Fireworks will be temporarily allowed during the 2018 New Year celebrations, according to a new order by the junta's chief.
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has issued the order by his authority under Section 44 of the interim charter to override a previous one banning pyrotechnics.
The new order, published in the Royal Gazette on Saturday, aims to "allow celebrations of the new year, which will promote tourism".
On June 10 last year, the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) issued the No.27/2559 order banning fireballs, fireworks, rockets or similar stuff unless prior approval is sought. Violators will face a jail term up to three years and/or a fine not more than 60,000 baht.
Under the new order, fireworks can be set off between 11pm on Sunday and 1am the next day without having to seek prior permission from district directors for Bangkok and district chiefs for other provinces.
Fireworks can only be set off at a safe distance and nowhere near royal grounds, oil depots, refuelling stations, hospitals and airports. Their pipes must be 12 inches or less in diameter.
Users must also lay down preventive measures against accidents or damage to life and assets, according to the order.
Other forms of pyrotechnics continued to be banned even during the period.
