The military junta running Thailand has lifted the nationwide curfew it imposed last month after seizing power following months of political turmoil.<\/p>\n
The 22:00-05:00 curfew, imposed by Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, had already ended in most of the country.<\/p>\n
Friday’s TV announcement said the decision to lift it altogether was taken amid an “improved” situation “and in order to improve tourism”.<\/p>\n
The coup followed protests to oust the government of PM Yingluck Shinawatra.<\/p>\n
At least 28 people were killed and several hundred injured during the unrest.<\/p>\n
The army’s removal of the elected government drew widespread international criticism.<\/p>\n
The military has since cracked down on dissent, detaining hundreds of potential opponents and releasing them with warnings about their future behaviour.<\/p>\n
It has also embarked on a “happiness campaign” in an attempt to subdue opposition to the coup, which has seen a number of policy gimmicks, such as free haircuts, concerts and World Cup match screenings.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, corruption investigators have widened their inquiry into Ms Yingluck, investigating her private assets.<\/p>\n
The National Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation is connected to a rice-subsidy scheme, in which the government bought rice from farmers at above-market prices to boost rural incomes.<\/p>\n
The commission had already indicted Ms Yingluck over charges of dereliction of duty, saying that she failed to heed advice that the scheme was potentially wasteful and prone to corruption.<\/p>\n
The current deadlock dates from 2006, when the military ousted Ms Yingluck’s brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, in a coup.<\/p>\n
Both have strong support in rural and northern areas, propelling them to successive election wins.<\/p>\n
However, many in the middle class and urban elite, who comprise the heart of the anti-government movement that began in November 2013, oppose them bitterly.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n
The military junta running Thailand has lifted the nationwide curfew it imposed last month after seizing power following months of political turmoil. The 22:00-05:00 curfew, imposed by Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, had already ended in most of the country. Friday’s TV announcement said the decision to lift it altogether was taken amid an “improved” situation “and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":24829,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[865,14,1396,1397],"yoast_head":"\n