US to Thai Army: Don't Undermine Democratic Institutions

The US Embassy in Bangkok released a statement on its website in response to the Thai army's declaration of martial law on Tuesday morning.

Advertisement

US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki: 

We are aware of reports that Thailand’s army has declared martial law and are monitoring developments closely. We remain very concerned about the deepening political crisis in Thailand and urge all parties to respect democratic principles, including respect for freedom of speech. We understand the Royal Thai Army announced that this martial law declaration is not a coup. We expect the Army to honor its commitment to make this a temporary action to prevent violence, and to not undermine democratic institutions. The United States firmly believes all parties must work together to resolve differences through dialogue and find a way forward. This development underscores the need for elections to determine the will of the Thai people.

Advertisement