BANGKOK — Bangkok's police chief has reminded the public that the military junta’s ban on demonstrations is still in place and applies to all protesters, regardless of their causes or political persuasions.

"[Public protests] are considered a violation of martial law," Pol.Maj.Gen. Amnuay Nimmano said at a press conference yesterday. "We have already talked about this, but there are still violations."

Thailand's military junta banned public demonstrations soon after the Army imposed nationwide martial law on 20 May, granting the military extensive powers to restrict basic human rights and freedoms. 

Although the 2014 interim charter, which was drafted by Thailand’s military junta, protects "all human dignity, rights, liberties and equality of the people" under Section 4, Thai authorities have continued to crackdown on dissidents and ban all forms of political activity. The junta announced this week that despite the recent formation of a new semi-civilian government, the junta will not repeal martial law anytime soon.

Pol.Maj.Gen. Amnuay also emphasized that demonstrations will not be permitted anywhere near the Government House —  a rallying point of many protests in the past — even if the demonstrators merely intend to petition the government about their grievances.

"Anyone who genuinely has problems about their livelihood or agricultural crops must send representatives to submit petitions through complaint centres across the 77 provinces," Pol.Maj.Gen. Amnuay said. "They cannot besiege the Government House or put up tents like before. Don't come here."

Those who violate the ban on public protests may be sent to face trial in martial court and recieve a maximum prison sentence of one year, Pol.Maj.Gen. Amnuay warned. Two weeks ago, a military court in Chiang Rai province sentenced an anti-coup protester to a one year suspended jail term and 5,000 baht fine for organising an anti-coup rally on 25 May. 

The Bangkok police chief's statements came a day after police broke up a demonstration organized by eight activists who were campaigning for a slew of energy reforms, including the nationalisation of Thailand's petroleum industry.

The group was led by the well-known Thai nationalist Veera Somkwamkid. Mr. Veera was returned to Thailand earlier this year after spending almost five years in a Cambodian prison for trespassing across the border in December 2010. 

The activists, calling themselves “Partnership for Energy Reform,” defied the ban on public gatherings by attempting to march from Victory Monument in central Bangkok to Jatujak Park on Sunday. Police broke up the protest and hauled Mr. Veera and the seven other activists away. They are currently being held in military custody. 

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SURAT THANI — Public health officials are urging tourists to be cautious around box jellyfish in the seas surrounding Koh Pha Ngan island after a five-year-old French boy died from the jellyfish's poisonous sting over the weekend.

The boy was reportedly attacked by a group of box jellyfish while he was swimming with his family near Kuat Beach on Pha Ngan island on 23 August. 

Rescue workers said they tried to rush the boy to the hospital but were unable to get him there in time.

The news has frightened many tourists on the island, which is well-known for its monthly Full Moon Party and coral reef diving. 

Yongyoth Thammawuth, an official of Ministry of Public Health, said he has urged local authorities and diving businesses to warn tourists about the jellyfish, which are considered one of the world's deadliest creatures. 

Dr. Yongyoth also advised rescue workers on the island to prepare first aid kits and vinegar in order to treat box jellyfish stings in time.

"Box jellyfish are extremely poisonous," Dr. Yongyoth said. "If a large amount of venom enters the skin, the victim will suffer a severe allergy. The victim may die if first aid is not applied quickly."

At least four people have died from box jellyfish stings off the coast of Pha Ngan island over the past two decades. 

Thanyaporn Achalawichakul, an expert in marine life in Gulf of Thailand, said vinegar is the best first aid measure for victims stung by box jellyfish. However, she warned that the vinegar treatment is only effective if the liquid is poured over the victim's wounds almost immediately after the attack.

"You have to quickly apply vinegar within the first 30 seconds," Ms. Thanyaporn said.

Kasidech Thongchu, chief district officer of Pha Ngan Island, told Khaosod he has already instructed officials and hotel operators to put up signs around the island, especially on Kuat Beach, to warn tourists about the jellyfish. 

Box jellyfish can be identified by their light blue colour and box-like shape. The creature is armed with 15 tentacles, each tentacle bearing over 5,000 venomous nodes. 

Correction: The photo featured in the original version of this article depicted Irukandji jellyfish, not box jellyfish. 

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BANGKOK — Thailand’s military junta is producing a new music video for a patriotic song from 1971 as part of its ongoing effort to woo the hearts and minds of the Thai people.

The song, called “Let Us Love Each Other,” was written by Nakorn Thanomsap under Thailand's military dictatorship in 1971, officials at the Ministry of Social and Welfare Development said. The inspiration for the song's music video revival came from junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), officials said.

The song’s lyrics proclaim that all citizens born under the Thai flag are "Thais," regardless of their ethnic differences. The song also urges Thai citizens to band together and defend Thailand from "the arrogant who insult the Golden Land of the King."

Three hundred soldiers from various army units participated in the filming of the music video yesterday in Bangkok. They were joined by a number of Thai celebrities, such as actress Usamanee Waithayanon and actor Akkapan Namart. 

"The NCPO decided to remake the patriotic song so that children of new generations will know the song and learn to sing it," an official said. "It's meant to reinforce the spirit and adjust their attitude about democratic lifestyle."

Since ousting the elected government on 22 May, the NCPO has coupled a harsh crackdown on dissidents with a soft-power PR blitz of free concerts, movie tickets, and FIFA World Cup telecasts. 

NCPO leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha also penned the lyrics for a patriotic ballad called "Returning Happiness to the People" in June. The song has been extensively broadcasted by state-owned media and the junta regularly uses it as the introduction to their televised announcements. 

However, a number of critics of the coup have ridiculed the song, with some Internet commentators teasing that Gen. Prayuth's musical talent comes from a family gene because his two twin daughters were previously members of a Thai pop band called Badz. 

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BANGKOK — Thailand’s military junta is producing a new music video for a patriotic song from 1971 as part of its ongoing effort to woo the hearts and minds of the Thai people.

The song, called “Let Us Love Each Other,” was written by Nakorn Thanomsap under Thailand's military dictatorship in 1971, officials at the Ministry of Social and Welfare Development said. The inspiration for the song's music video revival came from junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), officials said.

The song’s lyrics proclaim that all citizens born under the Thai flag are "Thais," regardless of their ethnic differences. The song also urges Thai citizens to band together and defend Thailand from "the arrogant who insult the Golden Land of the King."

Three hundred soldiers from various army units participated in the filming of the music video yesterday in Bangkok. They were joined by a number of Thai celebrities, such as actress Usamanee Waithayanon and actor Akkapan Namart. 

"The NCPO decided to remake the patriotic song so that children of new generations will know the song and learn to sing it," an official said. "It's meant to reinforce the spirit and adjust their attitude about democratic lifestyle."

Since ousting the elected government on 22 May, the NCPO has coupled a harsh crackdown on dissidents with a soft-power PR blitz of free concerts, movie tickets, and FIFA World Cup telecasts. 

NCPO leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha also penned the lyrics for a patriotic ballad called "Returning Happiness to the People" in June. The song has been extensively broadcasted by state-owned media and the junta regularly uses it as the introduction to their televised announcements. 

However, a number of critics of the coup have ridiculed the song, with some Internet commentators teasing that Gen. Prayuth's musical talent comes from a family gene because his two twin daughters were previously members of a Thai pop band called Badz. 

BANGKOK — Junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has received a royal command from His Majesty the King officially endorsing him as Thailand's 29th Prime Minister.

Gen. Prayuth received the endorsement in front of a giant portrait of King Bhumipol in a ceremony at the Royal Thai Army headquarters this morning. The 86-year-old king was not present at the ceremony, which is usually held at the Government House, as he is currently residing at a hospital in Bangkok for "medical examinations."

The ceremony was attended by the president of the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA), commanders-in-chief of the armed forces, leaders of the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), and other high-ranking officials.

The junta leader, who was selected as Prime Minister by the NLA on 21 August, said in a speech that he felt grateful for His Majesty the King's royal endorsement, which he said is the highest honour he and his family have ever received.

Gen. Prayuth also said he will strive to lead the country forward with widespread reforms of the country’s political, economic, and social sectors.

"The reforms will promote good governance in the political system and administration of the country," Gen. Prayuth said.

He added, "Let me give a promise to the people that I will fully dedicate myself as I carry out my duties. I will be honest, transparent, and I will uphold the interest of the nation and the people as the priority … in order to restore happiness and peace to the people."

There was a slight confusion when Gen. Prayuth said he would form a Cabinet in "October," contrary to the NCPO's claim that the new government will be sworn in before the end of this month. A spokesperson of the military junta, Col. Winthai Suwaree, later explained that Gen. Prayuth's remark was an error.

"I have received confirmation from Gen. Prayuth that everything will be according to the schedule set by the NCPO, which is to submit the list of the Cabinet for His Majesty the King within September," Col. Winthai said. 

After receiving the royal endorsement, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha now officially holds three titles: Prime Minister, chairman of the NCPO, and commander of the Royal Thai Army, although he is scheduled to retire from the latter in September. 

Gen. Prayuth is the first individual to amass such concentrated and widespread power over Thailand’s national administration since 1971, when Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn installed himself as Prime Minister, chairman of Revolutionary Council, and commander of the armed forces.

According to Gen. Prayuth, his interim government will administer the country for the next year, after which a general election is scheduled to be held in October 2015 if the political climate is deemed stable.