Thailand's junta lifts curfew throughout country

Thailand's military government has fully lifted a curfew it imposed nationwide after seizing power last month, saying there is no threat of violence.
The measure, effective immediately, was announced today night over all domestic television stations.
Political protests and criticism of the coup, however, remain banned by the junta, which said a return to elected civilian rule cannot be expected for at least 15 months.
In a televised address before the curfew announcement, army commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha briskly listed the junta's achievements including the seizure of weapons linked to political unrest and its plans, especially on the economic front.

"There are still many problems left," he acknowledged. "Please give us time to deal with these problems."
Prayuth told civil servants earlier today that a temporary constitution would be drafted and an interim government installed in about three months, in his most specific timeline yet on a possible transfer of power after last month's coup.

He has said it could take more than a year after that for elections to be held because peace and reforms must be achieved first in the deeply divided country.
"A government will likely be set up in August or early September," Prayuth said. "When ... We have a government, we will move forward. Then the reform council can begin."

The curfew that ended today had already been reduced to four hours from seven hours, and had been 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 in the country has been resolved and there is no tendency of causes of possible violence. 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," the junta said in a statement.

Among the areas where the curfew had remained in effect was the capital, Bangkok, because of its political volatility. Until the May 22 coup, it had been the scene of a half a year of anti-government protests and political turmoil that left at least 28 people dead and the government paralysed.
The government had been elected by a majority of voters three years ago. Praying has justified the coup as necessary to restore order.