Thai military bans political party meetings
{{date|September 21, 2006}}
[[Image:LocationThailand.png|thumb|Location of [[Thailand]]]]
[[Thailand|Thailand's]] [[w:Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy|Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy]] (CDRM) on Thursday banned [[w:political party|political party]] meetings of more than five people on national television. Moreover there is also a ban on new political parties from being formed. However political parties still have the right to exist. The military also promised that civilian rule will be restored within a year. Meanwhile the military is taking hold of all duties and responsibilities of the parliament.

On Tuesday the coup leaders suspended the 1997 constitution and imposed [[w:martial law|martial law]]. This prompted concern over the international level. The U.S. warned on Thursday that any ban on political parties would be a 'setback' for democracy.

The army issued the following statement shown on national television:

{{quotation|To ensure the constitutional monarchy is functioning after reforms have been completed, the Council for Democratic Reform Under Constitutional Monarchy has ordered political parties to halt all meetings and political activities.|Thai military spokesman}}

Thai citizens returned to work on Thursday ever since Tuesday's coup. [[w:Bangkok|Bangkok]] appeared to have returned to normal even though there were tanks on the streets as well as soldiers manning major traffic checkpoints.

== Related news ==

*{{wikinews|title=Thai PM Thaksin ousted by coup|date=September 19, 2006}}

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5367394.stm
|title=Thaksin to take 'deserved rest'
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=September 21, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5366908.stm
|title=Thai leaders ban political action
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=September 21, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1016586
|title=Thai leaders ban political parties
|author=
|pub=Caymanian Compass
|date=September 21, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=thailandcoup&slug=Thai+royalty+backs+coup&id=93578&callid=1
|title=Thai military bans political meetings
|author=
|pub=NDTV India
|date=September 21, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=221196
|title=Military Allows Political Parties To Exist
|author=
|pub=Bernama
|date=September 21, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-09/22/content_5122211.htm
|title=U.S. warns Thailand against restricting political activities
|author=
|pub=Xinhua
|date=September 21, 2006 }}

{{Publish}}
{{Archive-unreviewed}}

[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Thailand]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Thaksin Shinawatra]]
[[Category:Constitution of Thailand]]
Location of Thailand
Thailand's Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) on Thursday banned political party meetings of more than five people on national television. Moreover there is also a ban on new political parties from being formed. However political parties still have the right to exist. The military also promised that civilian rule will be restored within a year. Meanwhile the military is taking hold of all duties and responsibilities of the parliament.

On Tuesday the coup leaders suspended the 1997 constitution and imposed martial law. This prompted concern over the international level. The U.S. warned on Thursday that any ban on political parties would be a 'setback' for democracy.

The army issued the following statement shown on national television:

Thai citizens returned to work on Thursday ever since Tuesday's coup. Bangkok appeared to have returned to normal even though there were tanks on the streets as well as soldiers manning major traffic checkpoints.

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Politics and conflicts Thailand Asia Thaksin Shinawatra Constitution of Thailand