"The situation is not at a stable stage yet," Boonrawd told military attaches from many countries including the United States, France and Russia. "The government, on the other hand, is being pressured by foreign states."

Many of the envoys said they were concerned with the restrictions on civil liberties, according to Thai officials who observed the meeting.

Vinai Pattiyakul, permanent secretary for defence, told them the government was "speedily trying to resolve this situation and trying to lift martial law as soon as possible".

"We understand that the word martial law, and the use of martial law, is very much disliked by the international communities," Vinai said. "So in this regard, we will try to resolve this situation as soon as possible."

With regard to the insurgency in the South, Boonrawd said the restructuring of security forces in five southern provinces would be completed in two months.

However, he warned the international community not to expect immediate results in the area bordering Malaysia where nearly 1,800 people have been killed in separatist violence and other unrest since January 2004.

"It is an internal problem and we will try to resolve it ourselves," he added.

Boonrawd also reassured the attaches that all peacekeeping missions Thailand had committed to would be upheld and that the military remained committed to next year's deadline of seeing a general election take place and the democratic process and institutions restored.