Thailand's army invokes martial law: military TV

[nashville]

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

[Arjay]

Here it comes! The Army has spoken and taken sides...

[Jip99]

Great News!

One step forward to the eventual solution for Thailand.

[HasipHasip5]

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Interesting. Prayuth just took himself out of the running to be an interim neutral PM.

He already holds the second most powerful position in Thailand. Why would he want to demote himself?

[chooka]

Is there a list of restrictions anywhere for what this actually means? I'm about to leave for Bangkok in two days.

Don't know - curfew at 9pm, not allowed to gather in groups over 5 people etc?

I would guess the same as the emergency decree that the courts dismissed because there was no requirement for it. The military have now just over ruled the courts.

Maybe because of new information. Like government officials with assault rifles in their car!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Australian ABC News was just saying they believe this is a result of the PDRC threats to use any means possible to hunt down and force ministers to resign.

The were also saying that the Military has completely surround both the PDRC and Red shirt sites to restrict their movements

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

We're now at 11 pages and running...

Hopefully before we get to 100, someone from the Army will pop up and explain just what, if anything, their imposition of martial law is going to mean for average citizens, Thai and farang alike.

Nothing in the Army's original announcement about curfews or anything like that. Perhaps they don't feel those kinds of measures are necessary.

[TinoThailand]

Some making a shitload of money out of all the drama. No matter if it's China, no matter if it's security contractors, no matter what family. Some bennifit greatly (well that's if you're a money zombie).

Many red shirts are rice farmers or at least have a family member in the rice business, so after the robbery they lost support of many "red shirts" I guess. The once who burn the city and demolished cars and more are simply slave / zombies. Getting paid or just hate in general.

To think every thing will be ok after the next bloodbath would be very naive. Or you will have a new regime, or a lot of "terror" attacks because if you fallow the money you will find all wrongdoers behinds the tools.

[chotthee]

Im due on an International flight today 2.30pm Don Muang

Can anyone advise of traffic disruptions?

It should be a problem.

But if you want to be double safe, ... . .

[masuk]

BBC TV news shows the traffic being controlled and U turns on some busy highway.

[khunsiam]

you better do: see section 188 of the constitution, which requires royal decree except when restricted to particular area.

Who is able, legally, to enact 188, currently? ... Prayuth is now..

Article 5 of martial law stated that only royal order can revoke the law.

As I said, you really need to read the Constitution and the Law a little better and not just believe all the Thaksin propaganda/misinterpretations of the law . . . Article 5 refers to what happens when Martial Law is to be ended/revoked . . . that requires a Royal Proclamation.

Yes that's what I say, it means that Prayuth does not have the last say about it, that 's all.

[JSixpack]

Coups, floods, extra judicial killing sprees, occupation and burning of buildings in capital, political chaos on the streets, rice policies, corrupt governments, civil war, irrational violence and now martial law.

Sometimes I feel like I'm living in some sort of extra terrestrial soap opera rather than a country.

You know what you should do.

[belg]

does that mean, crowds more than 5 people = illegal

so who is starting the cleanup ? not the police, not the army

so in other words ....nothing changes

thailand, hub of big wind words & empty promisses

[kingstonkid]

Army chief declares martial law

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday declared martial law that covers the entire nation.

The martial law took effect on 3 am immedialtey when it was announced.

Following the martial law declaration, the Army chief issued an order to set up the peacekeeping command to replace the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order. The Army chief is the chief of the peacekeeping command.

The peacekeeping command would have the authority to summon to be interrogated and to hand over documents r evidences to the authorities.

The order, which appointed the command, stated that all government agencies that are parts of the structure of the CAPO, except the Army, Navy and Air Force, must return to their agencies and their normal activities.

The peacekeeping command also has the authority to demand the Internal Security Operations Command, the Royal Thai Police, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Interior Ministry and other government agencies to support their personnel to support the operations of the command.

Reacting to the martial law declaration, Jatuporn Prompan announced that the red shirts would continue their rally at the Utthayan Road.

The People's Democratic Reform Committee announced that it would cancel a planned march Tuesday because of the martial law.

-- The Nation 2014-05-20

Why now???

That is the easiest question to answer.

Courts have ruled that Yingluck and most of her cabinet broke the law.

Chalerm has used what was supposed to be a CAPO to provide restraint and law as a pulpit to try to bully the Courts and anyone against him.

jatuporn is telling people to riot and threatening civil war.

Attacks against government officials and families

Government employees threatening to leave their jobs and bring the country to a halt.

Suthep trying to get his army of people mobilized for a confrontation with the UDD

Oh yeah and governemtn officials supplying weapons to those that suport them

Yep time for someone to step in that is thought by the people to be the only organization for hte people.

What happens next will depend on how smart the PT and PDRC. They can sit down with the military and tell their people to start towing the line and work to resolution or they can push the military further.

it should be interesting.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

The were also saying that the Military has completely surround both the PDRC and Red shirt sites to restrict their movements

The news reports coming via Twitter are saying the Army has told both colors that their protests will be allowed to continue, but must be contained within their existing areas -- Ratchadamnoen, Aksa and Chaengwattana.

[Tatsujin]

Article 5 of martial law stated that only royal order can revoke the law.

As I said, you really need to read the Constitution and the Law a little better and not just believe all the Thaksin propaganda/misinterpretations of the law . . . Article 5 refers to what happens when Martial Law is to be ended/revoked . . . that requires a Royal Proclamation.

Yes that's what I say, it means that Prayuth does not have the last say about it, that 's all.

What the hell are you talking about? Prayuth doesn't have the power to "end" Martial Law is your point? Great. Thanks for that. Anyone who can read can understand that.

[kingalfred]

Soldiers armed of course,situated all along phayathai ,Victory monument to MBK

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Showbags]

All over the Australian media at the moment (Headlines) and they are indicating a coup is about to be performed.

'performing a coup'....is this the new polite friendly Thailand we are seeing emerging ?

[Rorri]

Jip99, on 20 May 2014 - 09:12, said:

Great News!

One step forward to the eventual solution for Thailand.

Really, history proves, for Thailand, after 11 coups, they still haven't managed to find a "solution." It would appear Thailand simplify does not the necessary people to form a stable, honest government.

[Piichai]

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

Not mentioned in the military statements thus far, but something seems to be happening in Bang Na according to PBS.

[Andrewtravels]

Any idea what this will mean for the average tourist? Literally just booked a flight and hotel last week, arriving in Bangkok 7/6. Guessing it'll be fine, but we will see.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Andrewtravels

[noitom]

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.

[MGP]

We're now at 11 pages and running...

Hopefully before we get to 100, someone from the Army will pop up and explain just what, if anything, their imposition of martial law is going to mean for average citizens, Thai and farang alike.

Nothing in the Army's original announcement about curfews or anything like that. Perhaps they don't feel those kinds of measures are necessary.

[Tywais]

Complete Martial Control Act of B.E. 2457 .pdf

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Sunai ‏@sunaibkk 8m

Army is now enforcing censorship on print, broadcast, online media. #Thailand #MartialLaw

Saksith Saiyasombut ‏@Saksith 12m

Army announcement: ”Do not spread news (…)” that can negatively affect security.

Edited May 20, 2014 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[bushwacker]

Damn .... does this mean my email is going to be ruthlessly attacked by AGODA, advertising 100's of super discounted hotel sales.

[Piichai]

We're now at 11 pages and running...

Hopefully before we get to 100, someone from the Army will pop up and explain just what, if anything, their imposition of martial law is going to mean for average citizens, Thai and farang alike.

Nothing in the Army's original announcement about curfews or anything like that. Perhaps they don't feel those kinds of measures are necessary.

It would seem so. Besides dissolving CAPO and requiring the police and Interior Ministries to report to ISOC, the only limits I've seen is restricting rallies to Rachdamnron, Aska, and Chang Wattena.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Piichai

[ATF]

MGP why even bother answering such moronic questions. I would like to know when Thailand was attacked and the Military ran home crying? The Thai Military successfully defended itself against the Vietnamese, Burmese and Communist Lao. It's only defeat and that was partial was in WWII when the British also got their asses kicked from Singapore all the way back to India.

Its off topic so wont discuss in detail here. WW2, Japan then the allies, they lost the same war twice. Partial my arse

Try reading some history not written by the Thai's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand_in_World_War_II

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Bangkok_in_World_War_II

I wouldn't exactly call either of these conclusive defeat.

You and a lot of other posters here have no idea what the Thai Military is capable of and it doesn't involve crying.

[Robby nz]

Thai government not consulted about martial law: PM's aide

BANGKOK, May 20, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's embattled government was not consulted in advance by the military about the declaration of martial law but it is still in power, said the chief security adviser to Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan.

"The caretaker government still exists with Niwattumrong as caretaker prime minister. Everything is normal except the military is responsible for all national security issues," Paradon Pattanatabut told AFP.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-20

First question that came to mind when I saw that headline was "What Government"

But I suppose he means the 26 appointed acting caretaker cabinet ministers who like to pose as some sort of government even though it is extremely questionable that they have any power at all.

The only legal part of a Government that is in place at present is the Senate.

I note once again that in the first part of the statement Niwattumrong has been promoted to PM.

[Pii Kate]

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Suthep, bad monk, Jatuporn and all their hardcore lackeys should go home and take some rest and think about the damage done so far.

Dream on. If they were the kind of people who were capable of self reflection, they would not have committed the insults and crimes they are accused of.

[TimCM]

Any idea what this will mean for the average tourist? Literally just booked a flight and hotel last week, arriving in Bangkok 7/6. Guessing it'll be fine, but we will see.

Don't worry at this stage as we wont know what will happen for a few days yet.

I would suggest checking the T&C of your travel insurance as some exclude marshal law situations. It will most likely be safe for tourists as neither side would want to kill their economy completely