Thai interim legislature removes ban on political gatherings

Bangkok, Nov 9 (UNI) Thailand's National Legislative Assembly (NLA) set up after the 19 September coup d'etat voted this evening to lift the ban on political assembly imposed after the military take-over.

The revoking of the restriction on public political activity was expected after Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his cabinet recommended this to the NLA.

There is also a strong possibility that martial law in the country since the military take-over would be lifted ahead of the 18-19 November APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit in Hanoi, Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtat said.

''It (martial law) is likely to be lifted before the premier travels to join the APEC summit in Hanoi November 18-19 in order not to create uneasy feeling among other countries,'' the defence minister said.

According to the minister, the issue of lifting martial law was discussed between the prime minister and Council for National Security (CNS) Chairman Sonthi Boonyartakalin who led the ouster of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

UNI XC DKA GC2055