POMC:Int'l community understands martial law imposition in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 21 (TNA) - The Peace and Order Maintainng Command (POMC) says that the international community appears to understand why martial law has been nationwide imposed in Thailand, as of 3am of May 20. Royal Thai Army Deputy Spokeswoman Colonel Sirichan Nga-thong told a press conference on Wednesday that foreign countries expressed their concerns over Thailand's prolonged political deadlock but positively responded to the the nationwide martial law enforcement, declared by Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Colonel Sirichan affirmed that the martial law has been legally imposed within the constitutional framework, aimed mainly to restore peace and order for the sake of national stability. According to the deputy spokeswoman, only some articles of the martial law has been enforced to uphold civil rights of people who can carry on their daily ways of life as usual. Meanwhile, border trade and cross-border travels have also continued as usual, apparently unaffected by the nationwide martial law imposition. In Si Sa Ket Province in the Thai Northeast, bordering Cambodia, traders and people of both sides, as well as international tourists have continued crossing the common border at Chong Sa Ngum Permanent Checkpoint in Phu Sing District as usual so far. Border trade and cross-border travels have also been normal at checkpoints along the Thai-Myanmar frontiers, including those in Thailand's northwestern Tak Province, through the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge. According to Thai customs chief in Tak's Mae Sot District, Pongthep Buasap, border trade between Thailand and Myanmar has expanded by up to 30 per cent in the 2014 fiscal year so far, starting from October 1, 2013, as 120 trucks have crossed the common border daily on the average basis to deliver goods to the Myanmar market. (TNA)