Martial law will remain in some parts of the country

Thailand's interim government has voted to accept a recommendation by the military leaders to partially lift martial law, the defence minister says.

Boonrawd Somtat said the emergency powers would be lifted in 41 of the country's 76 provinces, as suggested by coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Martial law would remain in areas still considered unstable, mostly along the borders, Mr Boonrawd added.

Martial law has been in place since the coup on 19 September.

The decision now goes to King Bhumibol Adulyadej for his final approval.

Mr Boonrawd told reporters that martial law would remain in 35 provinces "due to both domestic and foreign security concerns, as well as concerns about drug smuggling and illegal immigration".

"Martial law will remain in some provinces on the borders and some areas in the interior of the country," he added.

He said the emergency powers would be lifted in Bangkok and nearby provinces "because we care about the international community and tourism".

But they will remain in Chiang Mai and two other towns in northern Thailand, where support for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is strongest.

'Positive impact'

Coup leader and army commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin recommended on Monday that martial law should be lifted in parts of the country.

"Everybody wants to see peace and order in our country and the lifting of martial law will have a positive political and psychological impact," he said.

The new government has struggled to gain international recognition, not least because of its refusal to end the martial law, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says.

But in practice few Thais have felt the restrictions, which have been applied sparingly, and there have been relatively few protests against martial law.

The fact martial law remains in place in pro-Thaksin areas suggests the military is still nervous about a possible come-back by the former prime minister, who has been touring a number of nearby countries recently in a blaze of media publicity, our correspondent adds.

BBC News

List of 35 provinces to remain under martial law

The government Tuesday agrees to lift martial law in 41 provinces including Bangkok. The law will remain in 35 provinces due to domestic and foreign security concerns. The following are a list of the 35 provinces;

1. Kanchanaburi - Only Tambon Ban Kao in Muang district, Dan Makham Tia, Thong Phaphoom, Sai Yoke, Sri Sawasdi and Sangkhla Buri districts.

2. Kamphaengphet

3. Khonkaen

4. Chanthaburi - Only Khlung, Pong Namron and Soi Dao districts.

5. Chiang Rai

6. Chiang Mai

7. Chaiyaphum

8. Trat - Only Muang, Klong Yai and Bor Rai districts, Koh Kood Sub-District and Koh Chang Sub-district

9. Tak - Only Wang Chao Sub-District, Muang, Ta Songyang, Phop Phra, Mae Ramad, Mae Sod and Umphang districts.

10. Narathiwat

11. Nakhon Ratchasima

12. Nan only Chalermprakiet, Tung Chang, Boe Klue, Mae Rim, Song Kwae and Pua districts

13. Buri Ram

14. Prachub Khiri Khan : only Tambon Ao Noi, Khoe Lak, Klong Wan and Huay Sai, Muang district, Tambon Khao Larn, Na Hu Kwang, Huay Yang and Ang Thong; Tap Sakae district, Tambon Sam Kratai and Tambon Hat Kam; Kuiburi district Tambon Kao Chao; Pranburi district, Tambon Chai Kasem, Tambon Tong Mongkhon and Tambon Ronthong; Bang Sapan district; Tambon Changrak and Tambon Chaiyarat; Bangsaphan Noi district, Tambon Hueysatyai, Hua Hin district, Tambon Raikao, Tambon Salalai and Tambon Silaloi, Samroi Yod district

15. Pattani

16. Payao; only at Chaingkham district and Puchang sub district, Chiang Kham district

17. Phitsanulok; only Chatrakarn and Nakhon Thai districts

18. Phetchaburi; only Kaengkracharn and Nongyaplong districts

19. Mae Hong Son; only Muang, Khun Yuam, Bangpama, Pai, Mae Lanoi, Mae Sarieng and Sobmoei districts

20. Maha Sarakham

21. Yala

22. Ratchaburi; only Baan Ka and Suen Phueng districts

23. Roi Et

24. Ranong; only Tambon Paknam, Sai Daeng and Rachakrud; Muang, Kapor, Kraburi and Laoon districts

25. Loei

26. Si Sa Ket

27. Satun; only Tambon Petree, Kammalang, Klongkut and Puyu; Muang Satun, Khuandone, Ta Pae and La Ngu districts

28. Songkhla; only Jana, Thepa, Natawee, Sadao and Saba Yoi districts

29, Sa Kaew; only Klong Hat, Tapraya, Wang Namyen, Wattana Nakhon, Aranyaprathet, Kok Sung sub district, Ta Phraya district and Wang Somboon sub district; Wang Namyen district  

30. Surin

31. Nongbualamphu

32. Udorn Thani

33. Uttaradit - Only Fak Tha, Ban Khok and Nam Pad districts.

34. Ubon Ratchathani

35. Amnatcharoen

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