Thailand's army invokes martial law: military TV

[Prbkk]

How will this affect the great party time in BKK?

How will this effect the baht? Yesterday I got 30.17 to the aussie dollar.

Not much movement. The USD is stronger overnight but minimal change for the baht

[Thaiisnotrequired]

This martial law has been on the pipe-line for some months. I just wonder what happened in the background to prompt Prayuth to make a move.......

However, I sincerely hope it is with full intent to finally rid of the Shin Corp, and the rest of the dickheads like Chalerm and Jatuporn for good.

If not, back to square one in 2 months time, after a few gallons of petrol have been wasted on some beautiful buildings.

I wish this time that the red-shirts keep their cool..... ohhhhh wait. Cool and red-shirts don't mix in 1 sentence...

it will kick-off today... not large scale.. but it will... and bigger is coming over the next few days.

I hope Ronnie O-sullivan wins the 2014 World's..... oops too late... my hopes are ALL dashed. :'(

[bkkgooner]

Martial law should never be invoked under any situation, an army that works against the people and becomes a police force completely misses the point they are meant to be the guardians of the country against outside forces, their role is to HELP Thai people not to fight against any of them.

The army have done NOTHING in the past few months and have been utterly ineffective in trying to stop violent attacks, let's see if they even have the balls to go and remove the few guards and the insane monk who have managed to hold onto a gigantic government complex for about 6 months. They have been getting destroyed in the south for years and were really outrageously stupid in 2010 as well.

Absent an effective police force, what choice do they have?

Well since the army own Thailand how about pushing and urging major reform in the police force? But oh wait right if we have an effective police force that would mean less power for the army.

The Thai army has an obscene budget, far too many high ranking soldiers and has proven itself to be utterly inept over and over again. I saw six solders with assault rifles standing about on the street in pairs on my way to work this morning, who are they protecting us from exactly? I just read that the army chief has ordered all government agency chiefs to his army club this morning I didn't realize that martial law meant he was the commander of the country as well as the army.

Go read the list of powers that the army has under martial law it sounds like some sort of weird fascist state from a sci-fi movie.

This declaration is a huge step backwards for Thailand

Edited May 20, 2014 by bkkgooner

[californiabeachboy]

I just talked on Skype with a friend of mine in Bkk, talking about the martial law.

She said "I have a job to do so I am going to work".

Oh how I wish the leaders of Thailand had the same philosophy.

[Thaiisnotrequired]

Sanitsuda Ekachai: "To invoke martial law nationwide, royal decree is mandatory. Prayuth's martial law order illegal then?"

How can the Army-General act illegally? You gonna fight him? You and whose army?

[sfbandung]

My missus is in BKK right now. Flying to Udon this morning staying at Best Western next to Bumrungrad. She is scared to death but she's like that.

I'd really like some info on traffic and whether the military is visible on the streets ...

Traffic will be very light and she should not be scared. She should go to the airport in time as their might be only few taxis. She is safe in her hotel room and even outside.

Thanks TD. She has arrived at Swampy. No problem, you are right about the traffic. She just said plenty of army around.

[Civil War]

I suppose Chalerm and Surapong will be scratching around to see what other of their functions they are entitled to keep a grip on so they can carry on spouting BS to the anti-gov protest movement.

I suppose the UDD have already started working out how to sue Prayuth.

I suppose if you continue to spew out threats of red shirts marching into the streets of BKK and civil wars etc..... the army are going to eventually bite.

Maybe Jattuporn and Nattawut are now also contemplating their bail conditions.

The military basically have the airport clamped down and Aksa road surrounded.... That tells me, this is not about the anti government lot.... This is clearly about taking out the rabid UDD/CAPO which is far more a threat to peace and order.

2010 has come back to haunt you....

Yesterday was the anniversary of the red shirt crackdown.... I am guessing a few wrong things may have slipped off loose tongues on the red stage during that time, and provoked this response.

[Muggi1968]

My Thai wife is happy about this. So I deside to be happy to:-)

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[tezzainoz]

If the military is doing this to protect Suthep, PRDC and the Democrats, the the Red Shirts Pheu Thai and neutral citizens should ask the UN, the US and US army, The Cambodian Army and also armies of other countries that believe in democracy to assists and also at the same time ask all lower rank and file soildiers to commit mutiny and side Democracy. Maybe such an outside military action will once and for all reform Thailand in all aspects ie reform the thai army in that cut down on the number of corrupted and lazy generals and make sure that thailand has an army that reports to a democratically elected government, reform the judicial and court systems to ensure that it is really politically neutral and not corrupted, remove big businesses and politicans that have amassed too much wealth and power thru illegal means or abuse of power (I repeat all politicans from all parties!), reign into control the thai chinese influence in this country,abolish certain outdated laws to ensure that all are equal,abolish all titles in this country, etc, etc

It will also be fun to see the amnart, fat generals and sons of the aristocrats trying to fight a war then by themselves.

I love the saying

The best thing about freedom of speech

Is to allow even a fool to say what he thinks

Then people can see what a fool really sounds like

[MadDog2020]

My missus is in BKK right now. Flying to Udon this morning staying at Best Western next to Bumrungrad. She is scared to death but she's like that.

I'd really like some info on traffic and whether the military is visible on the streets ...

Traffic will be very light and she should not be scared. She should go to the airport in time as their might be only few taxis. She is safe in her hotel room and even outside.

Bang Na area blocked by traffic. 9 lanes stopped. Don't go that way.

Edited May 20, 2014 by MadDog2020

[rosst]

Too early to say if this is a positive or a negative.

If the military now approach each group and tell them to pull their head in and "ask" all who have outstanding warrants to attend police headquarters and be "processed" and released until summoned, it could calm things down.

The Electoral authorities need to set a date for elections and open for nominations and the military ensure their integrity.

If the military oversees the electoral process we may get past this speed hump.

A personal appeal by the King for free and inclusive elections would also help.

[Cnxforever]

Idiotic - martial law all over the country!

There is only a small group of trouble makers in Bangkok! And they are obviously not able / willing to handle them!

Declare martial law in Bangkok and send Suthep where he belongs to in a prison cell!

Great message to send out to the world we can not handle a bunch of loonies roaming around in Bangkok so we declare martial law all over the country!

Next thing is of course the military will ask for a "special budget" of billions to cover their "expenses" to enforce martial law hahaha!

So now political gatherings of more than 5 people are outlawed does Suthep care? - of course not!

Will the military in force the law? Of course not!

Back to square one - after sending the message to the world that we are to stupid to handle a bunch of demonstrators!

Put the criminal Suthep in prison and hold elections!

[wordchild]

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Finally!!! It's so strange to live in a country where it seems the military are better at running the country than the civilians are. I'm glad the military stepped in.

Richard it doesn't seem so, it is so. The best Prime Minister Thailand ever had was Chuan Leekpai. He lived a simple life and brought prosperity to the Country and because he was from the South of Thailand there were hardly ever any problems there.

The Military will just let businesses do their thing unencumbered and not meddle in petty matters. Glad you know the truth.

a great man in many ways!

[scorecard]

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

I can't find that. What channels?

[ATF]

Sanitsuda Ekachai: "To invoke martial law nationwide, royal decree is mandatory. Prayuth's martial law order illegal then?"

How can the Army-General act illegally? You gonna fight him? You and whose army?

The Thai Military swears it's allegiance to the King not the Government. Exactly the same as the UK in fact.

[khunsiam]

Sanitsuda Ekachai: "To invoke martial law nationwide, royal decree is mandatory. Prayuth's martial law order illegal then?"

How can the Army-General act illegally? You gonna fight him? You and whose army?

no royal order means it IS a coup, despite the general denying it.

[scorecard]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Idiotic - martial law all over the country!

There is only a small group of trouble makers in Bangkok! And they are obviously not able / willing to handle them!

Declare martial law in Bangkok and send Suthep where he belongs into in a prison cell!

Great message to send out to the world we can not handle a bunch of loonies roaming around in Bangkok so we declare martial law all over the country!

Next thing is of course the military will ask for a "special budget" of billions to cover their "expenses" to enforce martial law hahaha!

So now political gatherings of more than 5 people are outlawed does Suthep care? - of course not!
Will the military in force the law? Of course not!

Back to square one - after sending the message to the world that we are to stupid to handle a bunch of demonstrators!

Put the criminal Suthep in prison and hold elections!

Just your opinion, and one sided at that. But your entitled to your opinion, many would disagree.

[sfbandung]

My missus is in BKK right now. Flying to Udon this morning staying at Best Western next to Bumrungrad. She is scared to death but she's like that.

I'd really like some info on traffic and whether the military is visible on the streets ...

Traffic will be very light and she should not be scared. She should go to the airport in time as their might be only few taxis. She is safe in her hotel room and even outside.

Probably safer now than before.

I hope she gets her flight OK

All good. She is at Swampy now.

[Tatsujin]

the question: is there a royal order?

Yawn. There doesn't need to be any royal orders or decree's for the Army to impose Martial Law. Go read the Constitution and other laws of Thailand and educate yourself.

[khunsiam]

I suppose Chalerm and Surapong will be scratching around to see what other of their functions they are entitled to keep a grip on so they can carry on spouting BS to the anti-gov protest movement.

I suppose the UDD have already started working out how to sue Prayuth.

I suppose if you continue to spew out threats of red shirts marching into the streets of BKK and civil wars etc..... the army are going to eventually bite.

Maybe Jattuporn and Nattawut are now also contemplating their bail conditions.

The military basically have the airport clamped down and Aksa road surrounded.... That tells me, this is not about the anti government lot.... This is clearly about taking out the rabid UDD/CAPO which is far more a threat to peace and order.

2010 has come back to haunt you....

Yesterday was the anniversary of the red shirt crackdown.... I am guessing a few wrong things may have slipped off loose tongues on the red stage during that time, and provoked this response.

you should 've listened to Suthep's quotes yesterday.

[tezzainoz]

<

first thing arrest Suthep who has caused all this madness... followed swiftly by the fake monk they can share a cell together and practice achieving Samadhi

Firstly, he did not cause the madness. Thaksin and his Government did, but yes, agreed, arrest Suthep and the fake Monk and let them share a cell with Jatuporn, Thaksin, Chalerm, Yingluck and............my oh my they will need a big cell.

Sorry I disagree with you

I would rather you put them inside a Muay Boxing Stadium and let them all go for it

Sell tickets and pay off the unpaid rice farmers

My calculation show their would be enough left over to give all the poor in Thailand 1000 baht

[HUAHIN62]

Martial law but not a coup. Could perhaps give the army more means to prevent shootings as the recently discovered assault rifles were being owned and "protected" by high ranking police officers and government officials.

Pleasant side effect: Jatuporn can be picked up now? He'll be screaming war no doubt. And he was trying to ignite one anyway.

Suthep can also be picked up, two edged sword.

[boomerangutang]

Speaking out of a tin foil and duct tape megaphone he made on the spot, the rag-tag gov't spokesman says:

"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.

....then he fell off his plastic milk crate and peed his pants.

Translated: "everything is normal, except the ship of state has been listing for several months. Just a few holes in the hull, they should be fixed with rolled up newspaper dipped in rice starch. We're trying to steer this blasted ship to a safe harbor, but the darned steering wheel came off. We're making another one from the handlebar of an old mangled tricycle. Bear with us folks, everything is normal."

[kimamey]

Martial law should never be invoked under any situation, an army that works against the people and becomes a police force completely misses the point they are meant to be the guardians of the country against outside forces, their role is to HELP Thai people not to fight against any of them.

The army have done NOTHING in the past few months and have been utterly ineffective in trying to stop violent attacks, let's see if they even have the balls to go and remove the few guards and the insane monk who have managed to hold onto a gigantic government complex for about 6 months. They have been getting destroyed in the south for years and were really outrageously stupid in 2010 as well.

Absent an effective police force, what choice do they have?

Well since the army own Thailand how about pushing and urging major reform in the police force? But oh wait right if we have an effective police force that would mean less power for the army.

The Thai army has an obscene budget, far too many high ranking soldiers and has proven itself to be utterly inept over and over again. I saw six solders with assault rifles standing about on the street in pairs on my way to work this morning, who are they protecting us from exactly? I just read that the army chief has ordered all government agency chiefs to his army club this morning I didn't realize that martial law meant he was the commander of the country as well as the army.

Go read the list of powers that the army has under martial law it sounds like some sort of weird fascist state from a sci-fi movie.

This declaration is a huge step backwards for Thailand

They don't have to use all those powers. Let's hope they don't.

[MILT]

I just talked to my wife's uncle's nephew's wife's sister's little brother and the word is "Jello"

[sfbandung]

My missus is in BKK right now. Flying to Udon this morning staying at Best Western next to Bumrungrad. She is scared to death but she's like that.

I'd really like some info on traffic and whether the military is visible on the streets ...

Traffic will be very light and she should not be scared. She should go to the airport in time as their might be only few taxis. She is safe in her hotel room and even outside.

Bang Na area blocked by traffic. 9 lanes stopped. Don't go that way.

She's at Swampy mate. All good.

[outsider]

Ok... here we go. Hang on for the ride, I guess?

[Thaiisnotrequired]

Looks like Chalerm might need a few drinks this morning. Good riddance if his CAPO gang has gone.

Ahan chow for Chalerm? a 4 pack and an egg, preferably over-turned. ....

[khunsiam]

the question: is there a royal order?

Yawn. There doesn't need to be any royal orders or decree's for the Army to impose Martial Law. Go read the Constitution and other laws of Thailand and educate yourself.

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

[Tatsujin]

This martial law has been on the pipe-line for some months. I just wonder what happened in the background to prompt Prayuth to make a move.......

A few things prompted this:

1. The finding of the assault weapons in the Govt "Minister's" car

2. The anniversary of 2010 yesterday

3. Comments made on the UDD stage yesterday

4. CAPO's continual and persistent efforts to condemn, threaten and intimidate every single agency, body or person who opposes Thaksin's own twisted view of how the world should run