Thai King Endorses Coup Leader As Head Of Governing Council

[nokia]

Sep 20, 8:18 AM EDT

Thai king endorses coup leader as head of governing council

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Wednesday endorsed a coup leader to head the new governing council, according to a televised announcement.

"In order to create peace in the country, the king appoints Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin as head of the council of administrative reform," according to the announcement on state-run television.

"All people should remain peaceful and civil servants should listen to order from Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin from now on."

The king's endorsement is widely seen as giving legitimacy to the new Council of Administrative Reform.

Sondhi led a takeover overnight without firing a shot, sending soldiers and tanks to guard major intersections and surround government buildings while the popularly elected Thaksin, accused of corruption and undermining democratic institutions, was abroad.

[mittheimp]

The bbc just said The king made a TV address to the nation - i guess this is not true?

[britmaveric]

The bbc just said The king made a TV address to the nation - i guess this is not true?

Hmm odd no reports about this anywhere?

[Plus]

especially on TV - it's been on for hours now

[GuestHouse]

No big surprises here then.

[mittheimp]

The bbc just said The king made a TV address to the nation - i guess this is not true?

Hmm odd no reports about this anywhere?

no i think they got it wrong.

[John K]

Info rushed to press with errors?

[mittheimp]

well the BBC are still implying this on news24

"The King of Thailand has endorsed last night's coup, in a televised address he appealed for calm'

[frodo]

I did see a small sentence in the Bangkok Post reagrding HM endorsing Sonthi. There is also a larger article that can be found here Thai Army Chief Gets Endorsement

It was also interesting to note that Thaksin could still face prosecution here.

FR

Edited September 20, 2006 by frodo

[Plus]

It's all over the TV, but the King didn't appear personally. Maybe the occasion doesn't warrant it. It was the coup, don't forget, nothing to be proud of.

[suiging]

Even the lads from the sticks love their King, fingers crossed for peace in the Kingdom.

[tornado40]

The execution of miltary moves was extremely slick, and if it continues to go as smoothly and power is conceeded from the military within two weeks, this is a marvelous advertisment for Thailand and how peaceful her people can be.

I am extremely proud of how my adopted home has handled this, I have a feeling this could go down as one of the happiest and least threatening coups in history. The smiles on the troops faces and the friendly crowds are testement to this.

Well said - just look at what is happening in Hungary

[Crushdepth]

Although the new leader has been endorsed and is now backed. I find it unlikely that a coup would be given legitimacy.

Anyone know of a reliable report saying that the King *has* actually has endorsed Sonthi? If he did then Sonthi is legitimate and right or wrong, the debate is over.

[Totster]

20:17

His Majesty the King officially endorses appointment of coup council of administrative reform with Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin as head.

from Bangkok post - Breaking news.

totster

[ovenman]

Anyone know of a reliable report saying that the King *has* actually has endorsed Sonthi?

It was reported as such on Channel 11's English language Newsline broadcast this evening.

[Totster]

I dont think reliable info is possible at all currently.

Dont forget that the military now controls the flow of information and you see what they want you to see.

Anyone know of a reliable report saying that the King *has* actually has endorsed Sonthi?

It was reported as such on Channel 11's English language Newsline broadcast this evening.

please see my post above

totster

[John K]

Thai army chief gets king's endorsement

By DENIS D. GRAY, Associated Press Writer

BANGKOK, Thailand - The army commander who seized Thailand's government in a quick, bloodless coup pledged Wednesday to hold elections by October 2007, and received a ringing endorsement from the country's revered king.

Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin also hinted that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may face prosecution.

Sondhi said he would act as prime minister for two weeks until a new leader is chosen by the Council of Administrative Reform, that an interim constitution would be drafted within that time, and that Thailand's foreign policy and international agreements would remain unchanged.

Australia called the coup a "great disappointment," while Japan urged the quick restoration of democracy. The

European Union condemned the military takeover, while Washington expressed concern about it. The United States, Britain and other nations also warned their citizens in Thailand to exercise caution.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej appointed Sondhi as head of the council "in order to create peace in the country," according to an announcement on state-run television.

"All people should remain peaceful and civil servants should listen to orders from Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin from now on," it said.

Sondhi led a precision takeover overnight without firing a shot, sending soldiers and tanks to guard major intersections and surround government buildings while the popularly elected Thaksin, accused of corruption and undermining democratic institutions, was in New York attending the U.N. General Assembly.

Asked at a news conference if there would be moves to confiscate Thaksin's vast assets, Sondhi said that "those who have committed wrongdoings have to be prosecuted according to the law." He did not elaborate.

In launching Thailand's first coup in 15 years, Sondhi said on nationwide television that the overthrow was needed "in order to resolve the conflict and bring back normalcy and harmony among people."

"I am the one who decided to stage the coup. No one supported me," Sondhi said.

State-run television also announced that the new leaders had dismissed the state audit commissioners and given additional powers to the auditor general Jaruvan Maintaka to investigative government corruption. Analysts said the move is expected to make it easier for Jaruvan to investigate allegations of corruption involving Thaksin and his ministers and could eventually lead to the confiscation of his assets.

The British Foreign Office said Thaksin was to arrive Wednesday in London on a private visit. A spokeswoman for Gatwick Airport said a chartered Thai Airways jet was due to land there around noon EDT.

The Thai Embassy in London said it had no immediate information on Thaksin's whereabouts.

A British government spokesman said Thaksin had no meetings scheduled with Prime Minister

Tony Blair or other officials.

Bangkok, a city of more than 10 million, was calm Wednesday, and most residents appeared unfazed. About 500 people gathered outside army headquarters Wednesday afternoon to lend moral support to the military, chanting "Thaksin Get Out!"

The council put the country under martial law and declared a provisional authority loyal to the king, seizing television and radio stations and ordering government offices, banks, schools and the stock market to close for the day.

The unexpected coup rattled Asian financial markets and pressured the Thai baht and other regional currencies, though its economic repercussions remained unclear.

Nearly 20 tanks — their machine gun barrels festooned with ribbons in the royal color of yellow — had blocked off the Royal Palace, Royal Plaza, army headquarters and Thaksin's office at Government House.

In the afternoon, the tanks began shifting from positions in downtown Bangkok. It was not immediately clear whether the tanks were withdrawing, or merely changing positions. Government public relations officials said they could not immediately comment.

Asked whether there would be moves to confiscate Thaksin's vast assets, Sondhi said that "those who have committed wrongdoings have to be prosecuted according to the law." He did not elaborate.

The Nation newspaper in Bangkok said several senior government officials and others close to Thaksin had been arrested, their fates unknown.

It said they included Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Supreme Military Commander Gen. Ruengroj Maharsaranond.

Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, one of Thaksin's closest political associates, fled to Paris with her family, it said.

In Washington, the State Department said it was uneasy about the military takeover and hoped "the Thai people will resolve their political differences in accord with democratic principles and the rule of law."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard described the coup as a "great disappointment," adding that it was a reminder of an element of Asia's past he had hoped would not return. "We condemn military coups," Howard said. "They are a throwback to a past I had hoped Asia had emerged from."

Japan also called for the quick restoration of democracy in a country where many of its top businesses have factories and affiliates.

The European Union joined condemnation of the coup and said "the military forces stand back and give way to the democratically elected political government."

China described the coup as "an internal affair of Thailand" and made no public judgment. "The friendly relations between China and Thailand will continue to develop," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

The

International Monetary Fund, which bailed Thailand and some of its neighbors out of a financial crisis in the late 1990s, was closely watching the situation but believed the region would be little affected, said the IMF's chief, Rodrigo de Rato.

"Thailand's economy is fundamentally strong," de Rato said.

The U.S. Embassy, in an e-mail to its citizens living in Thailand, said while there had been no reports of violence, Americans should "monitor the situation closely, avoid any large gatherings and exercise discretion when moving about the city."

"At this point, we are not advising Americans to leave Thailand; however, Americans planning to travel to Thailand may wish to carefully consider their options before traveling until the situation becomes clearer," the e-mail read.

Britain told its citizens in Thailand to stay in their homes, while Japan, Australia and Canada similarly advised caution.

Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon before entering politics, handily won three general elections since coming to power in 2001 and garnered great support among the rural poor for his populist policies.

But he alienated the urban middle class, intellectuals and pro-democracy activists. They began mass street demonstrations last year, charging him with abuse of power, corruption and emasculation of democratic institutions, including media that were once among Asia's freest.

The bloodless coup was the first overt military intervention in Thailand since 1991, when Suchinda Kraprayoon, a military general, toppled a civilian government in a bloodless takeover. He was ousted in 1992 following street demonstrations.

___

Associated Press Writers Jill Lawless in London and Elaine Kurtenbach in Singapore contributed to this report.

[Insight]

Sorry for the post, but noticed the Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department has been quiet today :D

[John K]

From AP post

State-run television also announced that the new leaders had dismissed the state audit commissioners and given additional powers to the auditor general Jaruvan Maintaka to investigative government corruption. Analysts said the move is expected to make it easier for Jaruvan to investigate allegations of corruption involving Thaksin and his ministers and could eventually lead to the confiscation of his assets.

It is good to see the new leaders are putting the proper tools in place for the hunt!

[Plus]

There has been an announcement calling for Yongyudh Tiyapairath and Newin Chidchob to report to Sonthi tomorrow by noon. Rumors are that they might be planning forming the government in exile in Singapore.

Only Chidchai and Prommin have been detained so far, though Surapong claimed that he could get through to Chidchai on his phone. Oh, and one crazy ex TRT MP who staged a protest at Democracy Monument was promptly arrested.

The rest of the government has been abroad since last week - in France and the US.

[LaoPo]

From AP post

State-run television also announced that the new leaders had dismissed the state audit commissioners and given additional powers to the auditor general Jaruvan Maintaka to investigative government corruption. Analysts said the move is expected to make it easier for Jaruvan to investigate allegations of corruption involving Thaksin and his ministers and could eventually lead to the confiscation of his assets.

It is good to see the new leaders are putting the proper tools in place for the hunt!

It's nice to know that the new leaders are free of (previous) corruption, isn't it?............

LaoPo

[englishoak]

The bloodless coup was the first overt military intervention in Thailand since 1991, when Suchinda Kraprayoon, a military general, toppled a civilian government in a bloodless takeover. He was ousted in 1992 following street demonstrations

Hmmm that's not quite true. I do believe quite a few people were killed at the Royal Hotel aka Ratanakosin hotel opposite Sanam Luang also in thamassatt university a lot of students died.

Thailand of 1992 was not the Siam of 1932. Suchinda’s (PM) action brought hundreds of thousands of people out in the largest demonstrations ever seen in Bangkok, led by the former governor of Bangkok, Major-General Chamlong Srimuang. Suchinda brought military units personally loyal to him into the city and tried to suppress the demonstrations by force, leading to a massacre in the heart of the city in which hundreds died. The Navy mutinied in protest, and the country seemed on the verge of civil war. In May the King intervened: he summoned Suchinda and Chamlong to a televised audience. The result of this was the resignation of Suchinda.

source wikipedia/history of thailand

By the way according to many Thai friends and family the number of casualties ran into thousands not hundreds.

Edited September 20, 2006 by englishoak

[Ijustwannateach]

Please avoid posts which quote sources that are banned in Thailand.

[lukamar]

Please avoid posts which quote sources that are banned in Thailand.

As there are more than 5 people discussing politics on this thread, we are also in violation of the Junta's directive against such action and can all face arrest, 6 month imprisonment and/or 10,000Bt fine, as our actions here is also banned in Thailand under the Martial Law rulings. Just some food for thought, in a now Constitution-less country under military rule.

[meom]

The execution of miltary moves was extremely slick, and if it continues to go as smoothly and power is conceeded from the military within two weeks, this is a marvelous advertisment for Thailand and how peaceful her people can be.

The military might take a step back but it seems to me that they, together with the police, have always been the major power brokers in Thailand and will be for a long time to come.

Interesting note is that the appointed coup leader is a muslim. Conspiracy theories will abound for sure.

Edited September 20, 2006 by meom

[lukamar]

Interesting note is that the appointed coup leader is a muslim.

I don't think his religious beliefs have much to do with anything at this point but they would have, if the coup failed. It cold have been a very convenient excuse and blamed on the Muslim insurgency infiltrating the military.

If you remember when you were a kid and pushed the other guy in the back, while the whole time telling him you are right behind him. You have to ask, who is the guy that's pushing him in the back? Because no Lt.General has the clout and power to pull this off, in Thailand or elsewhere, without support that's way way up there in clout.

[h90]

Please avoid posts which quote sources that are banned in Thailand.

For me there are no banned webpages anymore since yesterday, Internet is complete free now.

[Plus]

This morning on Asia Today they let BBC talk about the ARC at length, but when they turned to Thaksin and showed file pictures of him working the crowds, UBC abruptly pull BBC off air and came back only when BBC changed the story to Afganistan.

[John K]

Please avoid posts which quote sources that are banned in Thailand.

Ok this is important. George or someone, please send an email to everyone or put it where everyone can see it before they click submit post. We need to know what we can and can’t post during this time. Khutan I know you know what I am talking about here. I don’t want to try to guess and I truly did not know and actually still don’t.

[penguin]

Please avoid posts which quote sources that are banned in Thailand.

For dummies like me and without locking this thread, could a ThaiVisa moderator kindly spell out what Ijustwannateach is talking about.