Thai army chief announces military coup

[F430murci]

There goes the neighborhood and perhaps Thailand as we know it for a while.

[outre99]

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.

What are you talking about? This is progress Thai style. The naughty children have been throwing tantrums for the last year. Finally the adults sit them down and asked them to behave. When the children refused they were sent to bed without their desert.

I aplaud the general for the balsy move a few weeks before his retirement. This is the example of duty to the country and its people. Thailand would have been a better place if more of its leaders showed the same.

[Mango Bob]

So when is the General going to pay the rice farmers?

[botti]

That happened without any warning, amazing Thailand....

A coup with warning. Have you seen that before ???

[Jip99]

Thailand WOULD be ready for democracy IF the fugitive would leave her alone to `BE democratic!!!

I disagree having observed both sides and how they deal with Democracy. Both of which have no idea. I vote military rule.

~I respect that view but I want to see a day when my country CAN have a fair democratic election without buying, interference, threats and a dictatorship. Thaksin is a THOROUGHLY unpleasant person who will sink to any level to gain power and control. Murders, theft, arson are on his list of ok to do if it benefits ME - take him OUT of the equation and thailand CAN vote for people who genuinely WANT to run the country for the benefit of the majority!!

I agree with that sentiment 100% but I fear they are not yet ready to vote freely and understand what they are voting for - nevertheless, I would take a flawed democracy over any other permanent solution anyday.

What is important is that reforms are introduced before power is handed back to the people. For now, military control seems the best option.

[paully]

Anybody think this will effect my swampi international flight out of Thailand tomorrow morning?

No, but you might find your seat taken by a Shinawatra or two..

[Hulkster]

I hope democracy prevails.

I hope one day every citizen will be entitled to vote and entitled to have that vote recognised.

And I hope all Thais who have been denied civil rights use any means possible to force the tyrannical ruling elite to respect their civil rights.

Whatever it takes, whatever is lost, they must fight. It's the only thing that matters.

[seajae]

wonder how many ptp/reds wil try to leave the country all of a sudden, the threat of jail hanging over their heads might prove too much for some especially now that the books can be looked at, will be an interesting period I would think. Somehow I dont think the general will take any sh*t from anyone and we may see things well and truly sorted at last much to the displeasure of some

[Ruin]

Deja vu

[Snig27]

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How's things in that parallel universe you inhabit? Sky got pink spots?

This is about pulling them all into line. Prayuth famously dislikes Suthep intensely. Although maybe not in your part of the cosmos ....

[botti]

So when is the General going to pay the rice farmers?

He should - as an exception - ask the previous government to fulfil their - never kept - promises

[thamteak]

Watching Suthep be lead away in handcuffs would be like some sort of wet dream.

[AloisAmrein]

No holidays in a military dictatorship, I cancel may holidays in Thailand and I go to the Philippines.

[Dario]

man, what happens now? So there will be an interim government installed, elections in say 6-9 months, some red/Thaksin proxy party back in blah blah rinse and repeat

Interim government? Heavens no, the army is in charge, didn't you read?

[RichBKK]

Goody goody gumdrops

So we will have this system in place till another election is called, another shit remote control government will be elected who will proceed to happy a***hole around with mad neo-communist and badly thought through populist policies and then a year or two later we have some more protests and hey presto...lets go round again

How novel

[CockneyGit]

So after 8 years, we've gone full circle and are are back to square one.

Brilliant!

[ThomasHOL]

so Thailand is back to square one Again!

They will never have a functioning democracy as long as they keep acting like this. Belive it or not I actually feel that the red vs orange is necessary for Thailand to move forward. Yes there are unrests now but as long as the top 1% of a country decides everything nothing good will happen.

[BigRick]

I guess you really can't call yourself a Thai expat until you go through a coup. Took 4 years but now I am an expat!

[Strangebrew]

I wish a quick and smooth return to a real Democracy And I hope the military see the best way to heal Thailand is to Arrest Thaskin and put him in a cell so remote that they have to pump sunlight into him.

[than]

It's sad for democracy but necessary for the country

When the Country is in impasse, Army must to help it to go forward

[Strangebrew]

I wish a quick and smooth return to a real Democracy And I hope the military see the best way to heal Thailand is to Arrest Thaskin and put him in a cell so remote that they have to pump sunlight into him.

[Snig27]

Some of you just couldn't get it through your skulls than this being nothing other than a coup.

The couldn't break the PTP by choking Bangkok, they couldn't break the PTP by blocking the election, they couldn't break the PTP through a judicial coup, so the scoundrels have resorted to a military coup.

Get it through your heads. There will be no election. The military/yellows will run the country indefinitely.

Guerrilla warfare will become the norm in Bangkok. It's the only way if Thais in the north and north-east of the country want to retain their civil rights.

`Even NOW you won't stop with your red garbage will you - why don't you go back to your own country and let us take the steps we need to build democracy properly. Killing 28 people women and children and carrying out illegal illegitimate elections for the benefit of a criminal who thirsts for his dictatorship is NOT DEMOCRACY!!! Give us fair elections where ALL candidates can stand in all regions safely and people can decide for themselves who to vote for and i will talk to you about civil rights!!

And yet every independent organisation that has looked at the elections that PT won has concluded that they were largely clean and fair. You obviously have other information - care to share it? (and "I know" is not enough).

[IamNoone88]

Well Suthep was wrong. It wasn't over on May 27th. Try 22nd May! Lock them all up. They have collectively brough shame, disgrace and economic ruin with their games.

[Fat Haggis]

Michael Yon is reporting of clashes at Aksa between the UDD and the Army, is anyone able to confirm ?

[Prbkk]

Someone made a lot of money shorting the Baht.

[Utley]

As if nobody seen that coming!! I wonder what that means for the PDRC and UDD protest groups? Get off the streets now and go home??

This is a Ballsy move by Prayuth indeed..

It means that the PDRC will be asked to form a new government.

[Pralaad]

Will they let Suthep out for his victory party or will they keep him in custody in the army camp?

You are not seriously posting this?? I guess you have assimilated into red way of thinking.

Suthep organised and planned this with perfect execution.

There is a reason why army took over all the arrest warrants under revision .

There is a reason why Suthep stated the exact date he would surrender.

There is another party in play who is silent now but will pop up on the radar very shortly if I am right

[mania]

Channel News Asia has some great coverage in English now

what channel is this on True?

Channel 40 & also BBC now on 41

Not sure of service provider as condo based but I think WETV?

[daveAustin]

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

Like what? What was the way out, Sherlock? There wasn't one, no comprise will ever come from T and his bought minions. His influence and grip on this country has screwed it no end and it must be diluted for it to move on--look at the state it's in today, look at the cost of things!

There will be blood spilt because of this, no doubt, but that would have happened anyway.

Sorry, but this is the only way at this time in this part of the world. The 'democracy' touted by that government was a complete sham.

[realfunster]

BREAKING : Channel News Asia reporting bomb exploded at Army Club !