The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)on Saturday defended the need to continue martial law and the use of the Military Court in the wake of fresh criticism from the European Union.
"The NCPO understands the concern but would like [the EU] to consider the situation in Thailand which differs from other countries and thus needs a different approach in tackling the problem," council spokesman Winthai Suwaree said.
The 28-country European bloc on Friday renewed its call to limit the use of the court and end martial law having been enforced since May 20 last year, two days prior to the decision by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the army chief at the time, to seize power from the government.
Under martial law, people have been arrested without warrants, detained arbitrarily for seven days without access to lawyers and refused bail without sufficient legal reasons, said a recent report by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.
There is no opportunity to appeal against procedural rulings, convictions or sentencing in the Military Court's single-tier system, it added.
Col Winthai said soldiers had acted in line with the judicial process in detaining suspects in the Military Court. The actions applied to those facing charges related to security and posing dangers to disrupt law and order.
As the situation remains "sensitive", martial law was still necessary to prevent possible violence, he said. It was mainly used to ban political gatherings and help authorities to quickly arrest suspects, the spokesman added.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said the latest statement from the EU was in line with its previous position.
Thailand is proceeding toward elections as stipulated in the military administration's roadmap, including reforms and restoration of democracy.
Prime Minister Prayut has said that new elections could be called later this year or early next year.