Story highlights Martial law has been lifted in Thailand after 10 months

It has been replaced by a new order granting sweeping powers to the military junta

Critics warn the move deepens the country's "descent into dictatorship"

Bangkok (CNN) Thailand has lifted martial law, replacing it with it a controversial new security order granting sweeping powers to the ruling military junta.

Critics have expressed alarm at the move, with Human Rights Watch's Asia director Brad Adams saying it marked the country's "deepening descent into dictatorship."

Martial law was lifted Wednesday when the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej approved a request from Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha to proceed.

Prayuth -- head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta -- immediately invoked Article 44 of the country's interim constitution "to curb acts deemed harmful to national peace and stability."

Article 44 states, in wide-ranging terms, that when the head of the junta believes it is necessary in the name of public harmony or to prevent the undermining of national security, then he has the power to act as deemed necessary.

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