Latest coup news

[Guest PapaDavid]

The following is today's developments from BKK Post Breaking News:

 

Developments in the military coup d'etat:

 

(all times Thailand ):

 

bangkokpost.com

 

 

20:17

His Majesty the King officially endorses appointment of coup council of administrative reform with Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin as head.

 

 

18:00

Troops arrest ex-Thai Rak Thai MP Thawee Kraikhupt for protesting coup at Democracy Monument. Hunger striker Chalard Worachat for gathering more than 5 people.

 

 

15:35

Administrative Reform Council leader General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin: Suvarnabhumi Airport will be opened as scheduled, no plan to seize Thaksin's assets, no plan to seize Shin shares back from Temasek.

 

15:29

Administrative Reform Council leader General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin: Council will be in power for 2 weeks during which a constitution will be drafted and a PM appointed. An election will then be held within one year.

 

15:18

Ousted PM Thaksin arrives in London from New York for family reunion. No further word on his future.

 

14:07

Troops close northern Thai borders with both Laos and Burma, and forbid all overland travel from those countries. International airports open as normal.

 

14:07

Indonesia issues official travel warning advising citizens to delay or cancel all travel to Thailand.

 

12:14

Coup authorities demand "cooperation" of mass media - IT ministry authorised to check, censor information that affects the council work.

 

11:26

Thai ambassador in Washington says deposed PM Thaksin preparing to leave United States. It appears he will go to London, where he has a home.

 

11:19

Coup authorities deny appointment of Surayudh Chulanont as PM - say that the country will not have a PM for now - Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has premier's power

 

11:08

US government joins many countries in urging citizens to reconsider any travel plans to Thailand. Most countries urge citizens in Thailand to stay inside.

 

10:27

Cable TV partly resumes on UBC but main foreign news channels such as CNN, BBC, CNBC, NHK and Bloomberg remain blacked out. Thai TV programmes resumes, no news.

 

 

[Gaybutton]

11:08

US government joins many countries in urging citizens to reconsider any travel plans to Thailand. Most countries urge citizens in Thailand to stay inside.

 

10:27

Cable TV partly resumes on UBC but main foreign news channels such as CNN, BBC, CNBC, NHK and Bloomberg remain blacked out. Thai TV programmes resumes, no news.

 

All cable TV channels are back online now and operating normally, including those in the above list.

 

I, and I believe just about every "farang" in Pattaya, would disagree with embassy warnings to reconsider travel plans. As I said in earlier posts, everything is fine. Everything is perfectly normal, at least in Pattaya, and without the news you wouldn't have any idea that a coup or anything else unusual had even taken place. Even the bars are open and running normally.

 

I see no reason to avoid coming to Thailand or changing travel plans. As for me, the only traveling I plan on doing is from home to the beach.

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

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King Endorses CDR

 

Statement Seen as Evidence Situation is Under Control

 

POST REPORTERS

 

The Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) announced His Majesty the King's endorsement of Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin as its leader yesterday in what was seen as confirmation that the council had the situation under control. The council made the announcement late yesterday afternoon, several hours after Gen Sonthi appeared on television with the rest of the council members to affirm that the utmost effort would be made to return sovereignty to the people as soon as possible.

 

During the afternoon press conference, Gen Sonthi promised to usher in an interim civilian government within the next two weeks.

 

In that time, the council would draft an administrative charter to accommodate the formation of the new interim government, which will spend up to a year penning a new constitution for political reform.

 

Once the new constitution is in place, the general election will be called, he added.

 

An informed source said it was likely that the constitution would be drafted by a compact group of people, rather than by a large assembly, as happened after the student-led popular rising in October 1973.

 

And changes likely would be selective, possibly focusing on provisions like the time-lock on candidates to be political party members before they contest a general election, along with their academic qualifications.

 

Both the small size of the drafting committee and selective amendments would be efforts to save time, the source added.

 

Gen Sonthi said the council was now approaching experts in charter drafting, asking them to help put in place a temporary administrative charter.

 

When the new interim government is appointed, the interim prime minister will take charge of political reform. The reform process is expected to be completed in one year, so that the general election could be called in October next year.

 

''Now, we're searching for a qualified person to be the new prime minister. We want a neutral one who advocates democracy with the constitutional monarchy,'' said Gen Sonthi.

 

Meanwhile, former charter drafter Khanin Boonsuwan suggested constitutional reform could take only six months if the dissolved 1997 constitution is used as a draft for the new one.

 

Mr Khanin also called for public input in the drafting process and suggested that the draft charter be put forward for a referendum before it goes into effect.

 

Prinya Tevanaruemitrkul, a law lecturer at Thammasat University, echoed Mr Khanin's suggestion that some clauses in the 1997 charter be invoked to allow for quick elections.

 

He stressed that the new parliament, installed to draft and vet a new constitution, must not serve more than one year.

 

''It is the only way for damage control,'' said Mr Prinya.

 

The key reason cited by the CDR to justify its coup d'etat is that the Thaksin Shinawatra administration allegedly ran the country with corrupt intent and their management favoured cronies.

 

For this reason, Gen Sonthi was asked at the press conference what actions the council plans to take against Mr Thaksin and other ousted cabinet members for their alleged corrupt practices. Gen Sonthi said all actions will be in accordance with the law, and wrongdoers must be responsible for the crimes they had committed.

 

For the time being, the council had no plan to set up any special committee to scrutinise alleged corruption practices by Mr Thaksin and his cabinet members. The council did not plan to seize Mr Thaksin's assets or shares in Shin Corp either.

 

Kantathi Suphamongkhon, the former foreign minister, said he was grateful that no bloodshed had occurred, adding that he did not believe that supporters of the past government would seek a confrontation.

 

''From what I understand, I think it is all finished. It has been very peaceful, and that's good,'' Dr Kantathi said from Paris, where he is on a trip with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

 

''I don't think there will be a fight. I am thankful that the events did not turn violent. That is the most important factor, that no bloodshed occurred.''

 

Dr Kantathi said he had not spoken with Mr Thaksin since the coup, but that he had been in contact with the Foreign Ministry.

 

As for the report that the council has detained former deputy prime minister Chidchai Wannasathit, Gen Sonthi admitted Pol Gen Chidchai was in the council's custody.

 

''We didn't arrest him. We just invited him to be with us, and he's well taken care of in Bangkok,'' he said.

 

Gen Sonthi also insisted nobody else was supporting his group's coup d'etat, adding that he had spent two days pondering before making the final decision to stage the coup.

 

Bank of Thailand governor M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula is strongly tipped to lead the civilian government, but he vehemently denied being approached for the job. A source close to the CDR said that M.R. Pridiyathorn is deemed an appropriate choice because he has a clean record and sound credentials.

 

The priority is to restore investor confidence and the central bank governor is capable of putting together a dream team of economic ministers.

 

Another possible candidate for the prime minister's post is former army chief and supreme commander Gen Surayud Chulanont, a privy councillor.

 

M.R. Pridiyathorn once voiced support for Gen Surayud whom he believed was capable of resolving violence in the troubled South.

 

The CDR is unlikely to opt for Gen Surayud because the appointment of an army man would look bad in the eyes of the international community.

 

Former senator for Bangkok Sophon Suphapong yesterday noted that the prime minister should be recognised by the United Nations and understand the southern situation.

 

He did not mention the name, but the qualifications point to former prime minister Anand Panyarachun who was appointed to the premier's post after the 1991 coup and 1992 Black May bloodshed.

 

Mr Anand is known for his management skills, vision of political reforms and strong advocacy for good governance.

 

The source, however, said Mr Anand is not keen on taking up the post and deems M.R. Pridiyathorn appropriate to lead the government.

 

There is also speculation that president of the Supreme Administrative Court Ackratorn Chularat and Privy Councillor Palakorn Suwanrat are among the candidates. Responding to the speculation, Mr Ackratorn insisted it was ''1,000% not true''.

 

It is reported the CDR will today review the annual military reshuffle, said to have been politically influenced and caused deep divisiveness within the military.

 

[Gaybutton]

Here's the latest, as of 10:00 PM, Thailand time, Thursday, September 21:

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4 Aides of Ousted Thai Leader Detained

 

By SUTIN WANNABOVORN, Associated Press Writer

 

 

Thailand's new military rulers said Thursday that four top members of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's administration had been detained. The regime also assumed the duties of parliament, which was dissolved when the government was ousted in a coup earlier this week, and banned meetings by all political parties.

 

The junta's actions, which it said was to maintain peace and order, have come even though no open opposition has emerged to its Tuesday night ouster of Thaksin.

 

Other moves include barring the establishment of new parties and placing limitations on public meetings and restrictions on the media.

 

Thailand has had no working legislature and only a caretaker government since February, when Thaksin dissolved parliament to hold new elections to try to reaffirm his mandate.

 

With Thaksin secluded in London, the provisional government headed by Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin also moved to place the vast assets of the telecommunications tycoon-turned-politician under scrutiny, amid mounting calls for his prosecution for alleged corruption.

 

Thaksin released a statement saying he would take a "deserved rest," and urged the military to quickly arrange for new national elections. He urged "all parties to find ways and means to reconcile and work toward national reconciliation for the sake of our king and country." He did not say if he planned to return from London, where he has a home.

 

Lt. Gen. Palanggoon Klaharn, a spokesman for the ruling military council, said the four trusted Thaksin associates were under the "care" of the military.

 

Newin Chidchob, the minister attached to the prime minister's office, and Yongyut Tiyapairat, the minister of Natural Resources and Environment, surrendered to the military authorities Thursday, Palanggoon said. Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Cabinet Secretary General Prommin Lertsuridej, who was Thaksin's top aide, had been detained earlier.

 

"During the transition period, every country does this in order for the situation to return to normalcy quickly," Palanggoon said.

 

Thaksin's decline began about a year ago when a popular movement called for his resignation for alleged corruption and abuse of power. Critics allege he took advantage of his position as head of government to enrich himself and his associates.

 

Less than 48 hours after the army sent tanks into the streets of Bangkok to terminate Thaksin's tenure, the capital was back to business as usual Thursday, with stores reopening and roads jammed with traffic.

 

And despite condemnation of the coup by Western and some Asian governments, hope emerged in Thailand that the new government might have a chance to resolve a bloody Muslim insurgency that has led to the deaths of more than 1,700 people.

 

An exiled rebel leader welcomed the military coup, saying it could help resolve the country's bloody Muslim insurgency.

 

Lukman B. Lima, head of one of several groups fighting the central government for a separate Muslim state, said Sondhi, a Muslim, was the "only one who knows the real problems" of the Muslim-dominated provinces of southern Thailand.

 

"We hope that the political (situation) can be resolved under Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin as the new leader," Lukman wrote in an e-mailed response to questions from The Associated Press. Lukman, vice president of the Pattani United Liberation Organization, or PULO, is in exile in Sweden.

 

Thaksin arrived Wednesday in London from New York, where he had been attending the U.N. General Assembly.

 

"I left Thailand as the prime minister and now I am a jobless man," the official Thai News Agency quoted Thaksin as telling reporters on the flight from New York. "Never mind, I can still keep in touch with my family. Everyone is fine." However, the agency said Thaksin was "grim-faced" as he spoke.

 

In his statement, Thaksin said he was planning to work on research and development and possible charitable work for the country.

 

"The event in Thailand during the past two days should not detract from my main aim of national reconciliation," Thaksin said.

 

"I haven't talked to him directly but judging from what I learned from seniors of our party, I don't think he will return in the near future," said Sansasee Nakphong, former spokeswoman for Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party.

 

Sondhi has said he would serve as de facto prime minister for two weeks and then the junta, which calls itself the Council of Administrative Reform, will choose a civilian to replace him. A constitution is to be drawn up and elections held in one year's time.

 

The military leader received the imprimatur Wednesday of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which should effectively quash any efforts at resistance by Thaksin's partisans.

 

The junta empowered Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka to investigative government corruption, which could lead to the confiscation of Thaksin's assets. Jaruvan, dubbed "The Iron Lady" was one of the few government officials who tried to expose corruption during Thaksin's regime and would have lost her job if it had not been for backing from the palace.

 

The Office of the Auditor-General said it would continue its investigation into 14 cases of alleged corruption that occurred during Thaksin's tenure.

 

Washington believes Thailand's first coup in 15 years is "a step backward for democracy," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.

 

The European Union demanded "that the military forces stand back and give way to the democratically elected political government." Other Western governments have issued similar statements.

 

Thaksin's ouster followed a series of missteps that prompted many to accuse the prime minister of challenging the king's authority

[Guest wowpow]

 

 

Their Majesties the King and Queen grant an audience to leaders of the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy, which is led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda on Wednesday..//Royal Household

 

The Nation