Thailand's Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy
yesterday announced a ban on political parties meeting and barred the
establishment of new parties.
"Meetings
of political parties and conducting of any other political activities are
banned," said a statement from the council read on national television.
The
statement said the move is necessary to maintain law and order.
It
was the latest announcement after the council imposed martial law on a
nationwide basis, and repealed the 1997 Constitution when they affected a
bloodless coup d'etat Tuesday night to overthrow caretaker Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra.
It
also bans gatherings by five or more people and introduces restrictions on the
media.
The
media has been asked for "cooperation" to report the news "straightforwardly"
and "constructively" to restore national unity.
