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Published on October 13, 2007

Chiang Mai and Buri Ram, the political strongholds of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his trusted aide Newin Chidchob respectively, will also remain under martial law.

The council decided to lift martial law in 11 out of 35 provinces, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin told a press conference after chairing its meeting that lasted about an hour.

The provinces where martial law will be lifted are Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Kamphaeng Phet, Nong Bua Lamphun, and Udon Thani, according to Sonthi.

The council also decided

to place Nong Khai,

Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan under martial law, he said.

Sonthi, who is in charge of security affairs, said security rather than political factors were taken into consideration, such as an influx of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs in the upper regions of the country.

He said he did not think martial law would affect election campaigning in those provinces as long as politicians did not violate the electoral law.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he would ask the Cabinet to approve to lifting martial law in the 11 provinces.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday voiced support for the lifting of martial law.

However, he believed the government should be able to explain to the world community why the law was retained in certain areas.

 Piyanart Srivalo,

 Yossawadee Hongthong

 The Nation