Thai coup brings mix of relief and anxiety

[Lite Beer]

Thai coup brings mix of relief and anxiety

by Apilaporn VECHAKIJ

BANGKOK, May 22, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's military coup was met with both jubilation and dismay by rival sides of Thailand's political divide, but for most Bangkok residents the more prosaic concern of getting home safely before a night-time curfew dominated.

Commuters rushed through the city's congested streets as public transport prepared to shut down ahead of the army-ordered curfew which came into force at 10 pm local time (1500 GMT).

"I'm afraid the BTS (skytrain) will close," said 33-year-old Waritha Muensri, hurrying to an overground train station in the commercial heart of the city.

"I'm not scared of the curfew... even though there is the coup, the (political) problems are still there."

Bangkok's traffic-snarled roads were more congested than usual as taxis did a roaring trade ferrying workers home, prompting the national airline to warn passengers to head to the airport early for their flights.

Even the ubiquitous 24-hour convenience stores shuttered early until the curfew is lifted at 5 am on Friday.

The coup and curfew also left tourists rattled.

"I want to be safe in my hostel before 10 pm," said Katinka Nauta, a 22-year-old Dutch student on her first day in Bangkok.

"I'm shocked how quiet everything is, there are no tourists. It's a bit scary. I've never experienced anything like this before."

But among Thais there was little visible evidence of tension in a laid-back city accustomed to curfews, coups and political turmoil.

And there was only a smattering of soldiers and police on the streets, which have hosted nearly seven months of sometimes deadly protests by anti-government demonstrators.

- Protesters leave camp -

Announcing a military coup, the army chief said he was pressed to act by the political turmoil and rising fear of widespread violence after gun and grenades attacks which left at least 28 people dead and hundreds more wounded.

The move was greeted with jubilation by anti-government protesters who watched the televised announcement on a big screen at a sand-bagged encampment around Government House in the city's historic heart.

They were busily dismantling tents and food stalls following army orders to disperse, with those from out of Bangkok told they would be sent back to their homes in army buses later on Thursday night.

"I'm happy... we have won. The army has done a great job for us. This is our victory. We can go home now," Sasilak Srisonboon, 55, told AFP as she walked out of the Government House protest site.

Others were more circumspect.

Bussayamas Rarsiam said she was willing to abide by the army edict but warned that she wanted reforms to exorcise Thailand of billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who they accuse of poisoning the kingdom with money politics and corruption.

"We're going now... but if the army do not bring reforms we will come out again," the 50-year-old said, before conceding she was "glad to be going home."

But for pro-government supporters the coup confirmed fears they have voiced since October when protesters began their campaign to topple an administration elected by voters mostly from the north and northeast of the country.

At a Red Shirt rally on the outskirts of Bangkok an AFP reporter saw a woman in tears screaming at soldiers who arrived in droves shortly after the coup announcement to break up the rally.

Among a slew of televised announcements Thursday evening, an army spokesman said international airline passengers and shift workers were exempted from the curfew while schools and universities will close across the country on Friday.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-22

[EricBerg]

The coup doesn't only bring relief and anxiety. It brings hope too.

Tarit and Chalerm who tried to threaten everybody with arrests for treason if they showed sympathy for the protest movement, were on top of the corruption piramid. Now most of the leaders are locked up.

Best start of the cleanup is at the top. All the lesser authorities will see what they are facing if they don't fast cleanup their acts. The same time normal people are encouraged to report corruption and try to fight it. The examples are being set now.

Why else were the only results in fighting the shootings and bombings made by the army? The police were/are on the payroll of the missunderstood fugitive. How is it possible they hardly had any results in 7 months? Reporting suspicious stuff to the police was equal to try to commit suicide. Now people will feel safe to report things they think are wrong to the military.

Would be lovely if the missunderstood fugitive can be brought to justice too. But first revoke his diplomatic passport. It's an outrage that that criminal got one.

The coup brings hope. Let the bad guys pay for their doings. Make room for others. It's a process that will take time. But things are on the move.

Bravo Prayuth!

[kurtgruen]

Thank you, PDRC and members of the Democratic Party, for hanging in so long and for making so many sacrifices, in order to get rid of Thaksin's cronies. Our thanks to the military and General Prayuth, for finally stepping in and stopping the bloodshed.

Let's hope that Thailand will move on, in a positive way after all this. Long Live the King! Long Live Thailand!

MLLH&R

[waza]

Thank you, PDRC and members of the Democratic Party, for hanging in so long and for making so many sacrifices, in order to get rid of Thaksin's cronies. Our thanks to the military and General Prayuth, for finally stepping in and stopping the bloodshed.

Let's hope that Thailand will move on, in a positive way after all this. Long Live the King! Long Live Thailand!

MLLH&R

Dont forget to thank Jutaporn, Thida and other redshirt leaders for threatening a civil war and smuggling weapons of war into Bangkok. Thaksin for letting loose his dogs of war. The PTP puppets for doggedly holding on to power, pushing the amnesty bill, implementing the rice and car scam and being so inept and corrupt. Also dont forget the redshirts for being the best fanatical violent thugs that Thaksin's money could buy.

Edited May 22, 2014 by waza

[shigoxin]

Finally we must accept Suthep win

[sjaak327]

And after all of this, in a few years or so, the next election will bring the same people to power. And as a true democrat that is the only thing that counts.

The miltairy should be kept miles away from power, as the are absolutely unfit for the task and are not legally entitled to it.

I hope the Thai people will keep their right to decide who governs them, as they have shown time and time again, it isn't the people now running the show.

[beautifulthailand99]

Weep tears for Thailand - weep tears for the stooped old lady planting rice in 40 degree sun for 300 baht a day , weep tears for the poor , dispossessed toiling sons and and daughters of Thailand who are taught they are born and live in paradise - no foreign shores retirement and bar stool barracks for them - days grind on endlessly and now they know they just don't count - so they must keep their heads down and pray for a better rebirth - coz it sure ain't happening in this one.

One day on one of my walks around Bangkok I happened upon Sirajaj Hospital and was wondering round and took a shortcut through a building which turned out to be the AE admissions - or should I say a corridor filled with trollies of the dying and surrounded by saddened loved ones as they saw their kith and kin slipping away and harassed overworked doctors and nurses rushing around trying to halt this tide of dying humanity. It was then that I truly understood this place and what it means to have no money and live on the edge.

This song's for you ...

[wealth]

the problem lies much deeper as it seems and this why they arrest leaders of both camps. This coup is so much different from all I have experienced before. The main reason's still the same. - CORRUPTION!!!

Will we experience a real change? The hopes are high.

Until now, goverment positions were handeled as "SWITCHBOARD OF CORRUPTIONS". Only this time, the manipulators even abused more than ever before. In fact the anti goverment movement wasn't really to bring corruption to a halt but to get ontu the SWITCHBOARD again in one way or another.

Will corruption be tackled now? Technically it's possible.

Edited May 22, 2014 by wealth

[SamMunich]

The bad aspect is, that it needed the military (again) to intervene in order to get things sorted out,- at least temporarily. The positive aspect I guess is the population and business are glad the poitical stalemate is over and everybody hopes to get back to a regular life or business.

As for democracy, this is a step back for some time. Let's hope not too long, but long enough to make it impossible to create such an awkward situation again. If the military can achieve (can you call than a military achievement?) this, the military will be the sweetheart of most Thais for a long time to come.

As for the elections, both sides, red and yellow (to put it simple) are eager for elections, but the reds think they are the substance of democracy, as they can gain from elections, while the yellows want free, fair, common and secret elections, like as the international standard calls for. Without outrageous election promises or promises that are gains only for some but a (tax) burden for others.

And let's all hope, this will reign in the corruption, which is like a blood-sucker on the national development of all Thais.

[Phatcharanan]

Weep tears for Thailand - weep tears for the stooped old lady planting rice in 40 degree sun for 300 baht a day , weep tears for the poor , dispossessed toiling sons and and daughters of Thailand who are taught they are born and live in paradise - no foreign shores retirement and bar stool barracks for them - days grind on endlessly and now they know they just don't count - so they must keep their heads down and pray for a better rebirth - coz it sure ain't happening in this one.

One day on one of my walks around Bangkok I happened upon Sirajaj Hospital and was wondering round and took a shortcut through a building which turned out to be the AE admissions - or should I say a corridor filled with trollies of the dying and surrounded by saddened loved ones as they saw their kith and kin slipping away and harassed overworked doctors and nurses rushing around trying to halt this tide of dying humanity. It was then that I truly understood this place and what it means to have no money and live on the edge.

This song's for you ...

Zzzzzzzzzz

[noodle]

relief - oh yeah, anxiety - OMB where's the tissue?

[stickylies]

relief:

_anxiety:

both widely available in LOS...

Edited May 22, 2014 by stickylies

[benalibina]

And after all of this, in a few years or so, the next election will bring the same people to power. And as a true democrat that is the only thing that counts.

The miltairy should be kept miles away from power, as the are absolutely unfit for the task and are not legally entitled to it.

I hope the Thai people will keep their right to decide who governs them, as they have shown time and time again, it isn't the people now running the show.

In many democratic countries the majority of the populace is inept and unqualified to vote..in Thailand even more so. Cause the overwhelming majority of people cannot think for themselves, well, they are unwilling to think, culture and lack of proper education, its all a no brainer to have democracy in Thailand. Let the military sort it out, ie, and within a decade its same same again. Only until......some righteouss person with a vision stands up, and dares too as well, nothing will change. The pot of cash is not big enough for political parties to find the middleground....shades of grey.

[speedtripler]

those valiums are not the thai ones for sure ,maybe south american

and most thais only sell the blue 10mg ones thesedays

havent see yellow 5mg ones for many years now

Edited May 23, 2014 by astral
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[sjaak327]

I am sure people are qualified to vote, and that includes the people of Thailand. That you don't agree with their choice is fine, but accepting these choices is one of the key prerequisites of democracy, without this it will never work.

The Thai militairy is utterly unable to sort it out, as we have seen just about 7 years ago...

Edited May 23, 2014 by astral
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[Chris Lawrence]

The US, EU, France and others expressed deep concern.

Secretary of State John Kerry said there was "no justification" for the coup and that it would have "negative implications" for US relations.

He called for "early elections that reflect the will of the people," while the Pentagon said it was reviewing military cooperation with its Southeast Asian ally.

Experts at the Siam Intelligence Unit, a Bangkok-based think-tank, expect an interim premier to be appointed within days and the junta to control power for up to two years and draw up a "draconian" new constitution.

Some fear more turmoil.

"The coup is not a solution at all to end the crisis. This will become the crisis," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Japan's Kyoto University.

"It shows the military has never learned the lesson from 2006," he said, referring to the cycle of political instability stemming from Thaksin's overthrow.

- Ousted PM in hiding -

Caretaker premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan was among ministers ordered to report to the army. An aide said he was "safe" in an undisclosed location.

But Chalerm Yubamrung, a former premier and Thaksin loyalist dismissed earlier with Yingluck, was detained by the military, his son Doung Yubamrung said.

The junta also said it would block any social media platforms in the country that carry content provoking violence or criticising coup leaders.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was "seriously concerned" by the coup, his spokesman said. He urged a return to "constitutional, civilian, democratic rule."AFP 23.05.14

[benalibina]

If age is the only parameter to vote, yes. I care nothing who governs the country. They are all busy with "self". That is everywhere similar only in Thailand it is more visible and accepted through all its populace. Thailand is on no way ready for a democracy, as it has proven in the past. If they were than the students would play a much bigger role in the protest and calls for a reform. They dont....says enough....so dont be so naive.

Edited May 23, 2014 by astral
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[speedtripler]

where is yingluck ? why wasnt she detained as well ?

Edited May 23, 2014 by astral
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[tullynagardy]

The coup doesn't only bring relief and anxiety. It brings hope too.

Tarit and Chalerm who tried to threaten everybody with arrests for treason if they showed sympathy for the protest movement, were on top of the corruption piramid. Now most of the leaders are locked up.

Best start of the cleanup is at the top. All the lesser authorities will see what they are facing if they don't fast cleanup their acts. The same time normal people are encouraged to report corruption and try to fight it. The examples are being set now.

Why else were the only results in fighting the shootings and bombings made by the army? The police were/are on the payroll of the missunderstood fugitive. How is it possible they hardly had any results in 7 months? Reporting suspicious stuff to the police was equal to try to commit suicide. Now people will feel safe to report things they think are wrong to the military.

Would be lovely if the missunderstood fugitive can be brought to justice too. But first revoke his diplomatic passport. It's an outrage that that criminal got one.

The coup brings hope. Let the bad guys pay for their doings. Make room for others. It's a process that will take time. But things are on the move.

Bravo Prayuth!

If you are a troll I commend you on your ability to wind others up, as moronic as it is.

If you are serious and genuinely mean all this stuff, I pity your naivety and feel sorry for just how little you grasp of the situation

[sjaak327]

Naive is thinking the Thai militairy isn't doing this for "self" . They are no better than the average corrupt Thai politician, in fact they are worse as they lack a mandate.

Edited May 23, 2014 by astral
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[wayned]

The only thing that will cure Thailand's problems is to beam down Spock and have him do a "mind meld" of the entire population of the country. The problem is inbreed at all levels of Thai society .

[just a stranger]

To benalinia .... this is a very cynical view ...and a hit into the face for every Thai citizen who is trying to run his life under worst circumstances...Who do you think is able to vote ??? I agree to the lack of education , but these people are not to blame for this.Who is a qualified voter in your kind of view ?? Someone who finished High School ??? But ..... even in High School they are only taught the same old BS ..., forget it . I say that everybody is qualified to take his personal choose of what is offered to him , maybe he will become disappointed soon , may be not.There is a great lack of education in Thai schools , even if I don`t live in Thailand , I notice this everyday talking to my Thai wife. She holds a University degree , but she does know so little ...so who is the one to blame for this ???? Who wants the people to stay "dumb" and without knowledge how they could change their lifes... As sjaak327 told , the next election will bring the same people to power ...., again and again. I agree to his view , that military should be kept be kept miles away from power , as they have only learned " I shall do what I am ordered to " . The majority of Thai people ( in my kind of view ) lives a life without perspectives .. I hopefully await a person who is able to change this , I would wish that the Reds could form a new party , without the Shins ., ..As a sum up I think that every person in a democracy should ( and must ) use his right to vote , even if others condemn him of being too dumb for this.

Edited May 23, 2014 by astral
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[kannot]

Im sorry but many of them have no money for a reason, ask my Wife , one of ten children she is the only one who is not bone idle, the only one who work from 8 am to 12pm EVERYDAY, the only one her family come asking from but get refused, she has offered some of them work and the ability to earn similar to her ( 200+k a month)...............NOT ONE TAKER, oh sure theyll come if its a free handout and when they dont get it she is BLACKHEART.

She gave up on them years ago so please dont spout too much "poor Thais" many are poor for the above reason and NOTHING ELSE.

Edited May 23, 2014 by astral
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[soihok]

Outside of Bangkok I guess most Thais are glad that this has happened, the nonsense going on in the capital wasn't getting anyone anywhere apart from raising the cost of food and other products across the country.

It is funny watching the BBC world news reports on TV, they report it like the sky is falling down, when in actual fact it is nothing out of the unusual (for Thailand).

Anyway, it was going to happen wasn't it.

[Robby nz]

Thaksin will be loving it.

He has finally got the coup he has been trying for for so long.

International sympathy.

Sanctions against the army coup leaders, that it hurts the country wont matter to him.

A Govt in exile that he can openly be PM of, with international recognition. Back in power again, if only in name.

He now has the excuse to bring the red army out, to fight for (red) democracy

A fortune made on the dropping baht.

That the people of the country are the human sacrifice, no problem to him he is safe sitting among his billions.

But how safe is he ? we will see in the next week or so.

[benalibina]

And after all of this, in a few years or so, the next election will bring the same people to power. And as a true democrat that is the only thing that counts.

The miltairy should be kept miles away from power, as the are absolutely unfit for the task and are not legally entitled to it.

I hope the Thai people will keep their right to decide who governs them, as they have shown time and time again, it isn't the people now running the show.

In many democratic countries the majority of the populace is inept and unqualified to vote..in Thailand even more so. Cause the overwhelming majority of people cannot think for themselves, well, they are unwilling to think, culture and lack of proper education, its all a no brainer to have democracy in Thailand. Let the military sort it out, ie, and within a decade its same same again. Only until......some righteouss person with a vision stands up, and dares too as well, nothing will change. The pot of cash is not big enough for political parties to find the middleground....shades of grey.

I am sure people are qualified to vote, and that includes the people of Thailand. That you don't agree with their choice is fine, but accepting these choices is one of the key prerequisites of democracy, without this it will never work.

The Thai militairy is utterly unable to sort it out, as we have seen just about 7 years ago...

If age is the only parameter to vote, yes. I care nothing who governs the country. They are all busy with "self". That is everywhere similar only in Thailand it is more visible and accepted through all its populace. Thailand is on no way ready for a democracy, as it has proven in the past. If they were than the students would play a much bigger role in the protest and calls for a reform. They dont....says enough....so dont be so naive.

Naive is thinking the Thai militairy isn't doing this for "self" . They are no better than the average corrupt Thai politician, in fact they are worse as they lack a mandate.

Do not put words in my mouth. I wrote they are ALL busy with "self". In my opinion the populace of this country has proven to be NOT ready, nor to be interested in, for democracy. IMHO the present caretakers are the only viable option right now. But maybe they have info as well no other people know about a certain person.

[Dumu Ali]

THai military are a blessing to save a land from corropt politicians who steal from farmers God has blesses Thailand with a coup so that the mess can be cleaned and the people made free again AMEN

[Showbags]

@kannot

What does she do for 200k a month...crikey.

Agree though, we cannot find workers around here for 500b a day......

Edited May 23, 2014 by astral
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[beautifulthailand99]

Oh - it seems they just have ...

[Thailand]

Note for future reforms.

The next government whoever they may be need to start dismantling military power to prevent any more coups. It appears that is the sole purpose of the military, not quite sure what else they do apart from providing good secure powerful jobs for the boys at the top. Hate to imagine them actually going to war,easy to deal with civilians. Just look at what is happening in the south!

Thailand is at a crossroads, they could go forward and be the force in Asia they should be instead of being steadily overtaken by surrounding countries.

Sadly yet another coup is likely to bring yet another round of the military trying to run a business and failing. Elections in,how many months years? I am guessing none until the deck is weighted heavily in the hand of those of the powers that be and their boys are in top positions to ensure they get to the trough.

Don't expect any changes as to how things are done here. Politicians of whatever color are not in it for the sake of the people.

Good luck Thailand, you will need it.