Thailand's junta lifts curfew
Thailand's military government has fully lifted the nationwide curfew it imposed after seizing power last month, saying there is no threat of violence and that tourism needs to be revived, the Guardian reported.
Political protests and criticism of the coup remain banned by the junta, which said a return to elected civilian rule could not be expected for at least 15 months.
The curfew had earlier been reduced to four hours from seven hours and lifted in several resort areas popular with tourists after complaints from the tourism industry over the financial damage it was causing.
"The overall situation in other areas of the country has been resolved and there is no tendency toward possible violence," said a statement from the military junta.
"Therefore, in order to relieve and mitigate the impact on people's daily lives, and to boost tourism by Thais and foreigners, the curfew order is being cancelled in the rest of the country."
In an address before the curfew announcement, coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha briskly listed the junta's achievements including the seizure of weapons linked to political unrest and scores of reconciliation meetings among rival political camp. He outlined the military regime's economic and other plans.
"There are still many problems left," he said. "Please give us time to deal with these problems."