"We will lift martial law as soon as we can and when the situation is suitable," said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who was appointed by the military after the Sept. 19 coup that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra.

Surayud made the comments during a break from his first Cabinet meeting, a day after the team was sworn in by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The country's monarch urged the Cabinet to work with honesty as the country tries to move beyond a political crisis that led to the overthrow of Prime Minister Shinawatra, and to help restore Thailand's international reputation.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 14, 2006
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