Thai army chief announces military coup

[Piichai]

As far as US aid is concerned, it doesn't matter what Thailand says; it only matters what the US says.

Nothing to debate really.

Think about Obama's response to some recent coups.

What "US aid" are you referring to? Thailand gets little or no US foreign assistance AFAIK.....

I'll think you'll find they're talking military aid. For example a quick google found that the US gave $5,695,000 to Thailand in military aid in 2010 (mmm) Don't how many generals that equates to though................................

It's not just the cash;it's also "education." Quite a bit goes on when the big boats come to town.

I believe it also calls into question arms deals - spare parts, ammunition - I remember the RTA was buying Ukranian(?) APCs with german engines last time, when suddenly the german company wasn't allowed to supply the engines - couldn't get the export license from the german government.

Anyone know what deals could be affected this time?

With regard to spare parts, I believe the US has been transitioning Thailand to buy from local depots. Really caused a problem with Thai F16s.

[chotthee]

Based on the news report above, it sounds like the coup wouldn't necessarily have happened if the current "government" ministers had been willing to step down. But obviously, they weren't.

Army officer tells elected and constitutionally empowered Government to resign.

Er, why should they ?

Because they are corrupted.

[sgtsabai]

Well, the curfew sure is a big pain in the ass. Saved me some money tonight and maybe my marriage...lol. The rest is up to the Thai people, not our business even though it hurts some of our 'business' and not just the farang by a long, long shot, many Thai 'business' effected. Even up here in "red" country the Shin family has lost a lot of support. Tune in tomorrow for the next episode of "As Thailand Turns".

[airconsult]

As far as US aid is concerned, it doesn't matter what Thailand says; it only matters what the US says.

Nothing to debate really.

Think about Obama's response to some recent coups.

What "US aid" are you referring to? Thailand gets little or no US foreign assistance AFAIK.....

I'll think you'll find they're talking military aid. For example a quick google found that the US gave $5,695,000 to Thailand in military aid in 2010 (mmm) Don't how many generals that equates to though................................

It's not just the cash;it's also "education." Quite a bit goes on when the big boats come to town.

I believe it also calls into question arms deals - spare parts, ammunition - I remember the RTA was buying Ukranian(?) APCs with german engines last time, when suddenly the german company wasn't allowed to supply the engines - couldn't get the export license from the german government.

Anyone know what deals could be affected this time?

With regard to spare parts, I believe the US has been transitioning Thailand to buy from local depots. Really caused a problem with Thai F16s.

If that applied to the blackhawks too it comes up with the most reasonable explanation I ever heard for those 3 accidents in 2009? 2010? (can't remember, 2 down in the forest near Laos, one down near cambodia)

[metisdead]

A post in all caps has been removed, turn off your Caps Lock button when posting, repeated postings using all caps will disappear.

[Jack Mountain]

Army chief seizes power when government insists to stay on in power

BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha decided to seize power after head of the caretaker government's team in the dialogue insisted to stay on in power and would not resign.

Kom Chad Luk newspapers quoted an informed source as saying that Gen Prayuth has asked the caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri if the caretaker would step down or not to pave the way for the smooth nomination of an interim prime minister with full power to run the country, he was replied that at the moment the caretaker cabinet wouldn’t resign.

The army chief was then heard to tell the caretaker minister that then he would seize power.

He then told the Election Commission and the Senate to leave the meeting room and other representatives escorted to another room.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/army-chief-seizes-power-government-insists-stay-power/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=army-chief-seizes-power-government-insists-stay-power

-- Thai PBS 2014-05-22

It's an officer that's clear but is it a gentleman?

[sgtsabai]

Who knows what effect it will have with the US government. I've long said they went to sleep on SE Asia. Well we weren't very well liked after blowing up half the place and had to retreat. Big, big mistake in not arming the Thai military and teaching them how to fly the latest. If push comes to shove with China, the US government will regret, of course they are always a 'day late and a dollar short' when it comes to insight. I hope this is solved quickly and without violence, the reds will find themselves up a shit creek without a paddle if they think they can take on the military on Thaksin's orders. The Thai military may not be very good, but..... .

[Barefoot]

CNN mentioned shots being fired into the air only to disperse crowds: "Gunshots were heard Thursday at the site in Bangkok where the Red Shirts have been protesting. A former national security chief described these as warning shots to get the crowd to leave." http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/22/world/asia/thailand-martial-law/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[mania]

CNN mentioned shots being fired into the air only to disperse crowds: "Gunshots were heard Thursday at the site in Bangkok where the Red Shirts have been protesting. A former national security chief described these as warning shots to get the crowd to leave." http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/22/world/asia/thailand-martial-law/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

I actually saw that on TV when it was happening.

4 or 5 soldiers walking down the street firing into the air.

I was hoping they were firing blanks & not live rounds.

bullets fired into the sky come back down with devastating effects

especially in a crowded city

Edited May 22, 2014 by mania

[Just1Voice]

Meet the new boss.

Same as the old boss.

[Dario]

Internet will not close down. Remember banks, ATMs, the stock exchange etc. will not function without internet, so internet stays on.

They can cut it off. It is pretty easy to control all internet traffic. Just think of China.

If you read Thai and stare at the pictures at all TV stations the NPOMC inserts continually a message which reads: "Don't believe any rumors, we will not shut down the Internet."

Moreover, if there was no more Internet, banks and ATMS would have to shut down, all businesses halted, no more supply to gas stations possible, to all 7/11s Tescos, Big C, Makro, etc. etc. etc. would function anymore, complete chaos. And a civil war would start.

Edited May 22, 2014 by Dario

[kimamey]

Well, the curfew sure is a big pain in the ass. Saved me some money tonight and maybe my marriage...lol. The rest is up to the Thai people, not our business even though it hurts some of our 'business' and not just the farang by a long, long shot, many Thai 'business' effected. Even up here in "red" country the Shin family has lost a lot of support. Tune in tomorrow for the next episode of "As Thailand Turns".

I was wondering about their support. I used to see a lot of Thaksin calenders but they seem to have gone. Not a scientific study I know but probably as accurate as many polls we see on here.

[Mister Fixit]

CNA reporting that the military is saying airport travel will be allowed -- but no explanation of how transport is supposed to be arranged.

Those with 'valid' reasons to be on the way to the airport [or work for Thais] are permitted to do so.

Just make sure you/taxi/limo does not try to avoid stopping any road check point; army or police or they will stop you forcibly.

Also for those who are keen to venture out as normal and will return home after curfew IF you are stopped please keep your attitude in check.

Good advice!

And keep your passport in your pocket ...

It's a legal requirement in Thailand to have it with you at all times, but was never enforced - but who knows what will happen now ?

[sirchai]

"In order for the country to return to normal quickly, the National Peace Corps Comedians comprised of the army, the Thai armed forgers, the Royal Air Farts and the motorbike controlled police need to seize "ice" powder as of May 22 at 4.30 pm," army chief Somtham of Lao Khao cha cha said."

​And I was concerned how to get my hamster back and forth every day?-

Edited May 22, 2014 by sirchai

[Showbags]

I wonder if there are millions of people at the moment sitting in front of their telly staring, mesmorised at the static.

[noodle]

When was the last time that a Thai army coup was not a good idea?

And why was it not?

Edited May 22, 2014 by noodle

[a99az]

What can I say other than, I told you so. See my previous posts. Lads it's time to bunker down if you can't leave now. Hear me out this is just the start. Of what could become a real civil unrest.

[kimamey]

I wonder if there are millions of people at the moment sitting in front of their telly staring, mesmorised at the static.

I never watched it anyway but now I'm getting the urge.

[DGIE]

Rival protest leaders at the talks -- held at a heavily guarded military facility in the capital -- were seen being taken away by the army although it was unclear whether they had been formally detained.

it would be nice to see the photo of the scene if there is any

[monkeycountry]

Internet will not close down. Remember banks, ATMs, the stock exchange etc. will not function without internet, so internet stays on.

They can cut it off. It is pretty easy to control all internet traffic. Just think of China.

Of course they can. They can also cut off the power grid and the water supply. My point is they won't cut the internet as that would completely kill the financial system and thereby everything else with it. They can of course block individual websites as in China, but I doubt they will bother.

[sgtsabai]

Nope, I'm sitting here screwing around with this forum, nothing else to do, bored and drinking a beer, hoping like hell I can drink enough to get to sleep. Had it not been for the curfew I would still be in town trying to get my head around the chick I had been with in the past that has been off with a Japanese guy (it's all about the money, money, money honey) for the past month that was all over me tonight, and I rudely <deleted>#ked off. Hey this is fantasy land and we are just the paying visitors, sit back and enjoy the show. It is just abbreviated nightly a bit for now. No, I don't care what you sanctimonious folks say, most of you didn't meet your wife in the Wat either...lol.

[Thai at Heart]

CNN just did a live interview with a former CIA spook based in Bangkok who runs a political risk consultancy. He said this coup is quite different from the 2006 coup in that the army deployment is truly broad nation-wide, and that his sources tell him the army has mobilized in a big way in Khon Kaen, NE Thailand, and in the north.

This one might just be more serious and last longer than the last one.

I know for a fact that the army has always been very worried to deploy in isaan because of the fear of retaliation. Maybe they made sure that everyone was just bored to death of Suthep first.

[a99az]

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Oh man. And they were doing so well. Guess they couldn't resist the cookie jar once they got so close. This shows that no progress has been made or is planning on being made in politics and the military can basically take over whenever they want to regardless of laws or government.

Way to prove all the critics right! I was hoping for so much better.

It was a no brainer man this was always on the cards. Now I wonder, if Prayut Chan-O-Cha will be arrested at the end of the day and put on trial? He should be!

[sirchai]

What can I say other than, I told you so. See my previous posts. Lads it's time to bunker down if you can't leave now. Hear me out this is just the start. Of what could become a real civil unrest.

Thanks, we all already know that you've got enough incense sticks for the rest of the century.

[attrayant]

Moreover, if there was no more Internet, banks and ATMS would have to shut down, all businesses halted, no more supply to gas stations possible, to all 7/11s Tescos, Big C, Makro, etc. etc. etc. would function anymore, complete chaos.

These businesses all have private leased lines; they don't use the public Internet for their data communications traffic.

[balo]

TOT still working here, in fact it seems faster than normal !

Will they cut the lines after midnight ?

[citizen33]

Here are a couple of not entirely conclusive updates from the BBC website.

17:22:

The EU has now expressed "extreme concern" at the day's developments. In a statement, it says: "The military must accept and respect the constitutional authority of the civilian power as a basic principle of democratic governance." The EU also called for "credible and inclusive elections as soon as feasible".

16:59:BREAKING NEWS:

The US Department of Defense says it will "review military assistance and engagements with Thailand" as a result of the military takeover, reports Reuters

Also mention here of what the Dept of Defense said so far:

http://www.trust.org/item/20140522161014-d1wwb

Edited May 22, 2014 by citizen33

[monkeycountry]

Moreover, if there was no more Internet, banks and ATMS would have to shut down, all businesses halted, no more supply to gas stations possible, to all 7/11s Tescos, Big C, Makro, etc. etc. etc. would function anymore, complete chaos.

These businesses all have private leased lines; they don't use the public Internet for their data communications traffic.

They all use the public internet protocols to communicate, no matter what kind of line they have. Edited May 22, 2014 by monkeycountry

[attrayant]

No, they don't. I guarantee you that banks are not sending highly confidential financial data over the public internet.

Edited May 22, 2014 by attrayant

[sjaak327]

Nice. The militairy is running the country again. Time and time they have shown they suck at it big time. Yet they still feel the need to stick their noses where it doesn't belong.

I guess the next failed attempt at a constitution will have a 50% appointed lower house as god forbid the Thai people have any say in who actually runs their country.

Thailand, once again the laughing stuck and once again the will of the Thai voters is absolutely inconsequential.

I am surprised there are still people who defend these morons, they are well and truly beyond that.