Ex-PMs Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra to establish government in exile

[Lite Beer]

Thailand coup: Ex-PMs Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra to establish government in exile, says lawyer
By Peter Lloyd

PHOTO: Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer says a number of states have made offers to host the government in exile. (AFP: Saeed Khan, file photo)

Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has revealed plans to set up a government in exile, in a direct challenge to the legitimacy of the military, following confirmation of a coup to remove the government led by his presumed proxy and sister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The decision was relayed by Mr Thaksin's legal adviser, Robert Amsterdam, and revealed exclusively by the ABC.

The announcement comes amid reports that coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha will remain at the head of a junta beyond his scheduled retirement in September, according to the Bangkok Post.

General Prayuth has assumed the powers to act as prime minister; except Section 2, which acknowledges that the king is the head of state.

On Saturday night the military junta disbanded the country's Senate and placed all law-making responsibility in the hands of General Prayuth.

"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 announcement on national television.

The military tightened its grip on Friday by banning more than 150 prominent figures from leaving the country, and threatening to arrest politicians who disobey its orders.

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was among those who reported to the military junta.

It is understood Ms Yingluck and several former ministers now being detained plan to join the protester-led government.

A source in Ms Yingluck's Puea Thai party told AFP that the former prime minister's exact whereabouts were unknown.

"It is confirmed that she was detained by the military since she reported to the junta yesterday," the source, who was present when Ms Yingluck answered a call to report to the army on Friday, said.

"We are unsure of her whereabouts because the military confiscated her mobile phones and those of her aides."

Military officials say Ms Yingluck will not be held for longer than a week and have made assurances that she will be looked after.

"We provide them good facilities, perhaps even better than the facilities that I or everyone here [has] at the moment," a Thai military official said on Saturday. "Please do not worry."

Number of nations offer to host exiled government: lawyer

Mr Thaksin is negotiating with a number of states which Mr Amsterdam says have made offers to host the government in exile.

Proximity would imply a neighbour state like Cambodia could house the former leaders, but it could invite military retaliation and sanctions from an angry and humiliated Thailand.

It is unclear whether any Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) state would risk breaching the association's bedrock doctrine of non-interference to provide a political safe haven for Thaksin and Ms Yingluck.

It could bring down the political order and harmony of ASEAN, a dull but effective piece of architecture that has assisted socio-economic and political development in the region for decades.

Mr Amsterdam says so far there is no identifiable host state but it is believed by pro-government Red Shirts that there are a number of nations set to offer a safe place.

It is understood that the Shinawatra-led Red Shirts protest movement was anxious to make the government in exile decision public ahead of a widely anticipated statement from the Palace giving direct or veiled support of the monarchy to the military take-over. There has been no official statement as yet.

It comes as the Thai army ordered another 30 individuals, including academics and activists, to report to the military, adding to the more than the 100 people who have already received that order.

A Thai military spokesman says they will be held for up to a week to give them "time to think".

"We have to keep them for some time to think about their previous actions and about previous incidents, and after that they will become more relaxed," he said.

"There will be no pressure on them and they'll be able to think about what they should do for the best of the country and for themselves, and we will look after them very well."

US issues non-essential travel warning

The US State Department has issued a travel alert advising against any non-essential travel to Thailand. Bangkok remains under military lockdown with a nightly 10pm curfew amid fears of a violent backlash.

The US has suspended about $3.8 million in military aid following the coup and is reviewing the rest of the approximately $11.4 million annual assistance package to Thailand.

"Several Thai military officers told me that they expect significant violent conflict in Bangkok with Red Shirt activists in the next two weeks," said Council on Foreign Relations analyst Joshua Kurlanzick in his latest blog report.

Meanwhile, about 200 people have gathered in Bangkok to protest against the coup.

Soldiers have been attempting to contain the situation, with a few of the protesters having already been arrested.

The situation breaches martial law, which states that no more than five people at a time can be involved in a political rally.

The ABC's South East Asia correspondent Samantha Hawley says the protesters are "visibly angry".

"They don't want a coup, they don't want military rule in this country and they are making their voices heard," she told ABC News 24.

"I would say it's a real mix of people. It's women, old and young, and there are men, old and young as well. There are students.

"They are not the pro-Government Red Shirts. These are just ordinary Bangkok people, who don't want this coup."

Yesterday, a group of about 100 protesters gathered in the first show of defiance against military rule, later dispersing and saying they would be back every night.

Bangkok the safest city in the world: expat

As part of martial law, the military has censored the media, dispersed rival protesters in Bangkok and imposed a nationwide 10:00pm-to-5:00am curfew.

Australian expat David Bell has been living in Thailand for more than 30 years, and says Bangkok is "probably the safest city in the world to be in right now".

Mr Bell says the biggest problem is the censoring of the media.

"We can only get the Thai army station and it's repeated on all channels. There are about 300 channels we have access to, and it all has the same stuff on it," he said.

He says people have mostly been abiding by the enforced curfew hours, though it is unsure how long the curfew will last.

"The rumour originally was it was going to be for about four to five days, but there is very little news coming through so it's impossible to say," he said.

"I believe that it will start breaking down a little bit in the next few days.

"There were a few people out after 10:00 last night. I looked out onto the street and the odd person was taking the risk - typical Thai style is you test it and test it and finally it breaks down unless it's enforced."

--ABC 2014-05-25

[cloudhopper]

Government in exile is a fantasy. Even so, I don't think I'd want my lawyer spouting off about it while I'm in custody of the military.

[GeorgeO]

Well, I think he has just assured an extended period of detention for all PTP members currently in custody, and I now envisage an all-out effort to get KhunT back to Thailand to face the music. This has to be the craziest thing Thaksin has ever set out to do, and it will certainly prove to be his undoing...!!

[BSJ]

The banner should read "Thaksin and Yingluck the comedy duo appearing daily".

[MaxLee]

more Shitinthewater Garbage...but what to expect from this power and money crazed family

Well, you gotta admit, this dude STILL has sooooo many connection in Thailand. And who knows what treacherous plot he's planning,.... maybe involving some thuggs from corrupt Sutheast Asian connections this time to do the work instead of his puppet clan....

.... you better watch out, because the legend will never die....

[Diplomatico]

Wow, talk about bad timing. I wouldn't want to be YS in detention right now.

[dcutman]

What would a Govt in exile be able to accomplish? Other than keeping the hate fires burning brightly.

[bkkgooner]

Not a chance of them even trying it, the Shinawatra clan may be many things but they aren't completely thick

[uty6543]

He claims his sister wants to set up this Government in exile so why is he announcing it and not her. It is his desire and he is just using Yinglucks. Does she even know about it. That will be a few more question the army will be asking. Wonder if she has any answers.

Edited May 25, 2014 by uty6543

[Rob8891]

Yingluck et alia might reasonably expect to have an extended holiday, enjoying the army's hospitality if Thaksin and Amsterdam are making these announcements. No one is going to release them to go running off to create a "government in exile".

Prolonged detention will enrage the masses..... Thaksin is playing his pawns, even while they are in lockdown.

[realfunster]

Government in exile is a fantasy. Even so, I don't think I'd want my lawyer spouting off about it while I'm in custody of the military.

Maybe that is the tactic ? Provide some basis for detaining Yingluck indefinitely or for longer than the stated 3-7 days and hey presto, instant focal point for anti-coup sentiment.....

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Diplomatico]

What would a Govt in exile be able to accomplish? Other than keeping the hate fires burning brightly.

I think the objective is that - in the case of international intervention - the government in exile would be allowed to return to power if the junta were overthrown. Memory may fail me but I think that's happened in other countries with "governments in exile". (No, I can't provide an example but I think it's occurred, historically speaking.)

[Seastallion]

"It is understood Ms Yingluck and several former ministers now being detained plan to join the protester-led government."

".."We are unsure of her whereabouts because the military confiscated her mobile phones and those of her aides.".."

So how did Yingluck communicate her intentions?

[borisloosebrain]

So much for his ' I've quit politics' mantra. Note to self: never believe the man.

[CWMcMurray]

Well, I think he has just assured an extended period of detention for all PTP members currently in custody, and I now envisage an all-out effort to get KhunT back to Thailand to face the music. This has to be the craziest thing Thaksin has ever set out to do, and it will certainly prove to be his undoing...!!

Perhaps that is what he wants....

He knows they are not in any danger from the Army, but if held, he surely hopes that it will look worse and hoping more international pressure...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rob8891]

What would a Govt in exile be able to accomplish? Other than keeping the hate fires burning brightly.

I think the objective is that - in the case of international intervention - the government in exile would be allowed to return to power if the junta were overthrown. Memory may fail me but I think that's happened in other countries with "governments in exile". (No, I can't provide an example but I think it's occurred, historically speaking.)

Iran!!

[rogeratkins]

They not say anything about the weapons found in Khon Kaen from red shirts to be used in terrorist attack in Khon Kaen? The weapons found at Aksa road at the Red shirt rall y ? And the US and other countries will support this and recognize this government in exile .?I thought Thailand had already 2 years a government in exile in Dubai nothing news this

[MJP]

Delusional. Simply delusional.

[Thaddeus]

Madness.

[animatic]

The guy proves once again why he is utterly unqualified to run a sovereign nation.

And that under pressure his decision making markedly and noticeably deteriorates.

He falls back into his wish list, with little or no consideration that his statements

will significantly affect others... like his sister in this case.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Edited May 25, 2014 by animatic

[Somtamnication]

Woops. Did I just read that the general will stay beyond his retirement in September? This is going to be loooooooooooooong coup.

[NongKhaiKid]

Well, I think he has just assured an extended period of detention for all PTP members currently in custody, and I now envisage an all-out effort to get KhunT back to Thailand to face the music. This has to be the craziest thing Thaksin has ever set out to do, and it will certainly prove to be his undoing...!!

Great brotherly love, throw your sister under the bus for your own ends.

[Crushdepth]

Comedy gold

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Diplomatico]

What would a Govt in exile be able to accomplish? Other than keeping the hate fires burning brightly.

I think the objective is that - in the case of international intervention - the government in exile would be allowed to return to power if the junta were overthrown. Memory may fail me but I think that's happened in other countries with "governments in exile". (No, I can't provide an example but I think it's occurred, historically speaking.)

Iran!!

Ah, yes. Couple of countries on the African continent too, methinks.

[wealth]

this was mentioned already in "Der Spiegel" yesterday.

Problem will be of how will they travel abroad when they're not allowed to leave the country?

[VegasVic]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The banner should read "Thaksin and Yingluck the comedy duo appearing daily".

Yes indeed, and they will be a comedy duo, that is until the first foreign nation recognizes them Should the U.N., E.U., U.S., Japan or another major country recognize them as the rightful leaders of a government in exile, then the comedy will not be so funny for those military leaders who put themselves out on a limb. If they do indeed set up a government in exile then I think that the U.N. would likely be the first to recognize them and start sanctions against Thailand

[coobah666]

Thaksins government in exile

with all of them locked up it will be a big government comprising of him him and him

[NongKhaiKid]

I wonder when this was written as the expat in Bkk says he can only get the army channel but TRUE can back on late Friday minus BBC and CNN.

My local cable was restored too but with BBC etc. Seems ridiculous to have TRUE still blocking unless it's a company decision.

[moe666]

I think the army just over thru a government in exile

[Diplomatico]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The banner should read "Thaksin and Yingluck the comedy duo appearing daily".

Yes indeed, and they will be a comedy duo, that is until the first foreign nation recognizes them Should the U.N., E.U., U.S., Japan or another major country recognize them as the rightful leaders of a government in exile, then the comedy will not be so funny for those military leaders who put themselves out on a limb. If they do indeed set up a government in exile then I think that the U.N. would likely be the first to recognize them and start sanctions against Thailand

This is the goal. ^^

Edited May 25, 2014 by Diplomatico