CNN Breaking: Tanks Roll Into Bangkok, Thailand Amid Coup Rumors

[VolcanoJen]

This is quite a news day... I'll update this thread with a link when it emerges.

UPDATE:

Reuters Article:

Tanks head for central Bangkok, reasons unknown

More than 10 tanks blocked roads around Thailand's government headquarters in Bangkok on Tuesday, Reuters witnesses said, and Army television broadcast images of the royal family and songs associated in the past with military coups.

Government officials said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in the middle of a political crisis fomented by a street campaign against him, planned to return from New York on Thursday, a day earlier than scheduled. They gave no reason.


I believe CNN's information is newer than this article, but it's all I can find at the moment from inside Thailand:

Coup Speculation Updated

Channel 9 and 5 have been ordered to stand by for special announcement as coup speculation reached the highest pitch.

Coup was widely speculated after many army units were moved out of their barracks on pretext of personnel rotation.

Sources said Channel 5 would broadcast an announcement by the military at 10 pm while Channel 9 may broadcast announcement of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from New York.

Channel 5 is playing songs in praising of His Majesty the King in an indication that an announcement may be made soon.

Earlier, the day an army source said Army Commander-in-Chief has instructed all army units in Bangkok to standby for an important event.

[rocktivity]

1. Tanks rolling in from where?

:scared:
rocknation

[VolcanoJen]

4. Not sure...

... the Reuters article says they're rolling in from "outside Bangkok."

Apparently state TV is showing images of the royal family, and playing patriotic songs.

That's not usually a good sign...

[Truthiness Inspector]

2. Thanks for posting this

So far all I've heard is "Thai PM declares state of emergency."

[tanyev]

3. How dare they upstage Bush's address to the UN.

He'll be in a snit tonight.

[VolcanoJen]

6. CNN's all over it

This is pretty amazing... and right as Bush is scheduled to begin his speech.

I have a feeling they'll show it for 15 minutes and go right back to Bangkok.

[jobycom]

5. And who will be the first to make a Murray Head reference? Not me.

:)

[mikeytherat]

That song WAS out my head.

WAS, thankyouverymuch!

The cruel curse of the Earworm!

mikey_the_rat

[lwcon]

13. "and the city don't know what the city is getting"

___

Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[Akoto]

7. According to CNN ...

There may be a military coup in progress.

They just said that the military appears to have taken over radio and TV stations.

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. NPR is reporting the same thing.

Not good.

[Penndems]

8. The Thai Prime Minister has left the United Nations to return to Bangkok

Sounds like a coup d'etat in his home country is in the making.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. I've got family in Thailand.

My ex son-in-law was also in Manila when tanks rolled into the city. What rotten luck. I should give him a call.

[Cha]

16. My son is in Thailand right now!

He went over there the 1st of September to hopefully bring his Thai wife back with him to Kauai. She had an Embassy appointment September 8 to find out if she could get her American Visa. This is scaring the shyte outta me! Tim is scheduled to fly back to Kauai on Sept 21!

What the hell's gonna happen?!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. I wouldn't worry yet.

The last time this happened my son-in-law had some interesting stories to tell, but was perfectly fine. Either government loved American tourists and he was out of harm's way at all times.

I'm sure he'll be fine.

[Cha]

20. Thank you, Bornaginhooligan!

You just helped my day! :) All the loops he's jumped through to get her home with him and now this was just a little too much. I hope they can leave the airport.

[Penndems]

21. You and the previous poster should have your children contact the Consular

Office at the American Embassy in Bangkok. There's no travel advisory posted yet on the State Department's website (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html), but they need to be packed and on stand-by, in the event a warning to American citizens in Thailand is issued to evacuate.

If non-essential Embassy personnel are ordered out of the country, that would be your son and his wife's cue to leave.

[Cha]

25. Thank you, Penndems! I have

no way to contact my son over there(he was going to call me, hmmm) but knowing him he'll be figuring out all the escape plans, right now!

I still worry. :(

[Penndems]

26. Understand your concerns completely

As long as they stay in Bangkok, they should be all right. This wouldn't be a good time to go sightseeing in the other provinces. :scared:

Your son and his wife DEFINITELY need to be packed, check in with the Embassy Consular Section and on stand-by. Don't want to wait until the last minute, in the event of an evacuation.

[Cha]

27. They'll be staying in Bangkok...

he's been over there many times and we've talked about the bombings in the south from the fundies before.

Just 3 more days until his reservations but maybe he's trying to get it moved up as we type?

[QuestionAll...]

32. I have friends planning to go to Thailand in a week or so...

;(
They've saved and planned for so long...

will have to wait and see.

[Penndems]

37. Your friends may want to do just that

It's best to wait a few days, and see how this scenario plays out. Don't want them to get caught up in the middle of a coup d'etat!

Then again, it may be nothing. We'll just have to wait and see.

[crispini]

66. Yes, don't worry.

They have a coup over there every few years. Usually bloodless. I was there for the last one. It's not usually a problem.

[Taverner]

71. I wouldn't worry

There have been several military coups in Thailand and this one appears to be bloodless.

[ButterflyBlood]

11. Looks like Thaksin (Thai Bush) is going to get his ass ousted

Ouch. Bye bye bastard.

[VolcanoJen]

12. State of Emergency Declared: latest update from inside Thailand

This site is starting to move very, very slow:

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/19/headlines/headlines_30014063.php

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declared state of emergency in Bangkok and transferred Army Commander in Chief Sondhi Bunyaglarin to PM's Office.

Speaking from New York in Channel 9, Thaksin ordered Sondhi to report himself with Deputy Prime Minister Pol Gen Chidchai Wannasathit immediately.

Thaksin said he decided to declare the state of emergency because the situations were not stable.

His orders came after reports that Gen Sondhi was trying to stage a coup d'etat.

Tanks and army humvees were seen on Bangkok streets.

Kind of tricky to declare a State of Emergency and get in control of this all the way from New York, isn't it?

[MrPrax]

14. Separatist bombing campaign...

probably triggered it...

Below the radar from the weekend:

Bombs rock Thailand's southern commercial hub, kill 4

Bangkok - A series of bombs detonated Saturday night at popular tourist spots in Hat Yai, southern Thailand's main commercial hub, killed at least four people including a Canadian and wounded scores of others, officials said Sunday.

Canadian national Jessie Lee Daniel, 25, an English teacher at a Hat Yai primary school, and three Thai nationals were among the dead, said Sahathaya Keowphibul, Hat Yai Hospital's public relations officer.

Out of the 70 people injured by the blasts, 37 were still in hospital Sunday being treated for wounds. There were a dozen European and Malaysian tourists among the injured, Sahathaya said.

...

The explosions occurred despite stepped up security in the deep South as of Saturday in preparation for violence to mark the anniversary of the Pattani Islamic Mujahideen, a Muslim separatist group established in the early 1980s.

M&C

Canadian teacher reported among 4 killed in string of bomb blasts in Thailand
another link...
National comPost

(on edit)


Thailand's army still looms large in politics

Even though Thailand's last military coup was 15 years ago, when Bangkok motorists spotted tanks rolling down the street last week, many thought the army was up to its old tricks once again.

"I received more than 10 calls from people saying they had seen several tanks on the street and asking in a shaky voice if there was a coup," said Jakrapan Kunanyatirakul of FM 91 traffic radio.

"We called the army for an explanation and the answer was it was troops returning from up-country exercises."

....

Military chiefs vow the army will stay out of the mess left by April's annulled election, but with 23 coups or attempted coups during 74 years of on-off democracy, many view their protestations with skepticism.

"Although the chances of success now are much less, it's almost impossible to dismiss fears of a coup here since we still have many politically active soldiers," said security analyst Panitan Wattanayakorn at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

Reuters

added this background feature from Reuters detailing past military coups and the influence of the military in the government...

[VolcanoJen]

15. Aussies have been warned against travel to the south of Thailand

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20439702-5006301,00.html

AUSTRALIANS are being urged to reconsider holidays in Thailand, amid fears that violence in the south could spread to the rest of the country, including popular tourist areas.

One Australian was among dozens injured by a series of bombs that exploded in the southern city of Hat Yai on Saturday, claiming five lives.

The bombing is expected to take a serious toll on the area's tourist trade.

Hotel and tour operators are worried tourism will suffer from the attack after hundreds of foreigners fled the area following the bombings.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has cautioned travellers that the violence in the south could spread to other parts of Thailand.

[MrPrax]

17. Apologies...

I should have said 'under the radar' for the North American news cycle -- it looks like frontpage news in Australia.

It got a mention in Canada because a Canadian was involved...but US news is election obsessed (which it should be) and Canada is really focussed on their Afghani body count (which it should be)...

I hope I wasn't too dismissive given Aussie history in the area....

[kurth]

19. Thailand had 17 coups in the last 60 years

This is just another one. They're relatively bloodless compared to, say, Pakistan's (where the loser gets executed).

[Penndems]

22. Or in Liberia, where the same fate befell Samuel Doe when Charley Taylor's

forces overran Monrovia.

It wasn't pretty. :(

[oasis]

23. The King will calm things down. All Thais are devoted to their King.

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Wiley50]

24. test n/t

[DemoTex]

28. What sayeth the US Dept. of State?

Was Condi caught off guard by this? CIA? Ironically, I was reading about one of many Saigon coups (1963) last night. This sounds like the old days in SE Asia.


Coup de "Tot"

[saigon68]

29. the old days in SE Asia.

[brentspeak]

30. Thailand has never been conquered or been controlled by foreigners

One of the very few nations in the world that has governed itself without any outside influence. Not like they've done a very good job at it, as their sex tourism industry demonstrates.

[endarkenment]

33. Well actually would you say that the Netherlands is poorly governed?

They have a thriving sex tourism industry as well. I just flew into NYC the other day and the bus into the city passed by several prominent billboards advertising NYC's thriving sex tourism industry.

Thailand has done well in dealing with the global aids crisis, with access to condomns and education, with access to antiviral therapy. Rather than try to pretend that they do not have a sex tourism industry they have instead attempted to deal with the related problems in a fairly rational, sane manner. They can of course do better.

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:21024836~menuPK:34463~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html

[brentspeak]

84. "prominent billboards advertising NYC's thriving sex tourism industry"

????

[endarkenment]

88. oh - they are called 'gentlemen's clubs'.

Huge fancy graphics and no doubt about what exactly is for sale. We just like to pretend that we are so much more civilized than all those other cultures. Lapdance?

[ButterflyBlood]

31. Thai PM is a Bush stooge

And just as bad. He's like the worst parts of Bush and Berlusconi together.

This is almost certainly a solely domestic issue. US has nothing to gain.

[upi402]

63. It has been 15 years, I remember the '91 coup

It was a military power grab by a politico. This seems to be an attempt by the revered royal family, probably the King's son, to return the government to the people again. Just as he did in '91. However, many Thais, mostly students, dies in the streets first.

I hope that doesn't occur again.

[MisterP]

34. autogolpe perhaps? Shinawatra always made me think of Fujimori

but it's a "black box" situation--could just be a Than Shwe succeeding a Ne Win--but this is a bad portent overall

[Eugene]

35. AP: Thai Commander Takes Over After Coup

Thai Commander Takes Over After Coup


Tuesday September 19, 2006 6:46 PM

AP Photo XSL102

By GRANT PECK

Associated Press Writer

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - The Thai military launched a coup against Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday night, circling his offices with tanks, seizing control
of TV stations and declaring a provisional authority pledging loyalty to the king.
The army commander took over the government and declared martial law.

An announcement on Thai television declared that a "Council of Administrative Reform"
with King Bhumibol Adulyadej as head of state had seized power in Bangkok and nearby
provinces without any resistance.

"The armed forces commander and the national police commander have successfully
taken over Bangkok and the surrounding area in order to maintain peace and order.
There has been no struggle," the announcement said. "We ask for the cooperation of
the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience."

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6091144,00.html

[KamaAina]

36. Yow! Just last Friday I got a call from someone who just got back

from there after two years. His wife was working at a Laotian refugee camp in northern Thailand (he says a PBS doco is in the works!).

Exquisite sense of timing, buddy! He was calling from the in-laws' in St. Paul (at 1 AM CDT :eyes: )and will, in fact, be out here (where he's from) in a couple of weeks. Should make for some interesting conversation...

[Cha]

38. Good timing for your buddy! Not so good

for my son and his Thai wife if they can't fly out on September 21st. What's it like after a coup of this type? Will they let a Thai married to an American with a visa(I hope, she was suppose to get it Sept 8th)leave the country, do you think?

[Eurobabe]

39. Oh that's great hubby supposed to go to Bangkok

on business in early Oct. Bet that meeting gets called off...

Sure hope your son & his wife get out if it looks like this thing is turning ugly.

[jseankil]

40. CNN and BBC have benn taken off the air in Thailand. -CNN /nm

/nm

[Cha]

41. That doesn't sound good.

I hope to hell this thing turns out all right for people who don't want to be stuck in Thailand!

[Kade]

42. Where did this comes from??

So is it just me, or was anyone else totally blind sides by this?

From CNN's current article on their front page...

"Rumors have been swirling in the Thai capital in recent weeks that a coup d'etat was being planned."

Interesting because I've been keeping up with the news these past weeks and haven't heard shizzle about any coup plans! Oh wait, thats right, my mistake, this is real news and I've been watching CNN/MSNBC...my bad.

/sarcasm

[Robbien]

43. Follow the money?

There are big doings in Eastern Asia and the IMF where the IMF has been complaining that Eastern Asia doesn't want to keep playing the IMF game. Thailand has repaid all its IMF loans and has accumulated (along with other Asian countries) enough funds to become an IMF itself.

Somewhere in this situation you can bet the global corporate elites are messing around. Don't know if this has anything to do with the coup today, but it is always wise to keep an eye on the money.

[Zynx]

64. Not likely. The PM was a big business sort of guy.

[Xenotime]

44. Chimpy better not get any bright ideas...

[cascadiance]

45. Damn I feel my life is a disaster zone this year!

1) Lived in Bangkok as a kid in the 60's (today's coup)
2) Born in Jogyakarta, Indonesia (big earthquake and volcanic eruption this year)
3) Went to college at University of Iowa (tornado wreaked havoc downtown there earlier this year)
4) Live in CA district 50 (dealing with Cunningscam and many other politician fraudsters)
5) Lived in Turkey as a kid (at the center of the Iraq War controversies, Valerie Plame scandal, etc.)
6) Lived in Fairfax, VA and Washington DC as a kid (now a political disaster zone with Bushco there!)

What's next? Watch out those in the Bay Area, Hawaii, and in Michigan! You might be next! :)

[uppityperson]

46. BBC link. Military coup is done

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5361512.stm
A faction of the Thai military led by the army chief says it has overthrown Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Tanks surrounded the prime minister's offices and soldiers took them over, though it seems no shots were fired. After announcing they had suspended parliament and the constitution, coup leaders went to meet the king.

A spokesman for Mr Thaksin, who is at the UN in New York, insisted the coup "could not succeed", and that the government was still in control. The spokesman said it had not been decided when the prime minister would return home from the UN.

However, in a broadcast on all Thai television channels the leadership of the armed forces said it had taken control of Bangkok, suspended the constitution and parliament, declared nationwide martial law and ordered all troops to return to their bases. "We ask for the co-operation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience," the announcement said.

Retired Lieutenant-General Prapart Sakuntanak said the seizure would be temporary and power "returned to the people" soon...(more@link)

[Az_lefty]

47. that didn't take long...

:hide:

[uppityperson]

48. Listening to news a bit ago..

"king is releasing statement that coup may be attempted" break for musical moment between stories, "a military coup has just happened". It was one of those moments.

Didn't get enough advance warning to fire head of military or release statement on the air. Martial law, suspended constitution, want to have elections and redo constitution.

[uppityperson]

49. Thai PM 'overthrown in army coup'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5361512.stm

A faction of the Thai military led by the army chief says it has overthrown Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Tanks surrounded the prime minister's offices and soldiers took them over, though it seems no shots were fired. After announcing they had suspended parliament and the constitution, coup leaders went to meet the king.

A spokesman for Mr Thaksin, who is at the UN in New York, insisted the coup "could not succeed", and that the government was still in control. The spokesman said it had not been decided when the prime minister would return home from the UN.

However, in a broadcast on all Thai television channels the leadership of the armed forces said it had taken control of Bangkok, suspended the constitution and parliament, declared nationwide martial law and ordered all troops to return to their bases. "We ask for the co-operation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience," the announcement said.

Retired Lieutenant-General Prapart Sakuntanak said the seizure would be temporary and power "returned to the people" soon...(more@link)

[HeeBGBz]

50. Yikes, I've got some Thai friends

I hope they're okay. Gotta email them now.

[Cha]

51. Please let me know what's going

on, HeeB! My son is over there NOW and was going home to Kauai on the 21st of September with his Thai wife whom he married in Thailand on Jan 6, 2006 and she just got her visa(I think) on September 8.

I'm hoping they can fly to their home on Kauai with no problem..is that asking too much?

[Cha]

53. Truthout sent me this..

Looks comprehensive..I hope this is all for the better for Thailand. bushits better wake up and take notice!

"Thaksin's critics want to jettison his policies promoting privatization, free trade agreements and CEO-style administration.

Opposition to Thaksin gained momentum in January when his family announced it had sold its controlling stake in telecommunications company Shin Corp. to Singapore's state-owned Temasek Holdings for a tax-free $1.9 billion. Critics allege the sale involved insider trading and complain a key national asset is now in foreign hands.

Thaksin also has been accused of stifling the media and mishandling a Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand that flared under his rule.

In Thailand's mostly Muslim south, separatist insurgents have waged a bloody campaign that has left at least 1,700 dead, mostly civilians, since 2004. Citizens there have complained of rights abuses by soldiers and discrimination by the country's Buddhist majority."


More..
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/091906A.shtml

[kurth]

52. "We ask your pardon for the inconvenience"

No biggie. Just a routine change in management.

[Cha]

54. I guess that how a coup's done..

wait until the PM goes to New York to speak at the UN and then surround the government houses with tanks and a few hundred soldiers.

And apologize for the inconvenience. I'm hoping they're not inconvenincing my son and his wife too much!~

[kurth]

55. I believe the PM knew it was coming

The powers that be (including the king) let him know that his time was over, and they gave him the opportunity to leave the country.

[Cha]

56. Ah! I learn more and more about

the coup that is taking place in the country where my son is bringing back his Thai wife to live with him in that once wonderful country, the USA.

[upi402]

65. Can I have her former job?

LOL
:rofl:
Actually, it *is* much freer in Thailand than here. Braver too, apparently.

[Cha]

70. Oh yeah, it sounds like they got

a lot more of that "braver" thing goin' on!

[Blue_Tires]

57. i'm going to e-mail my friend over there

and find out what's going on

[Cha]

61. Please do and please

let us know, too. I have no way to contact my son who's over there right now and he was expecting to fly home to Kauai on September 21st, hopefully, with his new Thai wife.

[Blue_Tires]

85. her reply

"Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness. I'm fine and 100 % safe :) The coup took place quite fast, quite and peacefully. No bloodshed. To be honest, it may seem like our democracy steps backward, but I prefer it than moving forward with the corrupting and big liar like our ex-PM!!!

Hope all is well with you."

[Cha]

87. Great News, Blue_Tires!

I haven't heard anything yet from Tim but when I do I will probably have an interesting story to report. Thank you so much!

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Robbien]

59. Chronology of political events in Thailand

# February 6, 2005: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party wins a second landslide election victory, taking 377 of the 500 seats in parliament.

# September 9, 2005: State-run television takes a current affairs show hosted by Thaksin's former business associate, Sondhi Limthongkul, off the air, citing repetition of "unfair" criticism of various parties.

# January 23, 2006: Thaksin's relatives sell their controlling stake in Shin Corp, the telecoms empire he founded, to Singapore state investment firm Temasek. The tax-free $1.9 billion sale angers Bangkok's middle classes and adds momentum to Sondhi's campaign.

# February 24: Thaksin calls a snap election on April 2, three years early and two days before a big anti-government rally.

# February 27: Three main opposition parties announce an election boycott after Thaksin rejects their demand for a neutral body to reform the constitution.

# April 2: Election is held despite opposition boycott.

# April 4: After a strong protest vote, Thaksin meets revered King Bhumibhol Adulyadej, before announcing on national TV that he will step down as soon as the next parliament meets.

# April 5: Thaksin hands day-to-day power to Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya.

# April 26: The three main opposition parties say they will stand in a new election if April 2 poll is annulled.

# May 8: Constitutional Court rules that the election is unconstitutional and a new poll should be held.

# May 23: Thaksin takes back reins of power, saying it was time to get back work on economic and security issues.

# May 30: Government sets election re-run for Oct. 15. King approves the re-run in late July saying he wants a swift end to the crisis.

# July 20: Thai army chief unexpectedly re-assigns more than 100 middle-ranking officers thought to be supporters of Thaksin, adding to rumors about divided army and possible coup.

# September 19: Thaksin declares a state of emergency after tanks surround Government House.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/19/thailand.chronology.reut/

[elehhhhna]

60. Breaking: John Mark Carr confesses to plot.

riiiight.

[upi402]

62. Anyone know if second (snap) elections were a valid win for Toxin?

I know Toxin gave cash, Bhat, to many many people -but that is normal in Thailand. PM Toxin also gave computers etc. to rural folks and became a feudal lord of sorts, with popular support in the rural areas.

He may have won the second election, but does anyone know details of it? Was it invalid or a real win?

[Odin2005]

67. IMO the urban elites didn't like Taksin's helping the rural poor...

...so they are getting rid of him before he can win again. I had a feeling this would happen when the opposition starting pulling distruptive shinannigans that created a constitutional crisis, they wanted an excuse for a coup.

[upi402]

68. I doubt Toxin is a champion of the poor is Isaan

He's pretty corrupt and unscrupulous.

[Taoschick]

69. That's my take as well

The PM was trying to increase healthcare and education for the poor and the military and elites probably saw that as a threat to the status quo.

[BlueJackal]

73. Sounds similar to Chavez

"The PM was trying to increase healthcare and education for the poor and the military and elites probably saw that as a threat to the status quo."

Surreally sounds like Chavez and Venezuela, no?

[ButterflyBlood]

79. HAHAHAHAHA, not even close

This guy is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more like Bush than Chavez.

[BlueJackal]

72. I don't think foreigners have anything to fear from the Thai military

Unless you're an American who's illegally trying to meddle and interfere with Thai political affairs I don't think you have anything to worry about. Most foreigners will in due time be allowed to leave the country as they gradually make their way out of Bangkok.

BTW, I know nothing of Thai politics but is this guy they overthrew supposed to be a Bushbot?

[quaoar]

74. From Asia Times Online

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HI21Ae01.html

As of midnight Thailand time, there was no indication that army officers loyal to Thaksin intended to enforce the caretaker prime minister’s orders to remove Sonthi. A source close to Sonthi said that they were locked in late-night negotiations with military officials loyal to Thaksin, including from the Bangkok-based 4th Cavalry Division, to avoid bloodshed.

A military official, wearing a Western style suit and a royal insignia pin, announced on national television that the army had temporarily suspended the “irresponsible” civilian government and would soon return power to the people. The Thai military used similar justification to overthrow the democratically-elected government led by Chatichai Choonhavan in 1991. All Thai television stations were placed under military control and played continuous footage in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

A subsequent military announcement broadcast on all Thai television stations formally dismissed the government, revoked the 1997 constitution, and declared the provisional authority's loyalty to the monarch. The official statement also ordered all military personnel based in Bangkok to remain in their appointed positions. Meanwhile, caretaker government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said from New York that the coup attempt “cannot succeed”, apparently indicating that Thaksin plans to contest the military’s move

Sources close to Sonthi said that two palace loyalists were being considered to take over the provisional military authority. One candidate was Sumet Tantivejkul, Secretary General of the Chai Pattana Foundation, which is under royal patronage. The other was privy councilor Palakorn Suwannarat, who notably was removed by Thaksin from his post in the interior ministry in 2001.

[Greeby]

75. The Independent: One Night In Bangkok

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article1621779.ece

Army claims coup in Thailand after striking while PM at United Nations
By Karen Emmons in Bangkok, David Usborne and Daniel Howden
Published: 20 September 2006

The Thai Prime Minster, Thaksin Shinawatra, appeared to have been deposed last night after a bloodless military coup executed just hours before he was due to address the United Nations in New York.

Confusion reigned across Bangkok as tanks made their way through the heavy late-night drizzle to surround Government House, without firing a shot. Television channels, which had interrupted normal programming to play patriotic songs for much of the evening, broadcast a statement signed by the army's commander in chief, General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, saying martial law had been declared.

"The armed forces commander and the national police commander have successfully taken over Bangkok and the surrounding area in order to maintain peace and order. There has been no struggle," the statement said.

Several hundred soldiers were deployed at key points in the capital, Bangkok, including government installations and major intersections, witnesses said. -snip-

[upi402]

76. The Polite Coup

Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 September 2006

...
In order to maintain peace and order in the country, members of the public are requested to render cooperation.

The Administrative Reform Committee under the Constitutional Monarchy apologizes for inconvenience.

[Greeby]

77. The BFEE must be shaking their heads with disdain

"A coup d'etat with out blood running in the streets? What is the world comnig to?" :eyes:

[madrchsod]

78. i just could not resist.......

"One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can`t be to careful with your company
I can feel the devil walking next to me"

"Chess"

npr report today summed it up as the way they change things in Thailand

[Jean Louise Finch]

80. I'm in Bangkok now

Hi everyone,

I live in Bangkok and so maybe can offer a little calming information for people with friends or family here. I just got back from the grocery store and things seem relatively normal -- the vendors are out on the sidewalks and everyone is puttering about as per usual. I'm close to the skytrain, which is running normally. Lots of shops are shut, and my office is closed today, but it sounds like overall things will be back to normal before long. It's weird, but not scary at all. Scary is the stuff happening in the South, but tourists and ex-pats alike have been well warned away from there for some time now.

From my Thai friends, it sounds like the risk of a counter-coup is pretty much non-existant.

They have blocked BBC and CNN on the tv, and my Thai is terrible, so all my news is coming from the web. another good resource is 2bangkok.com, which has english translations of Thai news. I think the reason they've blocked international media is because they don't want Thaksin's speeches getting out to his supporters in the rural areas.

Anyway, don't worry about friends or family in Bangkok, I'm sure they're fine and I don't think travel is disrupted. My partner is supposed to go away this weekend and a Thai friend is going to India tonight. So really, I don't think there's too much cause for concern. I will check back in if things go wobbly.

Off to enjoy my "holiday!"

Jean Louise

[upi402]

82. Smart to not let Toxin use HIS media for propaganda ala the bushistas

Here's a reassuring articel that says the military wont hold power, but only wrest power from a bush clone.
{grain of salt} Pakistan's military coup leader said the same thim several years ago;

<start>
Thailand's military tightens grip

BANGKOK: -- Thai military leaders have begun consolidating their hold on power after staging a coup while the prime minister was at the UN General Assembly.

Martial law has been declared, and the coup leaders have announced that regional commanders will take charge of areas outside the capital, Bangkok.

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin said in a TV address that the coup was necessary to unite the country.

The military had no intention of holding onto power, he added.

Flanked by the heads of the three services and the police, and backed by giant portraits of the king and queen, Gen Sonthi said in the brief address that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's policies had created serious divisions.

"We have seized power. The constitution, the senate, the house of representatives, the cabinet and the constitutional court have all been terminated," he said.

"We agreed that the caretaker prime minister has caused an unprecedented rift in society, widespread corruption, nepotism, and interfered in independent agencies, crippling them so they cannot function.

"If the caretaker government is allowed to govern it will hurt the country.

"They have also repeatedly insulted the king. Thus the council needed to seize power to control the situation, to restore normality and to create unity as soon as possible."

The coup leaders have ordered provincial governors and heads of government agencies to report to them in the coming hours.

The country's stock market, banks and schools will be closed on Wednesday, which has been declared a public holiday.

BBC World, CNN and other international TV news channels have been taken off the air, while Thai stations have broadcast footage of the royal family and patriotic songs.

Mr Thaksin cancelled a speech he was due to give at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday evening.

It is unclear whether he intends to return home.

Declaration of loyalty

Tuesday saw soldiers seize government offices in Bangkok and take up strategic positions around the city.

The rebels have visited King Bhumibol Adulyadej and declared loyalty to him.

Many of the soldiers on the streets are wearing yellow armbands to signify loyalty to the king.

King Bhumibol, who is highly revered by Thais, has made no comment about whether he backs the takeover attempt.

But there has been some negative reaction from abroad.

The EU's Finnish presidency expressed "grave concern" at events, and the US called on Thais "to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner".

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he deeply regretted the fact that the coup had taken place, while New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark urged politicians and military to resolve their differences democratically.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the organisation supported changes of government through democratic means rather than by the barrel of a gun.

'Unease'

Pressure had been growing on the prime minister to resign, including from groups close to King Bhumibol, following a political impasse in which April's general election was declared invalid.

But the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok reports that while many people wanted Mr Thaksin out of office, there will be unease about the way this has happened, and people will be looking to see whether the king has supported the coup.

It is the first coup attempt in 15 years in a country where they used to be commonplace. There were 17 of them between 1932 and 1991.

Opposition Senator Mechai Viravaidya welcomed Mr Thaksin's departure, despite doubts about the methods used.

"I'm delighted he's gone," he said. "It would have been great if he had resigned voluntarily, but apparently he was too stubborn. But at least it's better than an assassination."

But government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee, speaking from New York, said he was confident the coup would fail .

--BBC 2006-09-20 10:20

<end>

[Matilda]

81. Good summary from Human Rights Watch

They call on the military to respect human rights, of course, but there is a pretty good background
briefing as well:

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/09/19/thaila14221.htm

[upi402]

83. Thais tried using the rule of law, but Toxin did a Bushler

and corrupted the process in every way. He is crazy like a fox, not the usual Thai politico.
He is corrupt and needed to be ousted this way, unfortunately. I mean, look at the grip on power that certain intersts have in other parts of the world.

[galileo3000]

86. To all of our brothers and sisters in Thailand

Stay safe. We wish you peace through the turmoil.