BANGKOK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy on Thursday announced a ban on political parties meeting and barred the establishment of new parties.

    "Meetings of political parties and conducting of any other political activities are banned," said a statement from the council read on national television.

    The statement said the move is necessary to maintain law and order.

    It was the latest announcement after the council imposed martial law on a nationwide basis, and repealed the 1997 Constitution when they affected a bloodless coup d'etat Tuesday night to overthrow caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

    It also bans gatherings by five or more people and introduces restrictions on the media.

    The media has been asked for "cooperation" to report the news "straightforwardly" and "constructively" to restore national unity. Enditem