Royal approval sought for ending martial law

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Tuesday he has asked for King Bhumibol Adulyadej's permission to lift martial law, which has been in place since before a coup 10 months ago, replacing it with a law that maintains the army's wide-ranging powers.

Critics of the junta warned that the new law could prove more draconian and would allow Prayuth to exercise unrestricted power by citing a risk to national security.

Thailand's military seized power on May 22 last year, after months of sometimes violent street protests in Bangkok. It imposed martial law days before the coup.