Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said the government and the CNS would soon hold a consultation to determine the details of lifting martial law.

CNS secretary-general Winai Phattiyakul said martial law would remain in effect in areas where subversive activities continue.

Arson attacks on school buildings in the North and Northeast have not ceased and authorities continue to uncover anti-coup leaflets in certain areas, Winai said.

"The CNS has yet to review the security situation in each province before finalising its decision on [lifting] martial law," he said.

He said the lifting of martial law depended on the domestic security situation, not on deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra's travels around Asia.

Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai Party acting leader Chaturon Chaisang warned yesterday that certain political parties might exploit the "white paper" to be issued by the CNS to explain its reasons behind the coup.

Chaturon said the CNS should not have attempted to create legitimacy for the coup, as it runs against democratic principles.

He said people might not be interested in the reasons behind the coup, but wanted to see if the CNS could solve the problems.