Army chief Udomdej Sitabutr has said martial law is still necessary to maintain order, dashing hopes the freedom-curbing law might be lifted any time soon.
Martial law does not affect people's life, says Gen Udomdej.
‘’Sometimes we have to impose this special law. If lifted, chaos and unrest will likely erupt. I hope everybody understands this. The law has not affected people’s everyday life. We can see the (political) situation now is far different from that in the past 6-7 months,’’ Gen Udomdej said on Friday.
He made his remark following repeated calls for the lift of martial law in some areas.
Gen Udomdej, also deputy defence minister, said the military top brass understood the reasons behind the calls, but said it was necessary that authorities be able to choose the most suitable measure to keep the country in order.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, also chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has done his best to move the country forward, said the army chief.
He appealed for the public to give the government and the NCPO time to prove their worth.
The 1914 law grants the military full powers to summon officials and individuals for investigation or detain anyone.
It can also search and seize individuals or items, order compulsory military service and forced labour, prohibit assemblies, media coverage, advertising, public transport and destroy an enemy's dwellings and build army barracks anywhere.