Thai junta chief asks king to lift martial law

Thailand's junta chief said Tuesday he has asked King Bhumibol Adulyadej for permission to end martial law, but added that an executive order retaining sweeping powers for the military would soon replace it.
"I have already submitted permission to the king to lift martial law. The king will have to approve whether martial law is lifted," Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha told reporters.
"A new order (to replace martial law) will be issued very soon," he added.
Thailand has been under increased pressure from western allies, businesses and tour operators to lift martial law which was decreed shortly before the military seized power in a coup last May.
Under the law the army has been able to prosecute those accused of national security and royal defamation offences in military courts with no right of appeal.
The media has also been muzzled while political gatherings of more than five people have been banned.