Thai military imposes martial law

BANGKOK, May 20 (Agencies): The Thai military has imposed Tuesday martial law amid a political crisis "to preserve law and order", but says the surprise move is not a coup.

In response, the acting prime minister urged the army to act "under the constitution" and "with no violence". Martial law comes after months of escalating tensions between the government and the opposition.

Thailand's biggest investor Japan expressed "grave concerns" after the army imposed martial law, with the United States saying it must only be "temporary" as multinational firms monitored events nervously. The European Union Tuesday called for "a clear timetable" for a snap election.

Correspondents say the move could enrage supporters of the government, especially if it is seen as amounting to a coup. The army has staged at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.

Meanwhile, Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan Tuesday called for fresh polls to be held on August 3 in a bid to end the nation's political turmoil, after the military imposed martial law across the kingdom.

Niwattumrong told reporters that the government had written to the Thai Election Commission proposing the new date for polls and hoped to "submit a royal decree" next week for the king to endorse a new national vote.

The premier backed the decision to introduce martial law, saying it could help the proposed election take place, and added that the government would "engage in reforms before the election" -- without giving further details.