Gaybutton Posted October 16, 2006 Posted October 16, 2006 BANGKOK, Oct 16 (TNA) Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the Cabinet will discuss during its weekly meeting this Tuesday whether to lift the martial law or not. Martial law has been in effect since the military seizure of power in September 19, through which Gen. Surayud was installed as prime minister. Gen. Surayud spoke to reporters upon returning from a one-day official visit to Cambodia on Sunday. The Prime Minister acknowledged that he discussed the martial law issue with Army Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin who also heads the Council for National Security which retains ultimate power over the country at the moment by virtue of its imposition of martial law. Gen. Surayud said that martial law would be on agenda of the weekly Cabinet meeting but declined to discuss the issue any further until after the Cabinet meeting since, he said, this is a matter of collective decision. Right activists, academics and varied civil society organisations have called for the revocation of martial law banning political gatherings and activities, claiming that the law violated the constitution and even the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Gen.Surayud said earlier that the government did not ignore the public concern over this subject but it needs some certain time to revoke the law. (TNA)-E007 Quote
