Thai army summons ex-PM Yingluck, others in Thaksin clan

[webfact]

Thai army summons ex-PM Yingluck, others in Thaksin clan

BANGKOK, May 23, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's new junta ordered former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and three other relatives of controversial billionaire-turned-politician Thaksin Shinawatra to report to military authorities on Friday.

The summons appeared to broaden the scope of those called in by leaders of a military coup staged Thursday, after an earlier request for ministers in Thailand's now-deposed government to report to the armed forces.

A bulletin read out on national television said Yingluck, Thaksin's younger sister who was dismissed as premier this month in a contentious court ruling, must present herself at 10:00 am (0300 GMT) Friday.

The junta also ordered the presence of her brother-in-law, former premier Somchai Wongsawat, and two other relatives, "in order to maintain peace and smoothly solve national problems."

It gave no hint of what might happen after their appearances.

They were among 23 members of the Puea Thai party -- in power until Thursday's coup -- summoned by the military.

The exiled Thaksin, a former prime minister himself, along with his family and allies have been at the centre of a bitter power struggle lasting nearly a decade, pitting forces sympathetic to him against a Bangkok-based royalist bloc.

Puea Thai or previous Thaksin-aligned parties have won every election since 2001, to the growing alarm of the military-allied royalists.

Despite going into exile two years after he was deposed in a 2006 army coup, Thaksin retains strong support in rural Thailand.

Army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha seized power and announced curbs on civil liberties Thursday, saying he acted to quell months of deadly political turmoil stemming from Bangkok protests by the anti-Thaksin bloc.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-23

[draftvader]

HOT TOPIC ALERT!

This one is going to ignite ThaiVisa today. Big question, will any of them respond....or are they even in the country right now?

[rebelplatoon]

Probably needs them all together so they can finally sort things out. Would be funny if they d sent out a task force and pick up the 'puppetmaster'.

[khunsiam]

HOT TOPIC ALERT!

This one is going to ignite ThaiVisa today. Big question, will any of them respond....or are they even in the country right now?

Does Prayuth know what he 's doing, a bleak future for all of us.

[dcutman]

She will probably ask the general for a 15 day delay until she studies the situation

[chooka]

Just tell the general you are in Chiangmai and it would be impossible to drive to BKK whilst there is a curfew b/w 10 and 5.

[ratcatcher]

Just tell the general you are in Chiangmai and it would be impossible to drive to BKK whilst there is a curfew b/w 10 and 5.

I think Yingluck prefers helicopters.

[Local Drunk]

I'd guess she's pretty wobbly in the knees this morning.

[Thailand]

Light blue touch paper and stand well away!

[Thait Spot]

I could understand all this if the intention was to lock them all in a room until they had a solution that they were all agreed on.

But its a job to understand where all this is going

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Robby nz]

Full list of who they have called in is elsewhere, like BP.

[PhilipCook]

Somehow I guess she skipped town as soon as martial law was declared, runs in the family.

[ratcatcher]

I could understand all this if the intention was to lock them all in a room until they had a solution that they were all agreed on.

But its a job to understand where all this is going

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

It's called housekeeping. That requires taking out the garbage sometimes.

[Artisi]

Love it, keep the pressure on - next they need the camel herder back here and under key as well. Go army.

[Thait Spot]

I could understand all this if the intention was to lock them all in a room until they had a solution that they were all agreed on.

But its a job to understand where all this is going

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

It's called housekeeping. That requires taking out the garbage sometimes.

Will that loon from Monkut Wattana be in charge? He's been very quiet

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Seastallion]

She will probably ask the general for a 15 day delay until she studies the situation

Via Facebook

[Scott]

Off-topic post deleted. Please stay on topic and refrain from using inflammatory remarks.

[EricBerg]

Keep them hostage and offer to release them on condition the missunderstood fugitive turns himself in? Nah, he wouldn't even consider it. He doesn't care a bit about people.

[Soutpeel]

Just tell the general you are in Chiangmai and it would be impossible to drive to BKK whilst there is a curfew b/w 10 and 5.

I think Yingluck prefers helicopters.

but not very practical to get to Dubai me thinks...where would she put all the shoes & hand bags ?

[Piichai]

HOT TOPIC ALERT!

This one is going to ignite ThaiVisa today. Big question, will any of them respond....or are they even in the country right now?

Does Prayuth know what he 's doing, a bleak future for all of us.

Only if you're a Shin.

[Bkkbound]

This means the army either has them in custody already or they know thet have fled the country... Thats that then. An end of an era. A typical thai soap...

[Soutpeel]

She will probably ask the general for a 15 day delay until she studies the situation

Via Facebook

and Skype.....from Dubai...

All the little piggies have escaped the sty, except the ones the army rounded up...

[IamNoone88]

Wouldn't it be helpful for once if the US and that quite ineffective outfit, the UN actually understood a situation and supported it or at least remained neutral rather than condone it? We have been putting up with Suthep's and Jaturong's nonense for far too long and it has impacted our business and personal lives for the worse as the country suffers. So, Mr Kerry and Mr Moon, wake up and think and spare a thought for the real people who have been trying to make an honest living and have suffered for months because of this impasse. As you obviously can't help the situation, you really should keep quiet.

[BSJ]

If the General is going to get to the heart of the corruption that has effectively raped the countries coffers, and created the current mess, it would be prudent to have those who where in charge close at hand.

House arrest is the best option for those who have been summoned.

[khunsiam]

HOT TOPIC ALERT!

This one is going to ignite ThaiVisa today. Big question, will any of them respond....or are they even in the country right now?

Does Prayuth know what he 's doing, a bleak future for all of us.

Only if you're a Shin.

soon all farang will be Shins, those who lived long enough in the south know that

[Thait Spot]

I have heard that Tarit has already signed the arrest warrants for the PTP cabinet and the Shinawatra family

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[kimamey]

I could understand all this if the intention was to lock them all in a room until they had a solution that they were all agreed on.

But its a job to understand where all this is going

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I think this coup was staged far too early. It looks like the general is used to getting things done quickly and doesn't understand the slow process of negotiation. The martial law was fine and maybe could have been earlier as it could stop more bloodshed and allow things to cool to give time for talks. It's a pity in some ways that Yingluck isn't still caretaker PM. She's no worse than could be expected without any experience but she does seem to be less confrontational. If they could have got her into negotiations without access to Thaksin then they might have got somewhere. If it were her and Abhisit who is also more likely to compromise than Suthep that might have brought results.

Maybe they'll try to do something to encourage talks now they've shown they're serious. I won't hold my breath though.

[raybal5]

I support what the army is doing EXCEPT for the curfew. It is quite wrong to impose a nation-wide curfew when the troubles are only in a few locations. This will cause undue financial hardship on people that are hundreds of kilomtres away from the troubles.

Does the general think he may be better served if he keeps faith with the majority of Thais by not screwing their lives up any more than totally necessary?

[kimamey]

Probably needs them all together so they can finally sort things out. Would be funny if they d sent out a task force and pick up the 'puppetmaster'.

I don't think that would help as there would be legal complications.

They could make sure an international arrest warrant was issued which would be less difficult legally.

[Piichai]

If the General is going to get to the heart of the corruption that has effectively raped the countries coffers, and created the current mess, it would be prudent to have those who where in charge close at hand.

House arrest is the best option for those who have been summoned.

Nah, can't trust them.