Thaksin's speech to the U.N. General Assembly was brought forward to Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. (2300 GMT) after the coup attempt. He had been due to speak on Wednesday afternoon.
Would be interesting to know, what he has to say.
In the German News some SEA-"experts" are saying, that a countercoup could take place, and that Thaksin is trying to work on it.
He would like to return with pleasure as a ' strong man ' and rescuer of the nation.
Update:
Seems there won't be a successful countercoup!?
It's reported that Maj Gen Triarong Intharathat, Dusit Khireewan, Dr Prommin Loedsureedej are now under arrest,too ... while the commander of the 9th infantry division, the 1st division (royal guard), the 2nd cavalry division are going to report to Gen Sondhi .
ONLY Thammarak and Samak are still there.
2nd update:
Thaksin cancels UN assembly speech after Thai coup
United Nations, USA - - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra cancelled plans to make a speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, following the coup attempt in Bangkok, the UN announced.
Agence France Presse
CNN 8:30 a.m. --Tanks rolling into BKK
COUP D'ETAT
zArmed forces and national police take over government
POST REPORTERS
Troops loyal to army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin last night staged a coup d'etat to oust caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was in New York and due to address the United Nations General Assembly. The coup makers called themselves the Democratic Reform Council, led by Gen Sonthi. In an announcement flashed across national television, they said they comprised the commanders of the three armed forces and the national police chief.
The council cited unprecedented division in the country, widespread suspicion of abuse of power, and activities bordering on lese majeste for taking power for a period they promised would be temporary.
Tanks and troops of the Fourth Cavalry Battalion moved into Government House and other strategic points in Bangkok, including the Royal Plaza.
The coup came after Mr Thaksin declared a state of emergency in Bangkok.
In a statement relayed from New York and carried by Channel 9, he sacked the army chief and put the armed forces supreme commander, Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranont, in charge of enforcing the state of emergency. Both were to report to Pol Gen Chidchai Wannasathit, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister whom Mr Thaksin named as acting prime minister.
The council said it had the situation under control and there was no resistance.
As of press time, it was not known how long the council would remain in power and when it would appoint an interim government.
The council revoked the State of Emergency declared by Mr Thaksin and imposed martial law at around 12.30.
Shortly afterwards, the council abrogated the 1997 constitution, dissolved the Constitution Court, the caretaker government and the Senate.
The council was reported to be based at army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue.
The council was reported to have blocked the website of a so-called fake media outlet calling itself The Reporter.
Mr Thaksin's statement was relayed at about 10.20 pm but was disrupted around 10 minutes later.
Sources later told the Bangkok Post that troops had burst into the offices of Channel 9 and told the station officers to stop running the statement.
Sources said Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda yesterday tried to mediate between troops loyal to the army chief and another army faction loyal to Mr Thaksin.
During the talks, Gen Prem was reported to have been summoned to the Royal Palace. Nothing more was known.
The council leaders were also summoned to the palace late last night.
Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkol were all in New York with Mr Thaksin.
Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob, Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra and her son Panthongtae left for Singapore at about 9.00 pm.
Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak are currently in France, and are likely to postpone their return.
Pol Gen Chidchai, Defence Minister Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, Social Welfare Minister Wattana Muangsuk, PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva were reportedly at home at the time.
A cabinet source said the armed forces and police decided to stage the coup to avert a possible clash between an anti-Thaksin rally that the People's Alliance for Democracy planned to stage today, and members of the forestry police.
The source said the forestry police based at Khao Yai National Park were due to move into Bangkok today to quash the PAD-led protests.
The forestry police are equipped with HK 33 rifles and well trained for confrontations with the protesters.
The army last month asked the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department to return around 1,000 rifles, which were loaned to forest rangers several years ago. But Gen Sonthi at the time downplayed the political implications of a plan to take back of the rifles, saying the army was in dire need of weapons.
The source said several cabinet ministers had been alerted about the coup yesterday afternoon and many started to pack their belongings and left their offices for good.
In New York, government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee denied the coup had been successful, saying the seizure of TV station headquarters did not guarantee its success. Seizing power by means of a coup was no longer acceptable in the modern world.
He said the coup makers comprised people losing power and benefits but he refused to be specific. Mr Surapong denied the coup had anything to do with the military reshuffle, saying consideration of the reshuffle list had not been on Mr Thaksin's recent agenda.
He said Pol Gen Chidchai was not under arrest, as rumoured, because he had just spoken to him on the phone.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is poised to face mass selling in today's trading amid fears that there could be a counter coup by supporters of Mr Thaksin, analysts said.
BANGKOK POST
zArmed forces and national police take over government
POST REPORTERS
Troops loyal to army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin last night staged a coup d'etat to oust caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was in New York and due to address the United Nations General Assembly. The coup makers called themselves the Democratic Reform Council, led by Gen Sonthi. In an announcement flashed across national television, they said they comprised the commanders of the three armed forces and the national police chief.
The council cited unprecedented division in the country, widespread suspicion of abuse of power, and activities bordering on lese majeste for taking power for a period they promised would be temporary.
Tanks and troops of the Fourth Cavalry Battalion moved into Government House and other strategic points in Bangkok, including the Royal Plaza.
The coup came after Mr Thaksin declared a state of emergency in Bangkok.
In a statement relayed from New York and carried by Channel 9, he sacked the army chief and put the armed forces supreme commander, Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranont, in charge of enforcing the state of emergency. Both were to report to Pol Gen Chidchai Wannasathit, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister whom Mr Thaksin named as acting prime minister.
The council said it had the situation under control and there was no resistance.
As of press time, it was not known how long the council would remain in power and when it would appoint an interim government.
The council revoked the State of Emergency declared by Mr Thaksin and imposed martial law at around 12.30.
Shortly afterwards, the council abrogated the 1997 constitution, dissolved the Constitution Court, the caretaker government and the Senate.
The council was reported to be based at army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue.
The council was reported to have blocked the website of a so-called fake media outlet calling itself The Reporter.
Mr Thaksin's statement was relayed at about 10.20 pm but was disrupted around 10 minutes later.
Sources later told the Bangkok Post that troops had burst into the offices of Channel 9 and told the station officers to stop running the statement.
Sources said Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda yesterday tried to mediate between troops loyal to the army chief and another army faction loyal to Mr Thaksin.
During the talks, Gen Prem was reported to have been summoned to the Royal Palace. Nothing more was known.
The council leaders were also summoned to the palace late last night.
Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkol were all in New York with Mr Thaksin.
Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob, Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra and her son Panthongtae left for Singapore at about 9.00 pm.
Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak are currently in France, and are likely to postpone their return.
Pol Gen Chidchai, Defence Minister Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, Social Welfare Minister Wattana Muangsuk, PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva were reportedly at home at the time.
A cabinet source said the armed forces and police decided to stage the coup to avert a possible clash between an anti-Thaksin rally that the People's Alliance for Democracy planned to stage today, and members of the forestry police.
The source said the forestry police based at Khao Yai National Park were due to move into Bangkok today to quash the PAD-led protests.
The forestry police are equipped with HK 33 rifles and well trained for confrontations with the protesters.
The army last month asked the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department to return around 1,000 rifles, which were loaned to forest rangers several years ago. But Gen Sonthi at the time downplayed the political implications of a plan to take back of the rifles, saying the army was in dire need of weapons.
The source said several cabinet ministers had been alerted about the coup yesterday afternoon and many started to pack their belongings and left their offices for good.
In New York, government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee denied the coup had been successful, saying the seizure of TV station headquarters did not guarantee its success. Seizing power by means of a coup was no longer acceptable in the modern world.
He said the coup makers comprised people losing power and benefits but he refused to be specific. Mr Surapong denied the coup had anything to do with the military reshuffle, saying consideration of the reshuffle list had not been on Mr Thaksin's recent agenda.
He said Pol Gen Chidchai was not under arrest, as rumoured, because he had just spoken to him on the phone.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is poised to face mass selling in today's trading amid fears that there could be a counter coup by supporters of Mr Thaksin, analysts said.
BANGKOK POST
There are some new announcements from the military government.
(sourced from Bangkok Post side)
Text of Official announcements:
Announcements:
The national government through the current administration has caused conflicts and undermined the harmony of the people as never before in history.
Each side is determined to win by any means and the discord has shown a tendency to escalate.
Many people have been suspicious about the actions of the national administration under a constitutional monarchy.
The country has been governed in a way as to suggest widespread corruption. The independent agencies have been dominated by politics. The constitutional intention has been left unserved.
This has led to political activities becoming problem-plagued on many fronts and the situation had worsened to the point where violations against His Majesty the King, whom the people hold in the highest regard, are in danger of occurring. This is despite efforts by many sections of society to resolve the problem on a continued basis. The efforts have not pacified the growing tension, however. For this reason, the Democratic Reform Council with the monarch as its head, which comprises the armed forces leaders and chief of the Royal Thai Police Office, has found it imperative to seize the power of government from this point onward. The council is steadfast in its objective, which is not to take over the government permanently and it will hand back the power to the people as soon as possible.
The council is committed to preserving national peace and security and to upholding the monarchy whom we Thais hold in the highest respect.
First coup announcement:
In reference to the council's announcement of its power seizure earlier, for the sake of peace and order to prevail in the country, the council has imposed nationwide martial law. The council has repealed the state of emergency declared on Sept 19 at 9.05pm. This announcement is made by Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, head of the Democratic Reform Council.
Second coup announcement:
The council has ordered that all mobilisation and movement of military logistics and manpower be prohibited. Military personnel are absolutely not to leave their units without permission from the council.
Third coup announcement:
1. The current constitution, drafted in 1997, is now repealed.
2. The House of Representatives, the Senate, the Cabinet and the Constitution Court are now dissolved along with the abrogation of the constitution.
3. The privy councillors will remain in their duty.
4. The courts of justice, except the Constitution Court, will retain their full power to adjudicate cases according to the law and the announcements of the council.
(sourced from Bangkok Post side)
Text of Official announcements:
Announcements:
The national government through the current administration has caused conflicts and undermined the harmony of the people as never before in history.
Each side is determined to win by any means and the discord has shown a tendency to escalate.
Many people have been suspicious about the actions of the national administration under a constitutional monarchy.
The country has been governed in a way as to suggest widespread corruption. The independent agencies have been dominated by politics. The constitutional intention has been left unserved.
This has led to political activities becoming problem-plagued on many fronts and the situation had worsened to the point where violations against His Majesty the King, whom the people hold in the highest regard, are in danger of occurring. This is despite efforts by many sections of society to resolve the problem on a continued basis. The efforts have not pacified the growing tension, however. For this reason, the Democratic Reform Council with the monarch as its head, which comprises the armed forces leaders and chief of the Royal Thai Police Office, has found it imperative to seize the power of government from this point onward. The council is steadfast in its objective, which is not to take over the government permanently and it will hand back the power to the people as soon as possible.
The council is committed to preserving national peace and security and to upholding the monarchy whom we Thais hold in the highest respect.
First coup announcement:
In reference to the council's announcement of its power seizure earlier, for the sake of peace and order to prevail in the country, the council has imposed nationwide martial law. The council has repealed the state of emergency declared on Sept 19 at 9.05pm. This announcement is made by Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, head of the Democratic Reform Council.
Second coup announcement:
The council has ordered that all mobilisation and movement of military logistics and manpower be prohibited. Military personnel are absolutely not to leave their units without permission from the council.
Third coup announcement:
1. The current constitution, drafted in 1997, is now repealed.
2. The House of Representatives, the Senate, the Cabinet and the Constitution Court are now dissolved along with the abrogation of the constitution.
3. The privy councillors will remain in their duty.
4. The courts of justice, except the Constitution Court, will retain their full power to adjudicate cases according to the law and the announcements of the council.
Thai military declares Wednesday holiday to announce "new policy"
Coup leaders declared Wednesday a national holiday and called top civil servants and foreign diplomats to a meeting at military headquarters to update the situations.
The coup leaders declared Wednesday "a holiday for government, banks and the stock exchange in order to quickly restore law and order," according to a statement read on national television.
They told top civil servants, leaders of state enterprises, and university presidents around Bangkok to meet at military headquarters at 9am "to learn about the new policy," the statement said.
An informed source said Gen Sonthi Bunyaratglin, coup leader, has ordered to invite foreign diplomats to attend the meeting to update them about the current situations in the country.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09 ... 014080.php
Fate of PM's men unknown ; wife in Singapore
Many politicians and those with links to caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were spread far and wide on Tuesday night as the news of the coup broke in Bangkok.
First lady Pojaman reportedly flew to Singapore on Monday and it is not known whether Panthongtae, the family's only son, followed his mother on Tuesday night.
The whereabouts of the PM's daughters Paethongtae and Pinthongta were not known.
Thaksin is in New York at a hotel, where he has reportedly been watching the United Nations General Assembly and keeping abreast of developments here.
Many Cabinet members and other people deemed hostile by the "Council of Administrative Reform" have been detained.
Deputy prime minister Chidchai Vanasatidya and Supreme Commander Ruengroj Mahasaranont and proThaksin television host Dusit Siriwan are among them. Head of the Mass Communications Organisation of Thailand Mingkwan Saengsuwan was apprehended by anti-Thaksin troops at Channel 9 compound after it aired a statement of Thaksin, from New York, announcing a state of emergency and relieving Army commander Sonthi Boonyaratglin from his post.
Deputy Thai Rak Thai leader and caretaker Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan reportedly flew to Paris with her family.
Defence Minister General Thamarak Isarangura na Ayutthaya reportedly escaped arrest narrowly and has fled upcountry.
PM's secretary general Prommin Lertsuridej reportedly made an unplanned landing in the Phillippines during a trip abroad while Bank of Thailand governor MR Pridiyathorn Devekula was in Singapore.
Deputy Thai Rak Thai Party leader Somsak Thepsuthin said he was shocked by last night's coup and never thought it could really happen. A number of TRT MPs may meet today at the party headquarters.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09 ... 014082.php
Thaksin forces the military to act
Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai told Associated Press that Thaksin had forced the military to act.
"As politicians, we do not support any kind of coup, but during the past five years, the government of Thaksin created several conditions that forced the military to stage the coup. Thaksin has caused the crisis in the country," he told the AP.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... d=30014081
Coup leaders declared Wednesday a national holiday and called top civil servants and foreign diplomats to a meeting at military headquarters to update the situations.
The coup leaders declared Wednesday "a holiday for government, banks and the stock exchange in order to quickly restore law and order," according to a statement read on national television.
They told top civil servants, leaders of state enterprises, and university presidents around Bangkok to meet at military headquarters at 9am "to learn about the new policy," the statement said.
An informed source said Gen Sonthi Bunyaratglin, coup leader, has ordered to invite foreign diplomats to attend the meeting to update them about the current situations in the country.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09 ... 014080.php
Fate of PM's men unknown ; wife in Singapore
Many politicians and those with links to caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were spread far and wide on Tuesday night as the news of the coup broke in Bangkok.
First lady Pojaman reportedly flew to Singapore on Monday and it is not known whether Panthongtae, the family's only son, followed his mother on Tuesday night.
The whereabouts of the PM's daughters Paethongtae and Pinthongta were not known.
Thaksin is in New York at a hotel, where he has reportedly been watching the United Nations General Assembly and keeping abreast of developments here.
Many Cabinet members and other people deemed hostile by the "Council of Administrative Reform" have been detained.
Deputy prime minister Chidchai Vanasatidya and Supreme Commander Ruengroj Mahasaranont and proThaksin television host Dusit Siriwan are among them. Head of the Mass Communications Organisation of Thailand Mingkwan Saengsuwan was apprehended by anti-Thaksin troops at Channel 9 compound after it aired a statement of Thaksin, from New York, announcing a state of emergency and relieving Army commander Sonthi Boonyaratglin from his post.
Deputy Thai Rak Thai leader and caretaker Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan reportedly flew to Paris with her family.
Defence Minister General Thamarak Isarangura na Ayutthaya reportedly escaped arrest narrowly and has fled upcountry.
PM's secretary general Prommin Lertsuridej reportedly made an unplanned landing in the Phillippines during a trip abroad while Bank of Thailand governor MR Pridiyathorn Devekula was in Singapore.
Deputy Thai Rak Thai Party leader Somsak Thepsuthin said he was shocked by last night's coup and never thought it could really happen. A number of TRT MPs may meet today at the party headquarters.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09 ... 014082.php
Thaksin forces the military to act
Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai told Associated Press that Thaksin had forced the military to act.
"As politicians, we do not support any kind of coup, but during the past five years, the government of Thaksin created several conditions that forced the military to stage the coup. Thaksin has caused the crisis in the country," he told the AP.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakin ... d=30014081
EU calls for 'democratic order' in Thailand, tourists warned
Paris - European governments, airlines and travel companies expressed concern Tuesday at the military coup in Thailand, with the European Union demanding an immediate return to "democratic order."
Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said Thailand needed to "revert to democratic order without delay."
"It is highly regrettable that democratic institutions seem to have been taken over by military force," he said in a statement.
The EU appeal came after Thailand's army chief said he had seized control in a coup and ousted controversial Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is now in New York.
France urged some 6,000 French citizens resident in Bangkok to "stay indoors," according to the foreign ministry here.
"We are following the situation closely," the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that hotels in Bangkok had been contacted to pass on the information to French guests.
Herman van Gelderen, spokesman for Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot, said the minister was "very worried" but could not comment further for want of information.
The Netherlands main airline, KLM, said it had made no changes to its flights to Bangkok for the moment, as the situation in the Thai capital appeared to be calm.
Britons traveling to Bangkok or who are already there should monitor all available information and avoid large crowds and demonstrations, the British Foreign Office said.
France's national Travel Agents union said it had set up a crisis committee and was in contact with the foreign and tourism ministries in Paris.
Rene-Marc Chikli, chairman of the Association of French Tour Operators said some 5,000 French tourists were currently on package holidays in the southeast Asian country, famous for its hill treks, nightlife and beaches.
"The situation is calm," he stressed. "Tour operators have made contact with hotels to check that tourists are safe."
The Scandinavian airline SAS said it would maintain regular services to Bangkok. "On the basis of the information we have we can do this quite safely," Jens Langergaard of SAS-Denmark told AFP.
He noted that SAS had served Thailand in times of crisis before and had not encountered any problems.
A spokesman for Finnair told the Finnish news agency FNB that the company was "constantly monitoring the situation", adding: "For now everything is operating normally."
Thailand's armed forces said Tuesday they had ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup and imposed martial law to restore order after months of political turmoil.
Troops and tanks surrounded the offices of Thaksin, who was out of the country at the United Nations, while military leaders said they had suspended the constitution and the government.
Agence France Presse
Paris - European governments, airlines and travel companies expressed concern Tuesday at the military coup in Thailand, with the European Union demanding an immediate return to "democratic order."
Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said Thailand needed to "revert to democratic order without delay."
"It is highly regrettable that democratic institutions seem to have been taken over by military force," he said in a statement.
The EU appeal came after Thailand's army chief said he had seized control in a coup and ousted controversial Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is now in New York.
France urged some 6,000 French citizens resident in Bangkok to "stay indoors," according to the foreign ministry here.
"We are following the situation closely," the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that hotels in Bangkok had been contacted to pass on the information to French guests.
Herman van Gelderen, spokesman for Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot, said the minister was "very worried" but could not comment further for want of information.
The Netherlands main airline, KLM, said it had made no changes to its flights to Bangkok for the moment, as the situation in the Thai capital appeared to be calm.
Britons traveling to Bangkok or who are already there should monitor all available information and avoid large crowds and demonstrations, the British Foreign Office said.
France's national Travel Agents union said it had set up a crisis committee and was in contact with the foreign and tourism ministries in Paris.
Rene-Marc Chikli, chairman of the Association of French Tour Operators said some 5,000 French tourists were currently on package holidays in the southeast Asian country, famous for its hill treks, nightlife and beaches.
"The situation is calm," he stressed. "Tour operators have made contact with hotels to check that tourists are safe."
The Scandinavian airline SAS said it would maintain regular services to Bangkok. "On the basis of the information we have we can do this quite safely," Jens Langergaard of SAS-Denmark told AFP.
He noted that SAS had served Thailand in times of crisis before and had not encountered any problems.
A spokesman for Finnair told the Finnish news agency FNB that the company was "constantly monitoring the situation", adding: "For now everything is operating normally."
Thailand's armed forces said Tuesday they had ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup and imposed martial law to restore order after months of political turmoil.
Troops and tanks surrounded the offices of Thaksin, who was out of the country at the United Nations, while military leaders said they had suspended the constitution and the government.
Agence France Presse
United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, travel advisory:
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 positions around the Thai government headquarters in Bangkok and blocking traffic. The British Embassy in Bangkok is closely monitoring the situation. If you are currently in Bangkok, you should stay put and avoid moving around the city. If you intend to travel to, or are currently in Bangkok, you should monitor all available information on the local situation and keep in contact with your tour operator. You should also avoid any demonstrations and large crowds. Movements around government buildings and in public may be restricted until the situation becomes clearer.
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 positions around the Thai government headquarters in Bangkok and blocking traffic. The British Embassy in Bangkok is closely monitoring the situation. If you are currently in Bangkok, you should stay put and avoid moving around the city. If you intend to travel to, or are currently in Bangkok, you should monitor all available information on the local situation and keep in contact with your tour operator. You should also avoid any demonstrations and large crowds. Movements around government buildings and in public may be restricted until the situation becomes clearer.
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- Deceased
- Posts: 3470
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Perhaps they have got Pol Pot and Idi Amin to join them.hogus wrote:...and now one of the most funny news in my eyes
Some of former Ministers who are now in Singapore said, "We are going to set up government in exile in Singapore! We'll try to get the approval from UN to accept our government...."
Anyway according to the missus the Kingb has signed a decree not allowing Thaksin or his inner circle back into the country. There is also a big question mark over the missing 15 billion US Dollars that has been wired to various countries around the world mainly in the west or supporters of the western financial axis such as Singapore. It looks so far that any rift between different army factions is purely a figment of the western press which I presume controls the Bangkok Post and the Nation as well.
The independent news media are telling a much diluted version of the story. Troops were brought out as a precautionary measure not to stage acoup. Officially no coup has taken place. The King, as I believe the English Queen, can disolve parliament witout notice whenever they see fit. In this case it is a bout three weeks overdue. It should have been done when Taxin started his fake car bomb game. We may then have avoided the deaths in Had Yai which I believe had nothing to do with the existing problems in the South. Completely different MO. More like the 70s IRA style.
We will know more tomorrow when the dust settles. I reckon we will have a hell of a party if he reallly has gone.
[color=blue][size=134]Care in the community success story.[/size][/color]
Yes, Steve, that's absolutely brilliantSTEVE G wrote:This is why I love Asia; from The New Straits Times, KL:
Around the Royal Palace, the streets quickly cleared of tourists, but some vendors hurried to Government House and the United Nations building, where they said they hoped to make some money selling food to the soldiers.
...and some other updates:
His Majesty grants audience to Administrative Reform Council
His Majesty the King granted an audience to the Administrative Reform Council at midnight.
A TV announcer said His Majesty granted the audience to Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, head of the council, Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm Sathiraphan Keyanon, Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Chalit Pukphasuk and Supreme Commander Gen Ruangroj Mahasalanon at midnight Tuesday.
The Nation
Regional army chiefs appointed heads of areas
The Administrative Reform Council issued its third order to appoint chiefs of four army areas to be peace keeping directors of their areas.
The order appointed the first, second, third and fourth army region commanders to be in charge of their respective areas and have power to command civil servants.
The order instructed provincial governors and other heads of government agencies as well as rectors of universities in each army area to report themselves to the army area commander.
The Nation
From The Malasia Star, it doesn’t sound so bad:
Tanks and armoured vehicles swiftly took up positions at key points across the city, while television stations broadcast a brief statement declaring martial law and apologising "for any inconvenience".
Some restaurants and shops closed in the initial confusion, but for most of the night it was business as usual in Bangkok.
With no curfew, bargirls continued to serve up cold beers along Patpong, the notorious strip of go-go bars.
Tanks and armoured vehicles swiftly took up positions at key points across the city, while television stations broadcast a brief statement declaring martial law and apologising "for any inconvenience".
Some restaurants and shops closed in the initial confusion, but for most of the night it was business as usual in Bangkok.
With no curfew, bargirls continued to serve up cold beers along Patpong, the notorious strip of go-go bars.
