Thailand's army invokes martial law: military TV

[bkkjames]

After Army found war weapons in car of reds MP, it's normal ML has been invoke.......

have they revealed who this was?

[Tatsujin]

After Army found war weapons in car of reds MP, it's normal ML has been invoke.......

have they revealed who this was?

Was it a pink Bentley?

More seriously, this is what has been released so far:

White Mazda

Found at resort owned by former government MP Sitthichai Kittithanesuan

Car belongs to another politician, an adviser to a caretaker minister

The car which carried the weapons belongs to a high-profile politician in a central province

The weapons were found in Nakhon Nayok in a car registered in Chiang Rai

Edited May 20, 2014 by Tatsujin

[Bkkbound]

This is just painfully slow in being dealt with,should have been done at least 6 months ago..and unless the shin clan are effectively and permanently neutralised this does not end quickly... And yes i do think it will end quickly as the reds have no clear policital base other than thuggery and corruption...the western notion of democracy in thaiand is a fantasy.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Bkkbound

[StevieH]

Jonathon Head is a reporter who doesn't report the news but distorts it to sensationalise the issue for his own ends. We saw how the BBC and NBC, among others including Australia's ABC, misreported the 2010 situation so I believe him about as far as I could kick a big rock.

Bob A. Now totally relaxed in Lampang

Totally agree. He's a disgrace to the traditions of British journalism. A complete Shin sycophant who romanticizes them into some kind of people loving benevolent political dynasty that wants a fair and just society for all. Unfortunately their actions are different which he conveniently doesn't "report" on. His reports reflect his own political leanings and the society he wishes for rather than the realities around him,

Come on BBC - wakey wakey!

The BBC has very high and exacting standards which are monitored very closely.

Jonathan Head is an excellent reporter and you don't like him because he doesn't take any notice of the yellow propaganda and reports fairly and squarely. Good for him and proud of the BBC.

Utter twaddle. Reporting fairly and squarely by most media news organisations is an optimistic ideal to say the least. JH has just got it consistently wrong here and many have evidently followed up with complaints. The wiki article detailing his previous reporting (alleged) might be perceived by some as a reason why his reporting is perhaps ....... jaded!

head reports on what he can from the ground in bangkok. might get the odd fact wrong here and there but then that depends on what information he's got to work with - which over here can often be muddled.

those who think that jonathan head is somehow pro-shinawatra in his reporting - to what end? what's in it for him and what the hell is in it for the bbc to pick sides in thailand? it's mental thought process this.

[mrtoad]

Who has the POWER

so power has not been handed to an unelected leader but taken - does that mean jutaporn is going to call his red army to the streets or is he in jail already

Have Surapong Charlerm and Tarit foregone their 5 star breakfast

I did hear that Surapong, Chalerm and Tharit have been asked to account for all the money that the CAPO spent.

I guess they will be slogging away with their spreadsheets.

Martial Law means that the police now fall under the army. Not sure where Tharit now stands.

That being the case, the army could take the oportunity to remove Thaksin and Chalerm of their police rank and even restructure the police force to a politically neutral entity that actually does it's job.

I think Tarit is standing knee deep in shit, and it's likely to get a lot deeper. The other two , will hopefully be dealt with swiftly, although given their long documented history of cowardice, I suspect air tickets have been booked.

[LevelHead]

After Army found war weapons in car of reds MP, it's normal ML has been invoke.......

have they revealed who this was?

Who cares, they found a couple of guns (was it just two)............. so what ?

The PDRC had war weapons inside popcorn bags and shot people dead with them.................. and PDRC protestors were wearing popcorn T-shirts happy that their guards had war weapons..............

Martial Law is all about stopping the fake monk, Suthep and the PDRC from doing any more damage to Thailand.

Martial Law now means the Judiciary are powerless to prevent the disbanding of the PDRC.......................... the Judiciary stopped CAPO from doing it by revoking the Emergency Decree - the only way to stop Suthep was to invoke Martial Law - which has now been done - thankfully.

Notice a few days back Surapong and other caretaker government people wanting Martial Law.............

The caretaker government wanted Martial Law................... Suthep and the PDRC and the fake monk do not want it.............it now stops them dead in the their tracks.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Surapong-voices-support-for-martial-law-30233791.html

Surapong voices support for martial law

The Nation May 16, 2014 12:52 pm

Former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Friday expressed his support for the declaration of martial law by the Army.

Surapong said if the Army were to declare martial law nationwide, the new election could be held smoothly.

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha indicated Thursday that he might have to resort to martial law if political violence escalates, saying the army might have to deploy troops to control the situation.

"Martial law is the highest level of measures to ensure security. I believe the armed forces have prepared measures to enforce it," Surapong said.

Surapong was speaking to reporters at the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order. He said he would continue to work as the CAPO adviser until the order for him to be removed from the post is announced in the Royal Gazette.

He said he would like to thank the Army chief for issuing a statement Thursday to warn political opponents to behave or the Army might have to deploy a full force of troops to keep security.

Surapong said he would like the Army chief to take action against leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, adding that troops are also officers who could make arrests.

He said the government's opponents would like to encourage the military leaders to stage a coup but the top brass has made it clear that it would not seize power.

"But they may control the situation to prevent violence by declaring martial law, which is not a coup," Surapong said.

"If martial law is declared, the military will run the operation to maintain security and the CAPO will not get involved. And I believe that if the martial law is declared nationwide, the election can be held."

[LevelHead]

I think there must be some deluded PDRC supporters around............. Martial Law is all about stopping the PDRC and fake monk from doing any more damage to the country, and they think its about a couple of rifles in someones car.........

[mrtoad]

The BBC has very high and exacting standards which are monitored very closely.

.

Like Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall?

Now then now then.

[TimCM]

Why does Thailand even have a military? All they do is covert power and money.

The role of the military is to defend the country and we have seen what happens if someone attacks Thailand in the past. The military runs home to cry to their mums.

Very constructive - not.

Don't think you'd have been keen messing with the guys in full combat attire operating at the motorway way junction near my house this morning, even with a few beers inside.

When was the last time someone attacked Thailand?

It would be great if those who post attacking the military took a few moments to look at what they actually do for this country.

Any time there is an emergency who is there to help ?, Be it flood the recent earthquake or anything else the military is always there.

Have you ever been in a military hospital in this country ? Probably don't even know they exist, they treat all comers including farang and have some of the top specialists in the country in all fields, these specialists are called on by public and private hospitals when needed.

They have a medical school and nursing collage that trains hundreds of doctors, dentists and nurses every year to a high standard.

If you don't believe that go have a look at one of the military hospitals in your area, if you are in BKK look at Pramonkutklau which I understand is the 5th or 6th biggest hospital in the country.

These hospitals, and there are many of them, must save the health budget billions each year.

They also train drivers, engineers, pilots and many others who get good jobs when they leave the military.

Sure there is waste of money with things like a submarine base, aircraft carrier and no doubt corruption along the way.

But they are not all bad and do a lot for the country.

Right now they are in the process of getting it out of the clutches of the criminal on the run and back on track.

Fair point on some of the services offered to the people of Thailand. I have visited a army hospital with my students so know of what you are speaking.

They are also alleged to be involved in human trafficking and there seems to be a lot of unusual wealth in the military as well to balance that out.

How do you explain the other coup's that have happened and always result in the removal of parties that represent the poor (badly in PT's case) and seem to never be concerned with the corruption of the other side?

If they get rid of this criminal (TS), do you suggest they install another of the right colour?

[Piichai]

There is still one thing missing here..... DSI

Everything pro-gov has been neutered in one blow of the axe, but no mention of what is happening with the DSI, which was also a very aggressive department of the PTP / Thaksin lacky club.

The last I read, Tarit was after senate speaker Surachai... wondering what will come of that now.

If the situation with respect to that upgrades to the DSI being told to wind it's neck in also, then we can all safely assume there will be a newly appointed PM and cabinet and Suthep wins.

I suspect if the government changes, so will DSI.

[shakya]

So it is 6 AM and I am watching CNN. No mention of it.. Let's try BBC.

It's on Aljazeera

[LevelHead]

There is still one thing missing here..... DSI

Everything pro-gov has been neutered in one blow of the axe, but no mention of what is happening with the DSI, which was also a very aggressive department of the PTP / Thaksin lacky club.

The last I read, Tarit was after senate speaker Surachai... wondering what will come of that now.

If the situation with respect to that upgrades to the DSI being told to wind it's neck in also, then we can all safely assume there will be a newly appointed PM and cabinet and Suthep wins.

I suspect if the government changes, so will DSI.

I think you will find everything Anti-Government is neutered in one go.

Judiciary now have now power. PDRC no power. Suthep no power. Fake monk no power, Blue Sky shut down, ASTV shut down.

With those all neutered an election can now finally take place.................. as was said by caretaker government people on the 16th, as per the Nation report on why the caretaker government wanted Martial law.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Surapong-voices-support-for-martial-law-30233791.html

.

Edited May 20, 2014 by LevelHead

[Robby nz]

After Army found war weapons in car of reds MP, it's normal ML has been invoke.......

Went a little farther than that.

The Police and Govt tried to get the army to forget about it, no luck fortunately.

[Lizard2010]

Hopefully this will eliveatate any fighting between the two groups

Plus

Hope they do not close the Airports.

[rabas]

After Army found war weapons in car of reds MP, it's normal ML has been invoke.......

have they revealed who this was?

Who cares, they found a couple of guns (was it just two)............. so what ?

[CLIP]

The fact that high level police, government officials, and Prayut all got in a spat suggests that some care.

I have been looking all over for information on how many were found, can you please post yours?

Edited May 20, 2014 by rabas

[Ianatlarge]

Maybe the Mil gov will reform the visa system, so we actually get a system that is fair, efficient, and works in everyone's best interestes?

[kap]

LOS is like a big pus-filled boil in dire need of a good lancing...and I don't think that this marshal law will do the trick....just sayin'

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I often wonder why people put ......just saying at the end of their post, we know your saying or writing

"Flippant" ...now you know.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chubby]

2 points, if this was the 1914 law, NYT, says it was supposed to all have been invoked by royal decree (course that was when it was still a full monarchy), which explains the last point, sorta ...

in country, maybe they will censor your TVisa access, then what would you do ....

Edited May 20, 2014 by chubby

[Robby nz]

There is still one thing missing here..... DSI

Everything pro-gov has been neutered in one blow of the axe, but no mention of what is happening with the DSI, which was also a very aggressive department of the PTP / Thaksin lacky club.

The last I read, Tarit was after senate speaker Surachai... wondering what will come of that now.

If the situation with respect to that upgrades to the DSI being told to wind it's neck in also, then we can all safely assume there will be a newly appointed PM and cabinet and Suthep wins.

I suspect if the government changes, so will DSI.

I think you will find everything Anti-Government is neutered in one go.

Judiciary now have now power. PDRC no power. Suthep no power. Fake monk no power, Blue Sky shut down, ASTV shut down.

With those all neutered an election can now finally take place.................. as was said by caretaker government people on the 16th, as per the Nation report on why the caretaker government wanted Martial law.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Surapong-voices-support-for-martial-law-30233791.html

.

Where does it say the judiciary has no power ?

They are free to carry on with all the cases in front of them and accept new cases.

That the army also has power under the ML to detain (for 7 days) and charge and try does not take anything away from all the various courts.

Surapong seems to think he is still in some sort of job even though CAPO has been disbanded and all staff told to go back to their previous posts.

He has no previous post to go back to so is now out of it completely but he still clings to some illusion of power.

[Thait Spot]

Who has the POWER

so power has not been handed to an unelected leader but taken - does that mean jutaporn is going to call his red army to the streets or is he in jail already

Have Surapong Charlerm and Tarit foregone their 5 star breakfast

I did hear that Surapong, Chalerm and Tharit have been asked to account for all the money that the CAPO spent.

I guess they will be slogging away with their spreadsheets.

Martial Law means that the police now fall under the army. Not sure where Tharit now stands.

That being the case, the army could take the oportunity to remove Thaksin and Chalerm of their police rank and even restructure the police force to a politically neutral entity that actually does it's job.

But who's going to restructure the army into a politically neutral entity?

I don't think too many on here would object to having the army and police banned from political activity - including having their pensions stopped.

[rabas]

LOS is like a big pus-filled boil in dire need of a good lancing...and I don't think that this marshal law will do the trick....just sayin'

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I often wonder why people put ......just saying at the end of their post, we know your saying or writing

"Flippant" ...now you know.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

just saying Urban Dictionary.

a phrase used to indicate that we refuse to defend a claim we've made---in other words, that we refuse to offer reasons that what we've said is true.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/category/breakingnews/

12:27 pm

Peace Keeping Directorate (PKD) director Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha held an urgent meeting with the commander-in-chiefs of the Navy, the Air Force and the commissioner of the Royal Thai Police at the First Infantry Division of the Royal Guard at noon today to discuss the implementation of the martial law.

After the meeting,the Arny chief will preside over the meeting with all heads of government agencies and state enterprises and all sectors of the societies and independent organisation to brief the on the situation and guidelines to implement under the martial law environment.

He will give a press conference after the 2 p.m, meeting.

Meanwhile the army deputy spokesman refused comment on the possibility of imposing curfew in the capital tonight saying it depends on how the situation develops.

12:16 pm

Acting Premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpausarn held a special meeting of his remaining cabinet ministers today at an undisclosed place to assess the situation after the imposition of martial law.

No details of what it discussed or where it was taken place was revealed.

Edited May 20, 2014 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Thait Spot]

If an Army invokes the Martial Law it looks more like a Coup D'Etat to me because to my understanding invoking this law is to the parliament i.e. government?! Sugarcoating won't help to cover that! Suggestions!

It is what it is.

Forget the Tate and Lyle

[See the bears]

Hope the oh so clever powers to be have fully considered the consequences of an underground insurgency. They don't have far to look to see an example of how this will play out.

[Issangeorge]

Tuesday must be an auspicious day for coups, the last one was on a Tuesday.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ozviking]

All the B...shit between different coloured shirts has been going on for too long. As long as this is not a coup, maybe we can one day get a fully supported election - and peace.

Thailand's economy is going downhill. Tourists are reluctant to come here, and some food prices are increasing, making it hard for the average Thai.

I love Thailand, and hope for a better future for the Thais - and us farangs who live here

ozviking

[JSixpack]

Are there any no-go zones in bangkok right now because of this Martial Law?

Most importantly, will the go-go zones become no-go-go?

[EnglishJohn]

This was always going to happen. Thaksin did not cede a single thing to the protests : even the dissolving of Parliament was intended to get them a fresh mandate to justify ignoring everybody. Everything is due to his ego and stubbornness not to back down to anybody.

We can only hope now that the army will force some politcal reform which prevent such corruption as we have seen from Pheu Thai and the police - then hold full and free elections as soon as possible. Prayuth seems to be a good man : I suppose now we are going to find out for sure if he is or not.

As a farang, this move makes me more confident in the future of Thailand, not less.

[haroldc]

Bravo! Long overdue...

[Rorri]

noitom, on 20 May 2014 - 09:21, said:

Until the interim PM addresses the nation, it can be nothing other than a coup. They can call it "martial law" and say it's not a coup, but everyone knows what's going on here.

The infamous Ed, from Phuket would argue with you....but then, he tends to argue/ridicule many people who don't share his view.