Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the cabinet has not yet
discussed the lifting of martial law at its weekly meeting yesterday because "it
is not an urgent matter", though there had been signs showing that a decision
addressing the issue would be made this week.
The lifting of martial law is not the top priority of the government, Surayud
was quoted by news network The Nation as saying on Tuesday, as U.S. Ambassador
to Thailand, Ralph Boyce had told the Thai premier that the topic would not be
discussed at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, which is to be
held this Sunday in Vietnam and attended by President George W. Bush.
"I don't think keeping the martial law will have any impact on Thailand's
standing at APEC," said Surayud.
Martial law has been imposed over the country shortly after the Sept. 19
coup, which ousted then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Despite calls from
many countries that Thailand should lift the law, the military ruling authority
Council for National Security (CNS), which installed the Surayud-led interim
government, has decided to maintain it, citing domestic political undercurrents
threatening the state stability.
Surayud said the cabinet has to wait for the CNS's advice on the issue to
make a decision. But he gave no clue on when the process might end.
On Monday, Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtas said that he believed a decision
would be made within days, before Surayud attends the APEC summit.
