Thai govt calls emergency meeting to respond to martial law

[webfact]

Govt Calls Emergency Meeting To Respond To Martial Law
By Khaosod English

Soldiers surround Redshirt rally on Aksa Avenue after martial law was declared this morning, 20 May 2014.

BANGKOK — The government is urgently convening a meeting to draft a formal response to the Royal Thai Army’s unexpected pre-dawn declaration of martial law on Tuesday, a top official said.

Suranand Vejjajiva, secretary to the caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn, said the Cabinet is currently meeting to discuss the developing situation and will announce a formal response later in the day. He did not say where the meeting is being held.

Martial law, which grants the military “superior power over the civil authority” in matters of maintaining public order, was declared at 3:00 a.m. this morning by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army and chairman of the recently-installed Peace and Security Operations Command (PSOC).

The military has ordered representatives from all state agencies to attend a 2:00 p.m. meeting this afternoon at military bases across the country.

This morning, security forces were seen clearing anti-government protesters out of the Government House, taking control of major intersections, surrounding the Redshirt rally on Aksa avenue, and entering the residences of a number of Cabinet members, including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

The army has also shut down a number of politicized TV stations, including Asia Update and Blue Sky TV.

However, daily life for most Thais proceeded as normal this morning, and so far the military presence in Bangkok is considered “light.”

Almost 30 people have died since the most recent bout of political unrest ignited in Thailand last November.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1400563343&section=11&typecate=06


-- Khaosod English 2014-05-20

[geriatrickid]

Seems even handed so far, although some tvfers relied on blue sky for the latest updates from Suthep. Must have been a relief to the anti government supporters to be relieved of their guarding of government house. Now they can go back to Surat Thani and phuket and extort the farangs and make up for their lost earnings

[lungmi]

Seems even handed so far, although some tvfers relied on blue sky for the latest updates from Suthep. Must have been a relief to the anti government supporters to be relieved of their guarding of government house. Now they can go back to Surat Thani and phuket and extort the farangs and make up for their lost earnings

the shyster has a new topic.

[Scamper]

" ... entering the residences of a number of Cabinet members, including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung "

​This is will be a curious story to follow. In the meantime, one would have loved to have seen Chalerm's expression captured by Khaosod for posterity.

" The army has also shut down a number of politicized TV stations, including Asia Update and Blue Sky TV. "

Good old Khaosod. They fail to mention the highly politicized UDD networks that were also shut down. Likely an oversight. They tend to be so fastidious about these things.

[ramrod711]

Martial law, which grants the military superior power over the civil authority in matters of maintaining public order, was declared at 3:00 a.m. this morning by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army and chairman of the recently-installed Peace and Security Operations Command (PSOC).

A certain irony in the timing of this action, the amnesty bill that was the beginning of the protests was voted on at 04:00 hours, the eventual response to the emergency that PTP created came at 03:00 hours, you have to get up early to keep on top of events in Thailand.

[Robby nz]

Don't see many, any, reds in the photo, possibly hasn't got to photoshop yet.

No doubt the "Entering the houses of cabinet ministers" is to do with the weapons find yesterday

There have been stories circulating about the raid on Chalerms house and what was found there.

Here is confirmation about the raid, we wait to see if the rest is true.

I note that unlike CAPO and the police the army aren't broadcasting what they are going to do, just do it, surprise, surprise.

[h90]

"including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung"

he was removed from office.....

Ex-caretaker labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

Now he is Earmedicine Minister.

[Asiantravel]

The following comment was posted in Thailand news thread

" Suthep, using Facebook webpage, urges Senate to propose name of interim PM; PDRC protesters stay at rally site, stage opens 24 hours /MCOT "

As the General has confirmed the caretaker government should remain in place , the Senate would no longer be able to claim it has the power to propose an interim PM without the military prior approval? So this in theory should shut up Suthep and the group of senators? Is that correct?

[pedro01]

"including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung"

he was removed from office.....

Ex-caretaker labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

Now he is Earmedicine Minister.

I wonder if he was there - asking people if they knew who he was???

[chainarong]

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

" ... entering the residences of a number of Cabinet members, including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung "

​This is will be a curious story to follow. In the meantime, one would have loved to have seen Chalerm's expression captured by Khaosod for posterity.

" The army has also shut down a number of politicized TV stations, including Asia Update and Blue Sky TV. "

Good old Khaosod. They fail to mention the highly politicized UDD networks that were also shut down. Likely an oversight. They tend to be so fastidious about these things.

Is there a legal government according to the constitution or are these has beans playing a game, I thought the EC was running Thailand. , Scamper

[Piichai]

The following comment was posted in Thailand news thread

" Suthep, using Facebook webpage, urges Senate to propose name of interim PM; PDRC protesters stay at rally site, stage opens 24 hours /MCOT "

As the General has confirmed the caretaker government should remain in place , the Senate would no longer be able to claim it has the power to propose an interim PM without the military prior approval? So this in theory should shut up Suthep and the group of senators? Is that correct?

No.

[h90]

The following comment was posted in Thailand news thread

" Suthep, using Facebook webpage, urges Senate to propose name of interim PM; PDRC protesters stay at rally site, stage opens 24 hours /MCOT "

As the General has confirmed the caretaker government should remain in place , the Senate would no longer be able to claim it has the power to propose an interim PM without the military prior approval? So this in theory should shut up Suthep and the group of senators? Is that correct?

Did he say that the caretaker government SHOULD remain in place? I recall only that he said that it isn't a coup and the government remains in place. Meaning, if the senate appoints a different government than this new government remains in place.

[jennywren]

The following comment was posted in Thailand news thread

" Suthep, using Facebook webpage, urges Senate to propose name of interim PM; PDRC protesters stay at rally site, stage opens 24 hours /MCOT "

As the General has confirmed the caretaker government should remain in place , the Senate would no longer be able to claim it has the power to propose an interim PM without the military prior approval? So this in theory should shut up Suthep and the group of senators? Is that correct?

No.

I think it is right. and lining up against the Army already today were Time, NYT, Reuters, AlJazz, BBC, US State Dept. and next up EU who are convening emergency meeting on it.

Won't happen as it can't last. Appointing anybody without elections will make it much worse.

Army ain't seen nothing yet. Once they install themselves, they'll find themselves on the back foot for the entire period they manage to cling onto power for.

Same as always, they don't have the nubmer

[smedly]

" ... entering the residences of a number of Cabinet members, including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung "

​This is will be a curious story to follow. In the meantime, one would have loved to have seen Chalerm's expression captured by Khaosod for posterity.

" The army has also shut down a number of politicized TV stations, including Asia Update and Blue Sky TV. "

Good old Khaosod. They fail to mention the highly politicized UDD networks that were also shut down. Likely an oversight. They tend to be so fastidious about these things.

the expression on his face was nothing compared to the load he dropped in his underpants when he saw the army coming through the front gate armed to the teeth

[Piichai]

The following comment was posted in Thailand news thread

" Suthep, using Facebook webpage, urges Senate to propose name of interim PM; PDRC protesters stay at rally site, stage opens 24 hours /MCOT "

As the General has confirmed the caretaker government should remain in place , the Senate would no longer be able to claim it has the power to propose an interim PM without the military prior approval? So this in theory should shut up Suthep and the group of senators? Is that correct?

No.

I think it is right. and lining up against the Army already today were Time, NYT, Reuters, AlJazz, BBC, US State Dept. and next up EU who are convening emergency meeting on it.

Won't happen as it can't last. Appointing anybody without elections will make it much worse.

Army ain't seen nothing yet. Once they install themselves, they'll find themselves on the back foot for the entire period they manage to cling onto power for.

Same as always, they don't have the nubmer

The odds are low the military will install themselves. More likely they'll prop up the Senate, if PTP doesn't resign first.

Re-read what the US State Department said. I don't think it's as damning as you would have us believe.

[FangFerang]

To make this even stranger, a Phuket online newspaper said the army called the meeting at all the provinces, not the government -- or maybe they are separate meetings?

Every time I am convinced things cannot get any weirder, I am again proven wrong.

[fab4]

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

" ... entering the residences of a number of Cabinet members, including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung "

​This is will be a curious story to follow. In the meantime, one would have loved to have seen Chalerm's expression captured by Khaosod for posterity.

" The army has also shut down a number of politicized TV stations, including Asia Update and Blue Sky TV. "

Good old Khaosod. They fail to mention the highly politicized UDD networks that were also shut down. Likely an oversight. They tend to be so fastidious about these things.

Is there a legal government according to the constitution or are these has beans playing a game, I thought the EC was running Thailand. , Scamper

You're not expecting a reply are you?

[fab4]

" ... entering the residences of a number of Cabinet members, including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung "

​This is will be a curious story to follow. In the meantime, one would have loved to have seen Chalerm's expression captured by Khaosod for posterity.

" The army has also shut down a number of politicized TV stations, including Asia Update and Blue Sky TV. "

Good old Khaosod. They fail to mention the highly politicized UDD networks that were also shut down. Likely an oversight. They tend to be so fastidious about these things.

the expression on his face was nothing compared to the load he dropped in his underpants when he saw the army coming through the front gate armed to the teeth

Perhaps you could give us all an update on sutheps whereabouts. He's got the cojones to face up to the army hasn't he?

[FangFerang]

I wonder if this means that the PDRC final final final final battle really is the final battle.

Maybe now we can hear a discussion about reforms that involves information, instead of the vague notions the PDRC keeps touting.

Most of my friends and associates want reforms, but they speak in concrete terms, including representational voting in parliament and changes to the charter that will not allow after-midnight legislation.

Amazingly, to some people here on TVF, these are things that the reds I know want. Yes, some of them read books, just as there are violent yellows. Duh.

Hasty generalizations about large groups of people are the worst kind of intellectual laziness.

Edited May 20, 2014 by FangFerang

[Piichai]

To make this even stranger, a Phuket online newspaper said the army called the meeting at all the provinces, not the government -- or maybe they are separate meetings?

Every time I am convinced things cannot get any weirder, I am again proven wrong.

It's pretty obvious the government is not in charge at the moment.

[Robby nz]

" ... entering the residences of a number of Cabinet members, including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung "

​This is will be a curious story to follow. In the meantime, one would have loved to have seen Chalerm's expression captured by Khaosod for posterity.

" The army has also shut down a number of politicized TV stations, including Asia Update and Blue Sky TV. "

Good old Khaosod. They fail to mention the highly politicized UDD networks that were also shut down. Likely an oversight. They tend to be so fastidious about these things.

the expression on his face was nothing compared to the load he dropped in his underpants when he saw the army coming through the front gate armed to the teeth

Perhaps you could give us all an update on sutheps whereabouts. He's got the cojones to face up to the army hasn't he?

He;s still in the same place with his people.

Tell us where Jatuporn is, haven't heard a peep from him.

Wonder if his house was raided to.

[h90]

To make this even stranger, a Phuket online newspaper said the army called the meeting at all the provinces, not the government -- or maybe they are separate meetings?

Every time I am convinced things cannot get any weirder, I am again proven wrong.

It's pretty obvious the government is not in charge at the moment.

The government never was in charge. Even when they were in charge, the man in Dubai was in charge.

[FangFerang]

To make this even stranger, a Phuket online newspaper said the army called the meeting at all the provinces, not the government -- or maybe they are separate meetings?

Every time I am convinced things cannot get any weirder, I am again proven wrong.

It's pretty obvious the government is not in charge at the moment.

This all seems to bring the fun back to dysfunctional.

Some details baffle me. Why didn't the courts boot the whole cabinet? What kind of idiot threatens General Prayuth and his family? Why did Suthep declare he was going to do whatever wanted, if the Senate liked it or not?

When the whole fiasco started, and Suthep made a protest about secret after-midnight legislation -- I said"Good!"

But for the last month I have been saying "Good god!" Threatening to kidnap cabinet members, sitting in government house as a self-appointed people power broker...and the other side (shipping automatic weapons to Bangkok?), Chalerm and Jutaporn taking turns as the worst examples of Thai leadership since the Burmese invaded Ayutthaya. Even a good fiction writer could not have made this good enough for me to suspend my disbelief.

I am glad the General put his boot down. Whoever killed those two children are scum. Whoever ripped off the rice pledging scheme are thieves of the worst kind. He is telling both sides in no uncertain terms to play nice or piss off. General Prayuth is my new favorite person, and he could have staged a coup. He could have. Because of many reasons, he did not.

Sorry for venting, but both sides are so dirty in this whole thing that I think no one can ever separate the truth from the lies......and it sucks. Thais are very kind to me, and polite. They are a unique and beautiful people, in my opinion.

They deserve much better than the current group of asinine leaders on both sides.

Edited May 20, 2014 by FangFerang

[gabruce]

The following comment was posted in Thailand news thread

" Suthep, using Facebook webpage, urges Senate to propose name of interim PM; PDRC protesters stay at rally site, stage opens 24 hours /MCOT "

As the General has confirmed the caretaker government should remain in place , the Senate would no longer be able to claim it has the power to propose an interim PM without the military prior approval? So this in theory should shut up Suthep and the group of senators? Is that correct?

No.

I think it is right. and lining up against the Army already today were Time, NYT, Reuters, AlJazz, BBC, US State Dept. and next up EU who are convening emergency meeting on it.

Won't happen as it can't last. Appointing anybody without elections will make it much worse.

Army ain't seen nothing yet. Once they install themselves, they'll find themselves on the back foot for the entire period they manage to cling onto power for.

Same as always, they don't have the nubmer

and if the army calms things down and organizes elections (or at least moves things along so the EC gets the elections organized) in a reasonably expeditious timeframe, then I think thailand will mostly be very happy. Time to wait and see.

[Gweiloman]

I think it is right. and lining up against the Army already today were Time, NYT, Reuters, AlJazz, BBC, US State Dept. and next up EU who are convening emergency meeting on it.

Won't happen as it can't last. Appointing anybody without elections will make it much worse.

Army ain't seen nothing yet. Once they install themselves, they'll find themselves on the back foot for the entire period they manage to cling onto power for.

Same as always, they don't have the nubmer

and if the army calms things down and organizes elections (or at least moves things along so the EC gets the elections organized) in a reasonably expeditious timeframe, then I think thailand will mostly be very happy. Time to wait and see.

Absolutely. The EC cannot now use the lame excuse of protests preventing elections as there won't be any protestors blocking the inevitable elections. Well done, Gen Prayuth.

[Asiantravel]

The following comment was posted in Thailand news thread

" Suthep, using Facebook webpage, urges Senate to propose name of interim PM; PDRC protesters stay at rally site, stage opens 24 hours /MCOT "

As the General has confirmed the caretaker government should remain in place , the Senate would no longer be able to claim it has the power to propose an interim PM without the military prior approval? So this in theory should shut up Suthep and the group of senators? Is that correct?

No.

why ? The general has only talked about the caretaker government. He hasnt mentioned anything about the Senators having power over him ?

Martial law is the imposition of military power over designated regions on an emergency basis.

Martial law is usually imposed on a temporary basis when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively (e.g., maintain order and security, or provide essential services). In full-scale martial law, the highest-ranking military officer would take over, or be installed, as the military governor or as head of the government, thus removing all power from the previous executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.^[1]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_law

Edited May 20, 2014 by Asiantravel

[WhizBang]

I note that unlike CAPO and the police the army aren't broadcasting what they are going to do, just do it, surprise, surprise.

That's way it SHOULD be done. No advance warning to give time to clear out.

[Baerboxer]

" ... entering the residences of a number of Cabinet members, including Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung "

​This is will be a curious story to follow. In the meantime, one would have loved to have seen Chalerm's expression captured by Khaosod for posterity.

" The army has also shut down a number of politicized TV stations, including Asia Update and Blue Sky TV. "

Good old Khaosod. They fail to mention the highly politicized UDD networks that were also shut down. Likely an oversight. They tend to be so fastidious about these things.

the expression on his face was nothing compared to the load he dropped in his underpants when he saw the army coming through the front gate armed to the teeth

Perhaps you could give us all an update on sutheps whereabouts. He's got the cojones to face up to the army hasn't he?

Miaow! A tad sensitive?

Or perhaps you believe Dr. Pol. Capt Chalerm to be a politician and statesman of high ability, ethics and morals? Someone fit to be in a leading government position?

Well, do you?

[soalbundy]

Seems even handed so far, although some tvfers relied on blue sky for the latest updates from Suthep. Must have been a relief to the anti government supporters to be relieved of their guarding of government house. Now they can go back to Surat Thani and phuket and extort the farangs and make up for their lost earnings

the shyster has a new topic.

i do hope not,the last sentence was a little bit......what shall i say to remain polite.....stupid?

[love1012]

Seems even handed so far, although some tvfers relied on blue sky for the latest updates from Suthep. Must have been a relief to the anti government supporters to be relieved of their guarding of government house. Now they can go back to Surat Thani and phuket and extort the farangs and make up for their lost earnings

Haha - maybe your better off in Buriram eh geriatric............the services you require are probably always going to be cheaper there too!!