For now, no halt in US aid to Thailand

The United States on Tuesday said Thailand’s declaration of martial law is permitted by its constitution and its actions so far won’t lead to any sanctions.

Reporters asked State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki if the U.S. views the situation as a coup d’état.

“As you may know, martial law, the declaration of that is allowed for in the Thai constitution,” said Psaki, who refrained from defining the government’s actions further.

{mosads}Psaki was then pressed about whether the administration is mimicking the posture it took during the revolution in Egypt by not calling Thailand’s actions a coup. 

“We’re looking at Thailand individually,” she said. “I’m not putting any names on anything. I’m just noting what’s allowed for in the constitution, and, obviously, the fact that the army has committed to a temporary action here. This is a temporary action.”

None of Thailand’s actions so far will push the U.S. to halt aid to the country, Psaki confirmed.

Thailand’s army has stated publicly that its announcement of martial law on Monday is only temporary, Psaki said, but added “all of our concerns haven’t been alleviated.”

On Monday, armed troops entered TV stations in Bangkok to announce that they were imposing martial law. Anti-government protestors have been demonstrating against the Thai government over the last six months.  

An army official in Thailand told the Associated Press on Monday that they didn’t intend to overthrow the government.