that can be enforced and the martial law is only for border areas and important locations.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 January 2007

[Jai Dee]

Military backed gov still keeping 15th and 27th Martial Law Acts

The government insisted to keep the 15th and 27th Act under Martial Law due to domestic and forreign security concerns. as political movements are stbecause of recently political movements.

Army Capt. Yongyut Mayalarb, spokesman to the Prime Minister's Office, said various political parties have suggested the government to abolish the 15th and 27th Acts, which give people the authority to converge.

However Capt Yongyut said the government will have to dicuss the issue with the Council for National Security (CNS) before a resolution is made.

Capt Yongyuth said that maintaining 15th and 27th Acts are to ensure political stability.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 January 2007

[John K]

Military backed gov still keeping 15th and 27th Martial Law Acts

The government insisted to keep the 15th and 27th Act under Martial Law due to domestic and forreign security concerns. as political movements are stbecause of recently political movements.

Army Capt. Yongyut Mayalarb, spokesman to the Prime Minister's Office, said various political parties have suggested the government to abolish the 15th and 27th Acts, which give people the authority to converge.

However Capt Yongyut said the government will have to dicuss the issue with the Council for National Security (CNS) before a resolution is made.

Capt Yongyuth said that maintaining 15th and 27th Acts are to ensure political stability.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 January 2007

15 and 27 would be?