(VOVworld) – The King of Thailand approved on Wednesday a request from Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to cancel martial law.
 |
| Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. (Photo: Reuters) |
Thailand’s military imposed martial law on May 20, 2014, two days before the Thai army staged a coup to topple the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The ending of martial law has been urged by the Thai people and the world, particularly foreign investors. Prayuth, Head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), announced a new order which includes 14 articles aimed at protecting national peace and stability. Under the new order, military personnel have the right to seize assets and detain suspects up to seven days.
Prayuth’s order is based on Article 44 of the 2014 interim constitution, which allows the head of the NCPO to implement legislative, executive, and judicial acts to repress activities sabotaging reform or national security. The head of the NCPO can issue other orders, as well, to deal with security threats.