Speaking after a meeting of the Council for National Security, Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said no additional special laws were needed to address government security concerns.

"We discussed whether we had made full use of martial law. We have a lot of power in all aspects but we haven't used it," Sonthi said.

If there was more violence the CNS would have to fully exercise its extensive power allowed by martial law, he said.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has admitted that a new round of bomb attacks may be imminent after the New Year's Eve blasts in central Bangkok. On Monday night, he had a meeting with security officials, where he asked if more legislation was needed to help prevent further violence, according to a source.

Sonthi also said yesterday the CNS would retain the military junta's Announcements No 15 and 27 for some time. These orders ban gatherings and activities by political parties.

In a related development, Council of State secretary-general Pornthip Jala said yesterday no fresh security laws would be issued in the wake of the New Year's Eve bombings, as the government could exercise extra powers under the Emergency Decree, if necessary.

Pornthip, after attending yesterday's Cabinet meeting, said the government did not need to issue a new law because the Executive Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations gave it full power to prevent or handle situations in the event of terrorism attacks.

If the prime minister wanted to declare a state of emergency in any region, he was empowered to do so right away, she said.