Council For National Security Insists On Maintaining Martial Law

[Jai Dee]

CNS insists to maintain martial law

ACM Chalit Pukphasuk, deputy chairman of the Council for National Security, said the martial law would not be lifted soon due to existing "undercurrents".

Chalit, air force chief, said undercurrents became a main reason for the CNS to decide to maintain the martial law.

He was responding to the Thai Rak Thai Party's criticism that the CNS cited undercurrents just to maintain the martial law.

Source: The Nation - 30 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Thai gov't reaffirms martial law to be lifted soon

In a bid to further restore confidence among foreign countries towards Thailand's political situation, Thai Ministry of Defense has explained to diplomats here that the martial law imposed since the Sept. 19 coup will be lifted as soon as "the undercurrent political situation" recedes, Thai News Agency reported Tuesday.

"Undercurrent political situation" is the term the interim government uses to refer to secretive political activities in support of the former government led by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thai Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtat invited representatives of 20 embassies to a discussion and clarification of the ministry's policy on Monday, the News Agency said, adding that the ministry 's performance will be changed in accordance with the security alteration, so as to ensure a political reform.

As for the insurgency in Thailand's southern border provinces, the defense minister said that cooperation from all sectors of Thai society is being sought.

Source: Xinhua - 7 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Defense Minister indicates that the revocation of martial law is up to CNS chairman

Minister of Defense Gen.Boonrawd Somtat (บุญรอด สมทัศน์) indicated that the revocation of martial law is up to the Council for National Security (CNS) Chairman.

In response to news reporting that the lifting of martial law will be settled before the prime minister goes to Vietnam to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, Gen.Boonrawd said that the government is waiting to hear from Gen.Sonthi Boonyaratkalin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน), CNS chairman.

Tomorrow, Gen.Sonthi is going to meet the prime minister to decide which area the martial law should be lifted. The minister also explained that CNS has a duty to look after security while the government is responsible for administration, typical to past governments.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

CNS to give details on martial law lifting Tuesday: defence minister

Defence Minister Gen Boonrawd Somtas said Monday that the Council for National Security would provide details on Tuesday how the martial law would be lifted.

Earlier, Boonrawd said the martial law would be lifted only in certain provinces.

"Please wait and see tomorrow [Tuesday] how the details of the martial law lifting will be," Boonrawd said.

Source: The Nation - 13 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

No cabinet decison on martial laws : NSC

A hope that the government will lift martial laws is dashed on Tuesday as the issue is not submitted to the cabinet for consideration, a senior security chief said.

National Security Council's chief Prakit Pajonpatjanuek said the cabinet did not consider the issue and did not talk anything about the possibility of lifting the martial laws.

Earlier Defence Minister Gen Boonrawd Somtas said the cabinet will consider proposed lifting the martial laws in their cabinet weekly meeting Tuesday. The laws are expected to be lifted in some areas a few days before Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont travels to Vietnam to attend Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit on Sunday.

Prakit told reporters that it is Gen Boonrawd's own understanding that the issue would be submitted for cabinet consideration on Tuesday.

Source: The Nation - 14 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM declared no precise time to lift martial law

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he has not determined the exact time to lift the martial law yet, but he is confident that this issue would not be discussed at the APEC Summit in Vietnam on November 17th to 19th.

Gen. Surayud said the Cabinet has no resolution to withdraw the martial law at this time since Defence Minister Boonrawd Somthas has not report the result of the Council for National Security (CNS) meeting to the Cabinet meeting yet.

Prime Minister Surayud also revealed about the meeting with the American Ambassador to Thailand yesterday, saying the American Ambassador insisted that the CNS’s movement to seize the national administrative power was not compatible with the democratic framework.

The Premier concluded that the power to lift the martial law belongs to the government, while the CNS is responsible with the security issue and the decision to lift the martial law has nothing to do with political movement. He personally believes the decision to abrogate the martial law should be considered carefully.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 November 2006