Thailand’s acting Prime Minister is pleading with the military to act peacefully and within the constitution following its declaration of martial law.  The military claims it is not taking power through a coup, but intends to “preserve order and bring back peacefulness” after months of political unrest.

“This action of the Royal Thai Army must be under the principles of constitution and democracy with the king as head of state,” read the statement from PM Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan.  He later said he was “talking to the army chief's side and there are many pressing issues we need to discuss, including elections and reform”.

Martial law effectively ended any chance of hoped-for elections in July.  Niwatthamrong wants the Election Commission to set an election date of 3 August, assuming it still has the authority to do that.

Human Rights Watch called Thailand’s martial law a “de facto coup”, while the US State Department said it expects the army to ensure that this is a temporary, peacekeeping action.  It could be that the military is only making everything worse.

The anti-government protesters say martial law changes nothing, and they will continue to press for democratically elected government to be replaced by an appointed council of “good people” who support their conservative and royalist policies.  The Red Shirts, who supported the elected government, had this warning:

“If there is an overthrow of democracy or if (military leader) General Prayuth goes beyond martial law and stages a coup or overthrows the constitution,” said leader Jatuporn Prompan, “the Red Shirts have no other choice, because we have to protect democracy.  We will fight to the end.”