There were also calls for a full end to military rule.

The Cabinet decided on Tuesday to end martial law in 41 provinces, including Bangkok. The decision is subject to endorsement from His Majesty the King.

"The partial end of martial law will likely pose a hurdle for national reconciliation because people in 35 provinces feel like they are being discriminated against," said Thai Rak Thai Party executive Chamlong Khrutkhuntod.

Chamlong said the authorities had failed to justify the continued enforcement of martial law in areas other than the deep South.

He said the interim government might have received misleading intelligence about anti-coup activities.

"My party has no involvement in subversion," he said, claiming opponents tried to portray the Thai Rak Thai in a bad light to sow divisiveness among constituents suffering from curbs to basic rights.

Party spokesman Sita Divari said security authorities appeared paranoid and had gone overboard in linking his party to anti-coup undercurrents.

Sita questioned coup leaders who blamed their pitfalls on his party.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa welcomed the end of martial law in Bangkok and major parts of the country.

"For areas still under martial law, police and security officials should become proactive in neutralising anti-coup activities," he said, expressing a desire for the resumption of normalcy nationwide.

Banharn suggested deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should remain exiled in London, and not Beijing. This will quell speculation of a political comeback.

Residents living under martial law had mixed views.

Kamphaeng Phet activist Suwat Watanasiri foresaw no obstacles to his livelihood.

Suwat understood the continuation of martial law because anti-coup activities had been detected.

Radio talk-show host Pathom-pop Prakarnchainakorn said martial law was for troublemakers and not law-abiding citizens.

Roi Et local administrator Chaiyos Chaiphruek from Tambon Ummao said constituents were more worried about paddy prices than martial law.

Chaiyos said authorities might have overreacted to anti-coup activities which he claimed had virtually no support from villagers.

Such activities were blown out of proportion and those still involved in politics were paid to be, he added.

In Chiang Mai, leading figures called for an immediate end to martial law.

Somchai Preechasilapakul, dean of Chiang Mai University law school, saw no reason for martial law.

Authorities argued Chiang Mai was a transit point for drugs, but this could be dealt with by regular laws, he said. The airing of political views should be encouraged, not suppressed, he added.

Former Chiang Mai MP Pornchai Atthapreeyangkul said he had found anti-coup propaganda from unknown sources, but he denied involvement.

"Chiang Mai is in its tourist high season and martial law undermines visitors' confidence," he said.

In Nong Bua Lamphu, Tambon Kudjik kamnan Jakrapong Sonasaeng was surprised martial law was still being enforced. There is no political activity in his village, he said.

"My province has reported no suspicious activity and is located away from border areas, while Nong Khai is directly opposite Laos but has had martial law lifted," he said.