THAILAND’S martial law will not be lifted in the foreseeable future, Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said today — despite an earlier pledge to lift it.

The army imposed martial law in May, just days before it took power in a coup it claimed was necessary to end months of street demonstrations.

“Martial law is necessary and we cannot lift it because the government and junta need it as the army’s tool,” said General Koomchaya.

“We are not saying martial law will stay in place for 50 years … we say it remains in place for now, indefinitely.”

All political protests are banned under the law, but that has not stopped students from staging protests this week.

The law puts general security in the hands of the army, with sweeping powers to detain people.

But Gen Koomchaya denied it was being abused.

“The law does not violate anyone’s rights,” he claimed.