Army declares martial law

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday declared martial law that covers the entire nation.

Martial law took effect at 3am.

Gen Prayuth stated that the declaration was necessary to prevent people from committing violence and to return peace and order to the country.

Following the martial law declaration, the Army chief issued an order to set up the peacekeeping command to replace the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order. The Army chief is the chief of the peacekeeping command.

The peacekeeping command would have the authority to summon people to be interrogated and to hand over documents and evidence to the authorities.

The order, which appointed the command, stated that all government agencies that are parts of the structure of the CAPO, except the Army, Navy and Air Force, must return to their agencies and their normal activities.

The peacekeeping command also has the authority to demand the Internal Security Operations Command, the Royal Thai Police, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Interior Ministry and other government agencies to support their personnel to support the operations of the command.

Reacting to the martial law declaration, Jatuporn Prompan announced that the red shirts would continue their rally at the Utthayan Road.

The People’s Democratic Reform Committee announced that it would cancel a planned march Tuesday because of the martial law.

Military commanders in troubled areas have the authority to enforce martial law, if it looks like war or riots may break out.

Martial law gives military officers the power to:

– Take action against war or riots;

– Use arms to suppress unrest;

– Search, confiscate or occupy any premises or vehicles;

– Censor information;

– Block, search and control postal services;

– Activate the military court to judge on crimes within the area under

martial law;

– Mobilise civilians to help the military;

– Procure resources such as vehicles or logistical materials to support

military operations;

– Prohibit public gatherings, publications, broadcasting, transport,

communication, travel, the movement of people or any action that the

Defence Ministry deems necessary;

– Enforce curfews;

– Destroy, remove or adjust any premise or location for the purpose of

military operations;

– Arrest and detain suspects for a maximum of seven days.

– People are not entitled to any compensation for damage incurred during such military operations;

– Martial law can only be ended with a Royal Decree.

— Phuket Gazette Editors