Martial law in Thailand could be lifted before the end of the year, coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has said.
General Sonthi, who led a military coup that overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on September 19th, said in an interview aired on CNN television today that he wanted a return to normalcy as soon as possible.
Pressed repeatedly for a timetable, he said "when possible", "soon" and finally "yes" when asked if martial law would be lifted before the end of the year.
Martial law has not been enforced in any visible way, but coup leaders have previously said it was necessary because of "undercurrents" stirred by supporters of the ousted Mr Thaksin.
Thailand's military took over in a bloodless coup after accusing Mr Thaksin's administration of rampant corruption and abuse of the law.
The country is now ruled by a military-appointed government headed by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.