"The ban is to be amended in order to encourage public participation," Surayud said.

But he warned that mass protests were still prohibited and any party and civic activities could only be held outside public areas.

He said his government wanted to solicit views in regard to the drafting of the new charter, the revamping of the justice system and enhancement of the education system to incorporate ethical values.

At yesterday's Cabinet meeting, participants from security agencies proposed that while the ban on political gatherings was eased, martial law should be retained for a while in order to prevent any attempt to incite confusion, according to a source. "They have found that certain groups of people are trying to abuse the government's eased stance by putting pressure on it," said the source.

The PM met representatives from security agencies in the afternoon but the lifting of martial law was not on the agenda, Defence Minister General Boonrawd Somtas said.

The ban on political gatherings has been enforced in conjunction with martial law since September 20, one day after the military coup.

Under Announcement No 7 by the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR), a group of five or more people is prohibited from organising a meeting or gathering for political purposes as long as martial law is in effect. Offenders face a jail term of up to six months and a fine of up to Bt10,000.

Because the country is under military rule, the ban is being enforced as an act of Parliament.

The proposed amendments to the ban would allow political functions, including party meetings and conventions, to take place in private venues such as a convention centre or university auditorium.

But political analysts said easing of the ban did not imply the relaxation of martial law.

Any changes to the ban would have to be endorsed by the Council for National Security before coming into effect. The National Legislative Assembly would then push for the proposed amendments to be passed and replace CDR Announcement No 7.

The Democrat Party welcomed the easing of the ban, saying it was a timely move that would allow the party to resume some of its normal functions.

"The amended ban will allow party executives to manage routine affairs and map out action plans that are not related to campaigning," party campaign spokesman Thepthai Senpong said.

In a related development, leading figures from the Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday met to discuss the party's next move in the wake of the Cabinet's relaxation of the ban.

Party deputy spokesman Pimuk Simaroj, said Thai Rak Thai would convene a general meeting to select the new executive board - to replace the one that ceased to exist after party leader Thaksin Shinawatra resigned.