According to AFP, on July 15, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha announced that the country had passed a new law banning unauthorized demonstrations.

Protesters gathered outside the Ministry of Finance in Bangkok in early 2014. (Source: AFP/VNA)

This move would help extend the ban on protests imposed by the military junta after the regime leaves office.

According to Prime Minister Prayut, the aforementioned bill has been published in the Royal Gazette. This is the final step before a law takes effect.

This law requires protest organizers to obtain official permits at least 24 hours before organizing a march.

Speaking to reporters in Bangkok, Prayut declared: "This law applies to all forms of protest. It will be an important tool to help the next government maintain peace and order."

Political protests have been considered illegal since Thai generals seized power in a May 2014 coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

(According to AFP/VN+)