New Thai security order is not tougher than martial law - army chief

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A sweeping new security measure in Thailand that has replaced martial law does not give the army more control than it had previously, Thailand's army chief said on Thursday, following criticism that the junta has significantly increased its powers.

The comments came on the same day the United Nations human rights chief said that the Thai military government had replaced martial law "with something even more draconian" and called for a return to civilian rule.