Thai coup leader disbands Senate, assumes law-making power

[pisico]

PDRC, TV anti-Thaksinistas, Suthepistas and Yellows wanted reforms, out with YS, block elections and abolish the government, senators, the house et al.

You clamored, ranted and wished it:. There you have it and then some.

Are you guys happy now?

Edited May 24, 2014 by pisico

[brewsterbudgen]

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.

I salute your faith, but I fear your trust is misplaced.

[catterwell]

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

I think your feeling is about right.

[wellred]

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.

Wow 2 years? That's a long time. He will surely put in place a non partisan government for the interim period.

[cacruden]

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.

Wow 2 years? That's a long time. He will surely put in place a non partisan government for the interim period.

Um! Never heard a non-partisan government with the exception of a dictatorship that executes all decent (and therefore any partisanship)

[Rob8891]

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

and you are surprised you weren't informed beforehand because....?.........

[haroldc]

He's cutting out the cancer piece by piece.

Quite right... I believe that he will do his best to see the patient on the road to recovery. I particularly like his reported commented regarding the detention of the attendees at the second meeting. Loosely translated, he said: "They quarrel so much... let them stay together until they love each other."

[tx22cb]

Could get uglier.

Promises are being broken. Big Wigs from all sides are being disenfranchised. Don't assume that every faction in the Army is unified. Someone's enemy is now their friend.

I smell a counter-coup over the horizon ...... be safe.

[SABloke]

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

I agree with you Prbkk-never thought I'd utter those words...

[george]

Senate dissolved, police chief sacked

BANGKOK: -- The Senate was dissolved on Saturday evening and more senior officials including the national police chief removed as coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha consolidated power.

The dissolution of the Senate means that all parliamentary authority rests with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) headed by the army chief.

Gen Prayuth announced that he had taken over the authority of the House and the Senate for the time being in case any actions required parliamentary approval.

The NCPO also announced on Saturday evening that Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew had been moved to an inactive post in the Prime Minister's Office.

Also moved to inactive posts were Tarit Pengdith, the head of the Department of Special Investigation, and Nipat Thonglek, the permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry. Both men had been seen as loyalists to the ousted government and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, the deputy national police chief, has been named the acting police chief. Pol Gen Chatchawal Suksomjit, another deputy national police chief, has been put in charge of the DSI, and Gen Surasak Kanjanarat, deputy permanent secretary for defence, has been named the defence permanent secretary.

-- Bangkok Post 2014-05-24

[canuckamuck]

A coup is always dangerous, but Thailand is a very unique place. It seems the coup is the natural reset Thais actually need to have a government. So many greedy snouts in the trough and so little rule of law. Eventually the spoiled little rich boys tilt the system and the army needs unplug the machine and find a system restore point.

However, for this to occur, all the safety nets come down too; and absolute power is put into the hands of an untested commodity,

All the things that the army are stopping and taking control over right now are good moves. Assuming that the intention of these executive moves is benevolent and for lack of a better word, righteous. But we just don't really know do we. Once again Thailand has placed itself upon the brink of failed statehood, just because they can't get their head around respect for the rule of law. In a land of zero accountable for the rich. Eventually two really big dogs are gonna meet and we won't be able to put it back together again. Think cops and reds VS soldiers and yellows.

[haroldc]

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

As I posted back in 2010, there is a kingdom at stake...

[cacruden]

The problem is that by making it impossible to select a representative government, by cracking down on decent etc, pushing along regional ethnic divisions - the only outcome for a long unrepresentative government will just make it more likely of an insurgency or separatist movements to take hold.... Once the dream is created it is dam hard to go back.

[unanimosity]

Wow. A real coup.

Yeah, getting really coup-coup.

[Prbkk]

What does the CC say about these changes? Does the CC still exist without a constitution?

[Thormaturge]

So do we call him God, or Vishnu now?

[smedly]

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.

I'm not going to comment on the Senate until the details and reasons become clear - General Prayuth needs to be careful he doesn't completely alienate himself from everyone - I'm pretty sure he has reason for doing this - I could guess but lets wait and see

I expected the Police Chief and Tarit move earlier than it happened - in fact I expected them to be arrested but maybe that will come later as evidence becomes clearer

[WhizBang]

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

Ok, now I am worried, seeing as Prbkk supports it.

[Chris Lawrence]

Well it least he is beginning to look at paying the farmers. This is a priority that should give him some kudos. The General needs to be seen neutral in this approach. By abolishing the senate and the constitution he can act in a way that can't have much come back on him.

[Lupatria]

Julius Caesar did the same.

Of course, that was 2.000 years ago.

...and it did not work either

[Thailand]

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.

Wow 2 years? That's a long time. He will surely put in place a non partisan government for the interim period.

Like to take bet on it. Long time in the planning. Each step is well mapped out. All top positions are taken by military, remind you of anywhere?

[Alwyn]

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.

I would hazard a guess and say his only interest in corruption is his interest in corruption. He's in for the long spell; Burma took how many years to overthrow their junta?

[WhizBang]

PDRC, TV anti-Thaksinistas, Suthepistas and Yellows wanted reforms, out with YS, block elections and abolish the government, senators, the house et al.

You clamored, ranted and wished it:. There you have it and then some.

Are you guys happy now?

Mostly, YES. I am willing to wait and see. So far the General has my full support. Anything to get rid of the Shins and their corrupt ways.

[taiping]

Maybe Prayuth's fellow Directors at Thai Military Bank will ask him to take a hike when the economy takes a dive.

[MILT]

I fully support the coup and I stand behind the General.

He knows what he is doing.

[unanimosity]

The problem is that by making it impossible to select a representative government, by cracking down on decent etc, pushing along regional ethnic divisions - the only outcome for a long unrepresentative government will just make it more likely of an insurgency or separatist movements to take hold.... Once the dream is created it is dam hard to go back.

Are you suggesting that this move is calculated to ignite the emotions of common folk, that have had six consecutive elections overturned, to react in order to provide justification for militarily neutralizing them in the shadows of press blackouts before they get too organized?

[cacruden]

PDRC, TV anti-Thaksinistas, Suthepistas and Yellows wanted reforms, out with YS, block elections and abolish the government, senators, the house et al.

You clamored, ranted and wished it:. There you have it and then some.

Are you guys happy now?

Mostly, YES. I am willing to wait and see. So far the General has my full support. Anything to get rid of the Shins and their corrupt ways.

That is only part of the corruption in Thailand, it existed before Thaksin ever arrived. As one yellow leader put it.... it was not corruption it was that he published his price list and made it obvious - corruption is not a problem as long as it is done quietly behind closed doors

[WhizBang]

Could get uglier.

Promises are being broken. Big Wigs from all sides are being disenfranchised. Don't assume that every faction in the Army is unified. Someone's enemy is now their friend.

I smell a counter-coup over the horizon ...... be safe.

Bull.

[lomatopo]

The NPOMC has been renamed National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

[chilizzz]

The Senate made him PM and now thry sre getting kicked out.

I think many will be in for a big surprise in a few days.