Thai coup leader disbands Senate, assumes law-making power

BANGKOK, May 24, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's military junta said Saturday it had disbanded the Senate and placed all law-making authority in the army chief's hands, dramatically tightening its grip after a coup that has sparked Bangkok protests and drawn international condemnation.

The regime also confirmed it had detained former premier Yingluck Shinawatra and scores of other ousted government leaders and would hold them for up to a week as it corralled potential opponents to its takeover.

"The Senate is dismissed. Responsibility for any laws needing the approval of the parliament or Senate will instead be assumed by the leader of the (junta)," said an army bulletin on national television.

Thailand's fragile democracy has been repeatedly stunted by 19 actual or attempted coups since 1932.

Analysts called Saturday's developments an ominous sign that the junta led by the army chief, General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, could be digging in for a long-term, pervasive takeover, as it had earlier said the Senate would be retained.

Sporadic protests flared in Bangkok for a second straight day, with hundreds of demonstrators defying a ban on political gatherings to denounce the coup, echoing calls from Washington, the EU and elsewhere around the world for the restoration of civilian rule.

Prayut seized control Thursday after anti-government forces had waged a several-month campaign, marked by deadly Bangkok street protests, to oust Thailand's civilian leaders.

Civil liberties have been curbed, media restrictions imposed, most of the constitution abrogated, and rival protesters from both sides of the political divide cleared from the capital.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-24

BREAKING:

General Prayuth replaces police chief, DSI chief, and defence permanent secretary, dissolves the Senate and takes over parliamentary authority.

Wow. A real coup.

Wow, the guy is really showing his colors, ain't he? A dictator of his ilk won't stand much longer for a free flow of information and public expression of opinion on the internet. But I guess that would come after the shuttering of the judicial branch of gov't.? I'm afraid our days are numbered.

Julius Caesar did the same.

Of course, that was 2.000 years ago.

Concentrating power isn't?

Wow, the guy is really showing his colors, ain't he? A dictator of his ilk won't stand much longer for a free flow of information on the internet. I'm afraid our days are numbered.

They didn't cut it last time. Too much stuff depends on it these days, I suppose.

This one caught me by surprise -- it looked as though he was going to let it stand since a large number of them were appointed by the right people. I guess he wants people that do exactly what he says. Lets see if he has them report and locks the senators up. Don't like coups at all - but if he actually cracks down on all corruption equally I would change my mind.

He is peeling like the proverbial onion.

This will have the human rights organizations scratching their collective heads.

If it fails to work, this place will become cheaper to retire to

This one caught me by surprise -- it looked as though he was going to let it stand since a large number of them were appointed by the right people. I guess he wants people that do exactly what he says. Lets see if he has them report and locks the senators up. Don't like coups at all - but if he actually cracks down on all corruption equally I would change my mind.

Cracking down on all corruption?

How does one become a general in Thailand?

Wow, the guy is really showing his colors, ain't he? A dictator of his ilk won't stand much longer for a free flow of information on the internet. I'm afraid our days are numbered.

They didn't cut it last time. Too much stuff depends on it these days, I suppose.

This coup has few similarities to "last time."

Hmmm. Not many on here defending the coup now are there?

Suthep was heard screaming 'It should be me, IT SHOULD BE ME!"

If it fails to work, this place will become cheaper to retire to

Zimbabwe might be cheaper still - and for the same reasons, only Robby is better at it (he had more practice!)

No surprise there.. what's the logic doing a coup d'état and leaving half of the parliament in place? After the constitution was set "out of order", their was no more need for the senat.

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This news, together with the events at Victory monument today and elsewhere, doesn't look promising for the near future.

There will be hard times ahead.

Suthep was heard screaming 'It should be me, IT SHOULD BE ME!"

Suthep is not the type of person that takes the front, but he does generally put himself to be the boss of those that act as the front man. I get the feeling that Abhisit and Thailand would have been much better off if he Suthep did not exist.

He's cutting out the cancer piece by piece.

Hmmm. Not many on here defending the coup now are there?

I don't understand why the general has taken over the senate but I trust he is doing what has to be done for the good of the country and the people.

There is real opposition on the streets, personally witnessed. Despite their armoured cars and tanks and guns, they may not be able to take away our sons this time. Could this be one coup too many. I pray for peace with justice.

..a wise move if he wants to be seen to be even-handed ( not that I agree with closing legislature)

He's cutting out the cancer piece by piece.

He is consolidating power, simple as that.

Long time before you will see any elections here now!

He's cutting out the cancer piece by piece.

He is consolidating power, simple as that.

Long time before you will see any elections here now!

He already hinted at the beginning that election would not happen before 24 months from now.

Didn't think he would dump the senate but great that Adul and Tarit are gone.

Now the remaining police brass will see which side their bread is buttered on.

Do your job or you will be next.

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Suthep was heard screaming 'It should be me, IT SHOULD BE ME!"

...and the Speaker of the Senate is whining, "et tu Brutus?"

I have a feeling that there is much more to this coup, and today's consolidation of power, than we are being told.

Hmmm. Not many on here defending the coup now are there?

I don't understand why the general has taken over the senate but I trust he is doing what has to be done for the good of the country and the people.

said Colonel Blimp.

I have a feeling that there is much more to this coup, and today's consolidation of power, than we are being told.