Martial law to be extended in Thailand

BANGKOK, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The head of the Council for National Security says martial law will remain in effect in much of Thailand after the December election.

Army chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin cited the border provinces in the south of the country, the Thai News Agency reported. He described plans to keep martial law in that area as a response to smuggling and other border problems, not an attempt at political control.

Sonthi, who has reached the mandatory retirement age, is to step down as head of the army at the end of the month but remain head of the council.

He said martial law will remain in force in 35 of Thailand’s 76 provinces.