Thai military lifts nationwide curfew imposed after coup

Junta cites lack of violence and need to boost tourism as reason for lifting restriction on late night movement.

Workers hold placards during a celebration to boost tourism on Khaosan Road in Bangkok on June 13, 2014. Chaiwat Subprasom / Reuters

BANGKOK // Thailand’s military junta lifted a nationwide curfew yesterday, citing the absence of any violence and the need to support the country’s tourism sector.

It was also announced an interim government could be in place within three months.

“As the situation has improved and there have been no incidents that can lead to violence, and in order to improve tourism the curfew will be lifted in all remaining provinces,” the ruling military council said in a televised announcement.

The curfew had been in place from midnight to 4am in 47 provinces, including the capital Bangkok.

The curfew had been imposed nationwide following the May 22 coup by the military, but was lifted in 30 provinces, which include the country’s main tourist spots, over the past week.

The junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order, has curtailed civil liberties by banning public protests, arresting demonstrators, censoring media and temporarily detaining hundreds of critics for questioning.

But the generals have also embarked on an extensive PR campaign, emphasising the need to return happiness to the people.

On Thursday authorities announced that Thais would be able to watch the whole of the football World Cup on television at home for free, thanks to an intervention by the junta.

The lifting of the curfew would also allow Thais to watch the tournament in bars and restaurants without fear of arrest.

The army overthrew a government elected three years ago following six months of anti-government protests and political turmoil that left at least 28 people dead and the government paralysed.

The army chief, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, who said the coup was necessary to restore order, announced yesterday that an interim government would be set up by September, offering the most specific timeline yet on a possible transfer of power.

“A government will likely be set up in August or early September,” Gen Prayuth told a meeting of civil servants.

“When we have a government, we will move forward. Then the reform council can begin.”

A reform council, given the task of instituting political reforms in the deeply divided country, would include rivals from Thailand’s long-running political conflict.

Gen Prayuth had said it could take more than a year for new elections to be held because peace and reforms must be achieved first.

He also announced he was considering a US$93 billion (Dh341.5 bn) plan to build more rail lines and other infrastructure, adding more than $30bn to a cancelled project of the former government.

“I have not approved it yet. We have to ask the budget bureau how much money we have.”

In March, a court struck down a $62bn infrastructure plan as unconstitutional and said it would raise public debt to unacceptable levels.

* Reuters and Associated Press