Thaksin Overthrown In Army Coup

[geoffphuket]

From the British Embassy:

On 19 September 2006 the Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, declared a state of emergency in Bangkok. There have been reports of tanks taking up position around the Thai government headquarters in Bangkok and blocking traffic. The British Embassy in Bangkok is closely monitoring the situation. If you intend to travel to, or are currently in Bangkok, you should monitor all available information on the local situation. You should also avoid any demonstrations and large crowds. Movements around government buildings and in public may be restricted until the situation becomes clearer.

[Colonel_Mustard]

Interesting that there is so much goodwill for an sacked military strongmen with utterly disregard for democracy. Sonti did not receieved one vote, I would say. Let's hope that these so called reformist, and loyalists will eventually be brought to justice. it is a crime against the people of thailand overthrowing an democartically elected government. the fact that they act weeks before an election show their rel ill intentions

Geeeez mate the writings on the wall, the Kings had enough of the corrupt, thieving pig............and he's oughta here with all his wealth....it's a peoples coup and about bloody time.........nice timing I must admit, just before he was about o address the UN.......big loss of face or what

An election is a people's coup. This isn't.

I'll wait to see what the new regime has in store for Thailand before expressing my delight.

[Plus]

Good to see Thaksin gone, but I already miss the Constitution. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly.

How are they going to restore all these???

The Nation arrived with a big word "COUP" across the top, at least we still have the Internet. At least we do - Thaksin's supporters on Panthip.com had their forum closed.

[jamie46]

Wonderful, Finally the Thais have stepped up against a selfish mean thieving murdering crook called taksin.

His party will still fix the elections but at least it will take time before a new pm will be able to rape the country for personal profit as much as taksin.

Always i dream about seeing a "taksin assinated" when i pick up he morning newspaper so we'd know for sure he would not be still doing the horrific things he does behind the scenes but for now this coup is wonderful news.

[Heng]

First lady Pojaman reportedly flew to Singapore on Monday and it is not known whether Panthongtae, the family's only son, followed his mother last night.

The whereabouts of the PM's daughters Paethongtae and Pinthongta were not known.

They are all in the UK by now. Everyone else, who for whatever reason, the Democratic Reform Council decided to give a pass to, Thaksin included, are abroad as well. Love the way that even coups here are generally polite.

For the next time around, for anyone else not familiar with the country yet.... when the rumors start (yesterday afternoon in this case), it's time to stock up on groceries for the next few days.

[Heng]

I wonder who is going to get the new Thaicom and AIS concessions?

[Tony Clifton]

Good to see Thaksin gone, but I already miss the Constitution. Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly.

How are they going to restore all these???

The Nation arrived with a big word "COUP" across the top, at least we still have the Internet. At least we do - Thaksin's supporters on Panthip.com had their forum closed.

manager.co.th was not shut down nor ASTV. They at least gave freedom of speech to those who spoke and still speak the truth.

Even the most stubbornly embedded tick can be pinched out.

Edited September 20, 2006 by Tony Clifton

[Siripon]

What's the betting TRT are going to get dissolved by The Constitutional Court in their upcoming verdict now?

[Tony Clifton]

Guaranteed and more is waiting for them.

[sbk]

As near as I remember the Constitutional Court has been dissolved as well.

[Jai Dee]

Coup Makes Bad Situation Worse

Even before elements off the Thai army and police claimed they had taken control of Bangkok on Tuesday evening, while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York attending the U.N. General Assembly, the country was facing an extended political crisis that had dented investor confidence in what had been one of Asia's brightest emerging markets.

In May, Thailand's Constitutional Court nullified April's general election--which returned former technology billionaire Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai party to office--following accusations of electoral fraud. Opposition parties boycotted the polls in protest against what they say is the prime minister's corruption and abuse of power.

Mass protests and calls for the prime minister's resignation followed Thaksin's $1.9 billion sale in January of his family's stake in the telecoms firm Shin Corp. to Singapore's Temasek Holdings. Opponents complained that the sale was a tax avoidance transaction and that it passed control of one of Thailand's largest telecoms companies outside the country.

While the prime minister continued to run a caretaker administration ahead of elections originally planned for mid-October, those elections have already been once postponed, probably until November.

But Thaksin's likely participation means the prospect of a repeat of the protests that took place around April's elections. Thaksin's opponents believe he will again be able to rig the forthcoming election by buying votes in the countryside.

The group that appears to have taken control says it has done so to ensure law and order. It calls itself the Reform Group for Democracy. Its move came the evening before a large anti-Thaksin demonstration was being planned in Bangkok for the next day.

Many of Thaksin's opponents are close to the king, who plays an important political role in the country's constitutional monarchy and to whom the coup group says it is loyal. Many Thais have taken to wearing yellow shirts twice a week to show their loyalty to their monarch, and these have increasingly been seen as a symbol of protest against the government.

The military has said it would stay out of political affairs. Military coups were once common in Thailand, but for the past 15 years the country has been regarded as a beacon of democratic and economic freedom in the region.

Thaksin has also being fighting a separatist insurgency in the southern provinces, where Muslims form a majority. This could now lead to terrorist attacks spreading outside these provinces to the Buddhist north, taking advantage of the political crisis in the capital.

The insurgents have been hitting economic targets, including the tourism industry. Last weekend, a series of bombs killed four people, including one Canadian.

Infrastructure spending has slowed, braking the capital investment that has been driving growth. Annual economic growth, which peaked at 6.9% in 2003, has slipped: The government recently reduced its GDP growth forecast for this year to a range of 4.2% to 4.9% from an earlier 4.5% to 5.5%.

Foreign investors have already taken fright. Bangkok's stock market has fallen more than 3% over the last 12 months. Two closed-end Thai funds in New York fell more than that once news of the coup hit, and you can expect shares in Bangkok to fall sharply once trading resumes.

Before the latest events, Standard and Poor’s had rated the country’s long-term government bonds as BBB-plus, an investment grade, though in the lower echelons. The rating agencies have held their ratings stable, assuming the political situation would stabilize after the elections. That now looks less certain as investors reassess Thailand's longer-term political stability.

Source: Forbes.com - 20 September 2006

[tartempion]

You have my full support to restore the country back to a real Thai democracy.

There is no such thing in Thailand.

Western countries are keen in installing so-called "democracy" everywhere, just as if "democracy" is the cure to everything, sigh....

This reminds me of "democracy" as we had it in Europe 100 years ago, the rich were elected and you could only elect the rich, to day you americans had the choice between poor Bush and poor Kerry. Same same but different....

[bubba]

Another bulletin board is reporting that all land borders in Thailand have just been closed. Can anyone confirm this?

Interestingly, the official Bangkok airport real time flight departures page shows no flights for today. Only the schedule for tomorrow's flights are shown.

http://www2.airportthai.co.th/html/b-sche-...e_f=ID&qr=D

Arrivals are shown and updated, and things look generally on time

http://www2.airportthai.co.th/html/b-sche-r-a.asp

[Thaising]

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) --

Few people expected Thailand's political crisis to lead to a coup. But when the military made its move to take over the government Tuesday, it came as no surprise that Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin was in charge.

Despite surge of anti-government protests in recent months, Sondhi had given indications that a government seizure wasn't in the cards.

"Military coups are a thing of the past," he said recently, echoing comments from other top military officers. "Political troubles should be resolved by politicians."

Sondhi, the first Muslim army commander in Buddhist-dominated Thailand, was appointed to the army's top post last year with a mission to deal with an Islamic insurgency in the country's south.

He was seen as having unique qualifications for the job. His religion gave him extra credibility among Muslims, and his service as a former head of the special warfare command made him well suited to the task. In addition, his service in the Vietnam War won him the respect of veterans.

"I will make the Royal Thai Army into the army of the people, and will make soldiers the beloved soldiers of the people," Sondhi said as he assume the top post last year.

Coups are nothing new to Thailand, but many hoped that after 14 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, the days of revolving door military regimes might finally be over.

In recent months, however, mass protests and an impasse over flawed elections have thrown the country into its worst crisis since the last army takeover in 1991.

Even as recently as last week, amid growing tensions in the wake of an alleged bomb plot against now-ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Sondhi was quashing coup rumors.

"Has the situation gone to that point? No. There is still a way to go by democratic means," the 59-year-old officer said then. "We should stop talking about it. It is impossible."

Sondhi is thought to be close to Thailand's revered monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has expressed unhappiness with Thaksin's administration.

When the move came Tuesday against the prime minister, he was in the forefront.

Sondhi took power without a shot being fired and coup officials said he will serve as acting prime minister.

[jdinasia]

You have my full support to restore the country back to a real Thai democracy.

There is no such thing in Thailand.

Western countries are keen in installing so-called "democracy" everywhere, just as if "democracy" is the cure to everything, sigh....

This reminds me of "democracy" as we had it in Europe 100 years ago, the rich were elected and you could only elect the rich, to day you americans had the choice between poor Bush and poor Kerry. Same same but different....

Can you please restrict your comments to Thailand <as your info on the USA is obviously just wrongz>

[thaigene2]

Don't celebrate just yet..

While few (farangs anyway) will be sorry to see Thaksin and his family flee to their new home in London, what makes you think this is the end of corruption?

Do you think these things happen 'for the good of the country'?

Thaksin and his big business cronies replaced a well-oiled corrupt civil service (inc those in uniforms) who's senior officials drove around in Mercs and had holiday homes in Hua Hin - all on salaries of around 30,000 Baht per month. The 10% skim money from govt contracts was denied them by Thaksin and given to his big biz buddies instead. He upset the apple cart.

Those civil 'servants' didn't like that one little bit. They were the ones leading the protests in Bangkok - you know 'the middle classes'. Doctors earning 90 or 100,000 Baht per month, but still could afford Mercs and British/American education for their kids. How does that work?

You think corrpution has been defeated and democracy now prevails? You think this coup is all a big surprise to Thaksin and the other elites in Thailand? Think they didn't know this would happen - maybe they were even involved? Let's wait and see..ok?

Edited September 20, 2006 by thaigene2

[marquess]

This is a great day in Thailand's history, and when there is an elected government back in power, there first act should be to declair Sept. 20 a puplic holiday- Thaksin Liberation Day. Bars can stay open to commemerate this great day

Here here to that!

[TravelBUG]

US calls for peaceful solution

WASHINGTON: The United States called on the people of Thailand Tuesday to resolve their political differences peacefully, the State Department said.

A spokesman, Kenneth Bailes, said the department had seen reports of military movements and the declaration of a state of emergency by the prime minister.

"We are monitoring developments but the situation at the moment is unclear,'' he said.

"We look to the Thai people to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner and in accord with the principles of democracy and the rule of law,'' Bailes said. – AP

OF COURSE THE US CALLS FOR PEACEFUL SOLUTION!!!... (enter sarcasm here!)

....when DOESNT the US stick their nose into other countries business???

For gods sake, it hasnt even been half a day since the military moved in.. and yet the US feels its their responsibility to make demands.

Im not interested in politics, but one thing i do know is that the US government has caused enough trouble in enough countries.

Keep your big nose out of it Bush.. and let the thai officials sort it out themselves.

Edited September 20, 2006 by TravelBUG

[h90]

Maybe Thailand should demand that USA is finding a peacefull solution for Iraq....

US calls for peaceful solution

WASHINGTON: The United States called on the people of Thailand Tuesday to resolve their political differences peacefully, the State Department said.

A spokesman, Kenneth Bailes, said the department had seen reports of military movements and the declaration of a state of emergency by the prime minister.

"We are monitoring developments but the situation at the moment is unclear,'' he said.

"We look to the Thai people to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner and in accord with the principles of democracy and the rule of law,'' Bailes said. – AP

OF COURSE THE US CALLS FOR PEACEFUL SOLUTION!!!... (enter sarcasm here!)

....when DOESNT the US stick their nose into other countries business???

For gods sake, it hasnt even been half a day since the military moved in.. and yet the US feels its their responsibility to make demands.

Im not interested in politics, but one thing i do know is that the US government has caused enough trouble in enough countries.

Keep your big nose out of it Bush.. and let the thai officials sort it out themselves.

[kudroz]

The US should demand what they want, the world is rightfully theirs as they are the most powerful nation on earth. I hope they put their nose real deep into the present conflict and teach the turd world how it's done.

*being sarcastic*

[nikster]

You think corrpution and democracy have prevailed? You think this coup is all a big surprise to Thaksin and the other elites in Thailand? Let's wait and see..ok?

I certainly think that corruption has prevailed! As it always will

[Totster]

Lets not see this topic degenerate into a discussion about US politics please.

totster

[loveandlaughter]

Here is the Guardian (UK) profile of Thaksin an interesting read:

The ex-policeman who made grand promises but didn't deliver

John Aglionby

Wednesday September 20, 2006

For Thaksin Shinawatra to be forced out in a coup d'etat would be a strange twist in the career of a man who has preferred to write his own rulebooks rather than abide by prevailing conventions.

From his transformation from a police colonel into the country's most popular leader, via a farcical attempt to buy Liverpool football club in 2004 and an alleged plot on his life last month, Mr Thaksin has always led a larger-than-life existence where wheeling and dealing behind the scenes has been as important as what is presented to the public.

His chameleon nature emerged when he resigned from the police in 1987. He claimed to be burnt-out but the reality was he had used his police connections to establish a software marketing company which, true to form, he named after himself, the Shinawatra Company.

Three years later he helped fuel rumours that he was bankrupt but then almost magically obtained a 20-year concession from the Thai telephone authorities for his mobile network and his future was assured.

In 1994, having conquered the business world, the tycoon, who had obtained a PhD in criminal justice from a little-known university in Texas while in the police, turned to politics.

In 1998 he created his own party, Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais), saying the existing parties were tainted by decades of failure to deliver sustainable development.

Populist promises to deliver cheap healthcare, village rejuvenation projects and a debt moratorium for farmers turned Mr Thaksin into an overnight hero. In the 2001 general election Thai Rak Thai swept into office with the first absolute majority in Thai political history.

That might have been enough for most politicians. But in May 2004 it emerged he was in "serious" talks to buy a controlling stake of Liverpool football club. Mr Thaksin said his motivation was to associate Thailand with world-class brands rather than the sex industry and drug trade.

The fact that the Liverpool deal never happened was typical of the prime minister's past two years: lots of grand promises followed by failure to deliver.

His popularity with the rural masses is strong but Thailand's better-educated urbanites have mobilised against him. What proved the last straw was the sale by Mr Thaksin's relatives in January of their stake in the family conglomerate to Singapore without paying any tax.

[Nawtilus]

one of the better nights out I have had till the early wee wee hours of the mornin

[Ulysses G.]

Asking for a peaceful solution is now a crime?

Only to the wack-job fringe.

[Nawtilus]

I guess that fixed the visa on arrival problem for a little while

[dbm]

Let's be realistic here and stop talking about Thailand and democracy.Thailand has never been a democracy. Vote buying for one negates the democratic ideal.The local TRT candidate for last Aprils election offered a lady in the next village a buffalo if her family would vote TRT. I'm not kidding. Besides, one cannot run for parliament in this country unless you have a Bachelors degree, which effectively alienates the vast majority of the population from excercising their " democratic" right.Let's not fool ourselves---there is no democracy here.

BTW- where I live is solidly anti TRT and it's like a holiday here. People are happy and opptimistic about this.

[phuketrichard]

Head of Army confirms coup

BANGKOK: At 9:23 am, 23 minutes behind schedule, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkarin, Army Chief and leader of the Administrative Reform Council (ARC), along with the Chiefs of the Royal Thai Navy, Air Force and Police as well as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces announced that they had successfully seized power.

Gen Sonthi announced that the Constitution of 1997 had been withdrawn and the senate, parliament, ministerial cabinet, and constitutional court had all been dissolved. He continued that the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces along with the Heads of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police all backed the move.

He said that the rule of the acting government had caused deep divisions in society as had never before occurred in Thailand and that the administration of the country had been widely mismanaged, corrupt and had been run for the benefit of the government’s cronies.

He added that the government had also interfer ed in the work of independent bodies to the extent that they could not perform their duty or solve the nations problems.

If the situation was allowed to continue it would have consequences to national security and the economy, therefore the ARC had to step in and seize power to bring the situation under control and return the country back to normality, he said.

Gen Sonthi assured the population that the council had no intention of ruling the country permanently and would return power to the people under the constitutional monarchy as soon as possible and would uphold peace, stability and the monarchy.

He concluded by asking the people to remain calm and to help the Council achieve their aims.

Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura is currently unavailable for comment as all provincial governors have been called to report themselves to their regional military command. Therefore Governor Udomsak this morning traveled to Nakhon Sri Thammarat to report to the army’s Region 4 Command.

Airport Director Sq/Ldr Pornchai Eua-aree this morning confirmed that all flights are continuing as normal and that troops from Krabi are now managing security at the airport.

Brought to you by:

The Phuket Gazette

10:57 local time (GMT +7)

[Jai Dee]

Latest developments from The Nation:

10:00 am Sondhi Limthongkul, a decision maker of the People's Alliance for Democracy, announces that the planned rally in the evening is cancelled. Sondhi also praises the army chief for staging the coup.

10:15 am Chamlong Srimuang, a decision maker of the PAD, passes the front of the army head office in a taxi. People give him an applaud as the taxi passes by.

10:40 am A spokesman of the AMC announces on TV pool that AMC invites students to take part in political reform. The spokesman says Gen Sonthi invites students to send suggestions on political reform to the AMC.

10:42 am A spokesman announces on TV pool that the AMC realises the problem of farmers and is considering how to help them so they should not demonstrate now.

10:45 am An AMC spokeswoman announces on TV pool that the AMC will take drastic action against any trader who hoard goods.

The spokeswoman also announces that the political gathering of more than five people is banned.

10:52 am An AMC spokesman reads an order of AMC leader Gen Sonthi for the Information and Communication Technology Ministry to check and censor any type of information dissemination that could affect the works of the AMC.

Source: The Nation - 20 September 2006

[Jai Dee]

Bank of Thailand Governor reportedly accepted to become the Prime Minister

Bank of Thailand Governor MR Pridayadhorn Devakula cut short his trip to attend the International Monetary Fund/World Bank meeting in Singapore and he will arrive Bangkok at noontime. He said he agreed to accept to become Prime Minister. Nonetheless, it was expected that there would be a press conference at the Arm Force auditorium Wednesday.

Source: The Nation - 20 September 2006