Clark urges Thailand to return to democracy

The Government took a "dim view" of restrictions on the people of Thailand and urged those now controlling the country to quickly restore democratic rule, Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday.

Former Army commander Surayud Chulanont has been sworn in as the Thai premier following last month's military coup against Thaksin Shinawatra.

Helen Clark said the Government continued to be concerned about developments in Thailand, and believed it was "highly regrettable" that democratic institutions had been over-ridden by military control.

Military coups had been a feature of Thailand's past but most observers would have thought they should not be a feature of its present.

Thai authorities seem to be giving effect to their timetable for a return to democracy, she said.

"But meantime ... basic civil and political rights and freedom of expression have been curtailed and we take a very dim view of that."

The Thai military have promised elections in October 2007.

- NZPA