at about 10:30 PM all thai tv channels went off the air--or at least they all showed the same videos praising the king _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
I got this courtesy of RSS, otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue either.
Thai military stages coup while Prime Minister is in New York
By Adam Fresco, Ginny McGrath and agencies
Analysis: Richard Beeston
Thai troubles: timeline
The Thai military launched a coup against its Prime Minister today, circling his offices with tanks, seizing control of television stations and declaring a provisional authority loyal to the King.
Thai television channel 5, which is the army channel, and radio stations, 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 co-operation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience."
Tanks with loud speakers and sirens have been rolling around central Bangkok telling people to get off the streets. Initial reports said that army commanders loyal to the Prime Minister are holding crisis talks outside of Bangkok.
Thaksin Shinawatra, the Thai Prime Minister, who is in New York for a meeting of world leaders, has declared a state of emergency.
But it seems clear that the army commander in chief, Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, has taken power. Military and police involved in the apparent coup claim to have taken control of all six of the kingdom’s public television stations, as well as radio stations, a senior military official said.
An announcement saying that forces loyal to the king had taken control of Bangkok "to maintain law and order" was being repeatedly flashed on all television stations in between images of Thailand’s revered monarch King.
At least ten armoured vehicles were seen in central Bangkok and around 50 soldiers were reported to have arrived at Government House in the Thai capital, ordering police officers to hand over their weapons.
"I declare Bangkok under a severe state of emergency," Mr Thaksin he told the country's Channel 9 TV station. He also said he was transferring the head of the army to work in the Prime Minister’s office, effectively suspending him from his military duties.
The speaking schedule for the opening of the UN's General Assembly has been altered to give Mr Thaksin a chance to speak to the body this evening.
"The Thai Prime Minister is quite calm," said one of his officials in New York ."He watched President George W. Bush speaking at the UN General Assembly from his hotel room.
"He feels that he is the elected Prime Minister and he would like to safeguard the constitution of the country," said the official.
Mr Thaksin survived an alleged assassination attempt on August 24, when a sophisticated bomb was found in car parked near his house. Five military officers were arrested and charged for the plot but last week one of Mr Thaksin's aides said the conspiracy had not been entirely broken up.
His Government has been under severe pressure since a series of large protests and a flawed election that was boycotted by the main opposition parties earlier this year.
Mr Thaksin, a telecoms billionaire, was accused by opposition groups of corruption after his family sold a £1.14 billion stake in his Shin Corp business empire in January without paying taxes.
The allegation, coupled with ongoing questions over Mr Thaksin's handling of the Islamist rebellion in southern Thailand and his controversial anti-drugs campaign which has killed more than 2,500 people, led to almost daily protests in Bangkok.
Seeking to head off the demonstrations, Mr Thaksin, a former policeman, called snap elections three years early to exhibit his broad support in the rural north and centre of the country, where he is popular for job creation policies and credited with kick-starting the Thai economy. But opposition groups refused to take part, effectively ruining the contest.
Since then Mr Thaksin has refused to resign, hinting that he will try to lead his Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party to a third victory in general elections scheduled for November.
Although it is 15 years since the last military coup in Thailand, Bangkok has been uneasy with rumours of an army takeover this summer. Last week motorists called radio stations after tanks were spotted rolling down the streets of the capital.
That proved to be a false alarm, with the army saying it was merely soldiers returning from exercises.
Holidaymakers will continue to be flown into Thailand despite the decision by the country’s prime minister to declare a state of emergency.
British Airways has confirmed that its daily Heathrow-Bangkok flight will go ahead at 10pm this evening, as will Qantas’ 10.15pm and Eva Airs’ 9.30pm flight.
Thai Airways has said that its flight this evening at 9.30 from Heathrow is also going ahead but if anyone wanted to cancel they could change the ticket for the next available flight.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not changed its level of travel advice for Thailand, which means tour operators will go ahead with planned holidays.
Derek Moore, chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, told Times Online: "If the Foreign Office hasn’t changed its advice then we will continue to operate. If the problem escalates into a political crisis we may have to think about changing itineraries, such as rerouting people directly out of Bangkok without a stopover in the city.
"However, in the absence of violence we are not too concerned about what is essentially an internal political situation."
Britons who are intending to travel to Thailand in the coming days have been advised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to monitor the situation before travelling, and once on the ground to avoid large crowds and demonstrations.
The FCO has also confirmed that it will keep its Thailand travel advice webpage updated
Around 350,000 Britons visit Thailand each year, and while the FCO warns of a high threat of terrorism throughout Thailand, most visits are trouble-free. _________________
Many politicians and those with links to caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were spread far and wide last 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 last 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 pro-Thaksin 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 Armycommander 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.
Quote:
[b]Thai military declares Wednesday holiday to announce "new policy"[/b]
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.
Source: The Nation of Sept. 20, 2006
Quote:
COUP D'ETAT
Armed 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.
vewry quiet maybe only half the people showed up and the other half are waiting for announcement declaring a company holiday _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
Any further word on how things are progressing?
I heard that an interim PM will be decided upon in the next 2 weeks, but that the election will be a year away?!?
Coming from the perspective of a person planning to move to Thailand in the next month, this is definitely unsettling (but understandable)
Any further word on how things are progressing?
I heard that an interim PM will be decided upon in the next 2 weeks, but that the election will be a year away?!?
Coming from the perspective of a person planning to move to Thailand in the next month, this is definitely unsettling (but understandable)
I went to work today--everything is back to normal--people are relieved that finally there will be some needed changes.
Thailand is one of the safest places you could be--even i the middle of a coup d'etat. You will love it _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
Has there been any effects on the naughty nightlife.
Thats just what I was about to ask too!! .
Doubt it's had any impact on the nightlife though. Soldiers probably love the nighlife themselves. _________________ Dongguan Expat - Your online Community!
The Nation monitors the events that led to the coup as well as events after it as following:
September 19
8.00 am Thaksin Shinawatra calls an urgent teleconference with all armed forces' commanders at Government House, but none attends.
Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkarin, the army chief, later says the meeting is hastily called. Rumor then spread around the capital and the stock market that a coup de tat is under way.
12.00 am After finishing the webcamera teleconference with Thaksin, who is New York, several Cabinet members check with reporters if there would really be a coup.
6.30 pm The Army's special forces from Lopburi move into Bangkok. Gen Prem Tinnasulalonda, president of Privy Council, has an audience with HM the King, reportedly on a meritmaking ceremony for ML Bau Kittiyakala.
6.55 pm Thai News Agency reports that Thaksin will return to Bangkok on Thursday, instead of Friday.
8.00 pm 191 police receive M16 rifles to prepare for an antiriot assignment.
9.00 pm The Army'[s special forces from Lopburi arrive at the Army's Bangkok headquarters.
Web surfers post messages on Pantip.com asking if there is a coup de tat.
9.10 pm The armyowned TV Channel 5's mobile TV broadcast unit arrives at the Army's Bangkok headquarters.
9.30 pm TV channel 5 cancels regular programming and puts on air royallyauthored songs.
Reporters at Government House say situation is normal, but rumour was rife that deputy premier Pol Gen Chidchai Vanasatit and defence minister Gen Thammarak Isarangkun have been under custody.
Panthongthae, Thaksin's son, reportedly has left Thailand for the UK.
10.00 pm Army tanks take position at Bangkok Makkawan Rangsan Bridge and Rajdamnern Avenue.
10.10 pm CNN reports Bangkok situation
10.20pm Thaksin declares a state of emergency via the phone from New York. He also issues two orders, transferring en Sondhi from the post of army chief to the PM's Office, and naming Gen Rungroj Mahasaranond as the officer in charge of the crisis.
11pm "The Administrative Reform Council" (ARC) issues a first statement on TV network, saying the armed forces and national police have peacefully seized control of Bangkok and surrounding areas. Soldier seize the Shinawatra Building, iTV television stationand Thaksin's residence.
11.15pm Soldiers put steel barricades at Sri Ayudha and Rajdamnoen Roads
11.50pm ARC issues the second statement explaining the reasons for the coup d'etat, citing national disunity and rampant corruption. ARC says it plans to return power quickly to the people
12.39am ARC issues third statement, nullifying the constitution, the caretaker Cabinet and the Constitutional Court.
September 20
1: 24 am The ARC issues its fourth announcement saying that while there is no prime minister, the power of the PM will belong to the ARC chief. The statement says where there are no ministers, the permanent secretaries will take charge of their respective ministries.
8:00 am ARC spokesman announces Gen Sonthi will make announcement on TVs at 9 am. The spokesman also announces that TV stations can resume their normal programmes but most continue to relay signals from Channel 5 except iTV, which briefly airs its morning news programme.
8:50 am: Permanent officials and rectors of universities start arriving at the Army headquarters to report themselves to the ARC. Khunying Jaruvan Mainthaka, the auditor-general, flashes a thumb-up to reporters.
9:16 am Sonthi holds a press conference. The first part of his statement is similar to the first statement of the ARC. He says the ARC has to seize power to solve the country's problems caused by the Thaksin admnistration.
Sonthi appears on TV along with the police chief and commanders of other armed forces in the four-minute announcement.
After Sonthi finishes reading the statement, a spokeswoman announces that the TV pool is disbanded and TV stations resume normal programmes.
9:50 am A source in New York tells a radio programme that Thaksin is considering whether to go to England or not.
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 ARC announces its fifth statement 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 ARC.
10:42 am A spokesman reads the sixth announcement of the ARC that the ARC realises the problem of farmers and is considering how to help them so they should not demonstrate now.
10:45 am An ARC spokeswoman reads the seventh announcement of the ARC that the political gathering of more than five people is banned.
The ARC spokeswoman also read the ninth announcement of the ARC that the ARC will take drastic action against any trader who hoards goods.
The spokesman announces the ninth statement of the ARC that the ARC will adhere to treaties with the United Nations and other international organisations as well as will promote and maintain good relations with other countries.
10:46 am An ARC reads the tenth announcement of the ARC that the ARC seeks cooperation from the mass media to present accurate news and information to the public.
10:52 am An ARC spokesman reads an order of ARC 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 ARC.
10:58 am The ARC issues its 11th announcement to appoint members of the council as following:
1 Supreme Commander Gen Ruangroj Mahasaranon becomes chief adviser of the ARC.
2 Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin becomes president of the ARC.
3 Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm Sathiraphan Keyanon becomes first vice president of ARC.
4 Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Chalit Pookpasuk becomes second vice president of ARC.
5 Police Commissioner-General Pol Lt Gen Kowit Wattana becomes third vice president of the ARC
6 National Security Council secretary-general Gen Winai Phatthiyakul becomes secretary-general of the ARC.
1:00 pm Chalard Worachat and several other people are arrested for gathering in a group of more than five people.
1:15 pm Former Thai Rak Thai MP Surapol Kiartchaiyakorn is seen taking away from the Chiang Mai Airport by soldiers on a military vehicle.
1:30 pm Deputy Police Commissioner-General Pol Col Priewphan Damapong, a brother-in-law of Thaksin Shinawatra, reports himself to the national police chief in line with the coup maker's order.
2:00 pm ARC leader Gen Sonthi told foreign diplomats an hour ago that a civilian government would be appointed to run the country within two weeks.
2:30 pm Thawee Kraikupti, former Thai Rak Thai MP, protest against the coup at the Democracy Monument. He is later taken away by soldiers.
3:00 pm A military source say 15 trucks of fully-armed soldiers from the Pawai Camp head to Bangkok.
Sonthi answers reporters' questions at a press conference. He tells reporters that an interim constitution will be drafted in two weeks. After which a Cabinet will be formed to spend another year to draft a new constitution.
Sonthi says the new Election Commission has been dissolved along with the abolition of the Constitution.
4:55 pm ARC issues an announcement that government agencies, state enterprises, schools, banks and the Stock Exchange of Thailand would be open on Thursday.
6:00 pm About 100 soldiers from the 26th Cavalry Battalion in Phechabun arrive at Pathum Thani in ten trucks and ten military trucks. They travel on Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road and reach a road check point in Pathum Thani manned by seven tanks. after briefly talking to offices at the checkpoints, the 10 tanks and 10 trucks move on to Bangkok.
7:00 pm A spokesman announces that His Majesty the King has issued a royal command to appoint Sonthi as the ARC president.
7: 04 pm The ARC issues its seventh order to divide itself into four divisions as part of responsibility sharing. The four divisions are the ARC, the secretariat, the advisory division and special affairs division.
7:10 pm The ARC issues an order to maintain the status of Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka as the auditor-general.
The order removes the State Audit Commission but maintains Jaruvan's status as well as maintaining the provision of the SAC Act.
7:29 pm A spokesman of the ARC announces that the ARC has not imposed curfew and the people can live their life as usal.
9:45 pm The ARC announces an order for former Natural Resource and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat and former PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchop to report themselves at the army head office at noon on Thursday.
10 pm The ARC issues its 13th statement to maintain the status of the new Election Commission. The ARC statement says the EC ACT would continue to be effective so that the new EC could organize election of local administrations and councils.
September 21
9:11 am AFP reports from Singapore that the Thai baht opens stronger in Asian trade, recovering much of the ground lost Wednesday. The baht was is at 37.5150 to the dollar, up sharply from 37.68 on Wednesday.
10:35 am Soldiers arrive at the house of former natural resources and environment minister Yongyuth Tiyapairaj in Chiang Rai's Mae Chan district to try to locate him. But the house is closed and he is not found there.
11:00 am The People's Alliance for Democracy announces it ceases to exist after its goal to see the Thaksin regime toppled has been accomplished.
11:45 am Former PM's Office Minister Newin Chichob reports himself to the Administrative Reform Council. He arrives at the Army headquarters in a car and lowers his car's window to greet reporters but he is greeted back with boos by people there.
People shouts "Dictator" and "Corruptor".
1:00 pm former natural resources and environment minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat to reports himself to ARC.
1:40 pm Newn's car speeds out of the Army head office but it is not known whether Newin is inside the car or not.
2:00 pm Newin confirms with a Nation reporter on mobile phone that he has been detained by the ARC.
2:25 pm Ousted deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak returns from France. He tells reporters that he has not yet decided about his political future.
3:40pm Former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam arrives at the head office of the coup makers, which now call itself official in English as the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM).
3:45 pm Cabinet secretary-general Borwornsak Uwanno comes to the CDRM head office at the Army headquarters.
4:00 pm Ousted deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai returns from the United States. He thanks CDRM for still supporting him for the post of UN secretary-general.
4:20 pm The CDRM issues its 14th announcement to maintain status of the Parliament ombudsmen by reviving the Parliament Ombudsmen Act.
The CDRM also issues its 15th announcement to maintain the status of the Political Parties Act. The announcement adds that new political parties could be registered until further announcement by the council.
The announcement states that current political parties will not be dissolved but they cannot hold any political activity until further announcement by the CDRM.
7:50 pm CDRM issues its 16th announcement to give itself parliament role. It says it will function as parliament while there are no House of Representatives and Senate.
9:45 pm CDRM issues its 11th order to transfer four senior officers to inactive posts at PM's Ministry Office.
They are Pol General Jumphol Manmai, chief of National Intelligence Agency, Pol Maj General Peeraphan Premputi, permanent secretary of the PM's Office, Pol General Phreophan Damapongse, a deputy national police chief and a brother-in-law of Thaksin, and Pol Lt General Chalor Choowong, an asssitant national police chief.
10:00pm CDRM issues its 12th order to appoint Lt Gen Waipoj Srinual, commander of the Internal Security Operations Command, as director of the National Intelligence Agency.
10:33 pm AFP reports that The United States is reviewing its aid to Thailand due to the coup.
September 22
9:30 am Sonthi enters a ceremony to receive a royal command to be officially endorsed as the president of the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy. The ceremony is broadcast on TV pool at noon.
1:10pm CDRM issues its order No 17 to delegate power over police affairs from the prime minister to the police commissioner-general.
1:30 pm CDRM issues order No 18 to amend the National Police Act to rid of politicians of the police professional regulating body.
The order appoints the police commissioner-general as chairman of the Police Civil Services Commission, instead of the prime minister.
2:30 pm Thaksin's brother, Phayup Shinawatra, is taken away from the Chiang Mai International Airport once he arrives from Bangkok. He is believed to be taken to the Kawila Army Camp in Chiang Mai.
3:50 pm CDRM appoints a new National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) by issuing its announcement No 19 which also maintain status of the NCCC Act and the Criminal Procedural Code for the Criminal Tribunal for Police Office Holders.
Sonthi outsmarted Thaksin at the eleventh hour
by: Thanong Khanthong - The Nation
Had Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin not moved as fast as he did to stage a coup on Tuesday, Thaksin Shinawatra would have launched his own coup a day later. Don't be fooled by Thaksin's claim that he stands for democracy.
As the political crisis developed to the point of no return concerning whether Thaksin should stay or be booted out, General Sonthi had no choice but to swallow his words about the days of military coups being over. He had been very reluctant to resort to a coup, as he was known not to have any political ambitions. Moreover, he was not known to be an enemy of Thaksin. Although General Sonthi has a good relationship with both Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda and Privy Council member General Surayuth Chulanont, he came to power partly due to a political compromise struck with Thaksin.
However, an intelligence report reached General Sonthi's camp stating that there would be bloodshed on Wednesday. The People's Alliance for Democracy had planned to hold a political rally that day at the Royal Plaza in order to force Thaksin out of politics. Had that rally taken place, there would have been clashes between the People's Alliance for Democracy and Thaksin's supporters and blood would have been spilt on Rajdamnoen Avenue. If only Thaksin had promised that he would take a break from politics and allow a period of political reforms to take place, the PAD and other branches of the anti-Thaksin movement would have declared victory. All political confrontations would have subsided. Thaksin could have run for office once the Constitution was amended, and he would have been returned to the premier's post, probably in the latter part of next year.
However, Thaksin never considered taking a break from power. Again, don't be fooled by his "taking a break" story - the idea never crossed his mind.
The General Sonthi camp learned that during the PAD rally, Yongyuth Tiyapairat and Newin Chidchob were planning to rally their supporters to create an ugly scene at the Royal Plaza. During the ensuing commotion, there would be human casualties. Thaksin would then have stepped in and declared a state of emergency, placing the country under martial law.
Now you can understand why he had time to prepare his state of emergency statement and read it at 9.20pm on Channel 9 from his New York hotel room. You can also understand why Yongyuth and Newin are now at the top of this country's most-wanted list and have surrendered themselves to the CDRM for interrogation.
Once the situation was under his complete control, Thaksin had planned to fly back yesterday in order to declare victory over anti-democratic elements in society. He had a military reshuffle list in hand that would have further consolidated his control over the military. With that accomplished, everything would have been easy. Virtually all institutions in the country would have been under his directive.
From his New York hotel, Thaksin was preparing to deliver an address at the UN Assembly. The room instead turned out to be the headquarters from which he attempted to launch a counter-coup and negotiate a political settlement. In New York, he planned to recruit top-notch American political consultants to advise him on his political campaign for the next election, which would have been pushed back from October 15 to some time in November.
Thaksin's talk of taking a break from politics was simply lip service. He told the Thai public he would decide whether to take a break from politics only after his Thai Rak Thai went to the Election Commission to register as candidates. This means Thaksin would have liked His Majesty the King to endorse a new election date before he made his decision.
Members of the Thai elite and the PAD, however, would not allow this to happen. If Thaksin were to run in the next election, he would have won. With 12 million votes or so, he would have claimed a democratic majority and he also would have stayed on as prime minister. After that he could rewrite Thai history by turning Thailand into his own regime.
General Sonthi had to act fast to head off Thaksin's coup. He staged a military coup on Tuesday, a day before the bloodshed was set to take place. He and Thaksin did have a telephone conversation on Tuesday evening, with Thaksin trying to buy time and negotiate a settlement.
He told General Sonthi that if he kept his cool, Thaksin would take a break from politics. He asked Sonthi to wait until he returned from New York so that the two could talk things out and said that he would reschedule his return flight to Bangkok to Wednesday, instead of yesterday as he had planned.
General Sonthi was polite, but told him that he had no choice, that he had to stage the coup.
In the meantime, Thaksin was checking on his military allies, who had control of Bangkok, for the most part. He remained certain that in a military power play, he could still emerge the victor. Maj-General Prin Suwannathat, commander of the First Infantry Brigade, is a close ally of Thaksin and he holds the most powerful military post in Bangkok. The commanders of the Air Force and the Navy are also good friends of Thaksin.
General Sonthi had the support of Lt-General Saphrang Kalayanamit of the Third Army, who had been outspoken in his anti-Thaksin remarks. The Third Army is in charge of all military operations in the North. Another key ally of Gen Sonthi is Lt-General Anupong Phaochinda of the First Infantry Division in Bangkok. Maj-General Sanit Prommas, the commander of the Second Cavalry Brigade, also came to play an important role in the power play to seize the capital.
Troops from Prachin Buri and Lop Buri were also mobilised to the capital to assist in the coup, the decisive outcome of which was ironically the victory of thaharn ban nok (upcountry military).
As it turned out, all of Thaksin's military allies, most notably Maj-General Prin, had been marked out - they could not move. General Ruengroj Mahasaranont, the supreme commander and a Thaksin ally, was to look after Bangkok once Thaksin had declared martial law. He too was subdued. Chidchai Vanasatidya and Prommin Lertsuridej were unable to launch any sort of counter effort.
Thaksin's wife Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra was supposed to take a 12am flight to Singapore on Tuesday night. She quickly changed her flight to 9pm. Well, Gen Sonthi had to let her off the hook.
Twenty-five minutes later, knowing that his wife was safely on an aircraft bound for Singapore, Thaksin read out his state of emergency address from his New York hotel room, effectively sacking General Sonthi .
But an hour later, General Sonthi declared a counter-coup to overthrow the Thaksin regime and tear up the Constitution.
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Thats just what I was about to ask too!! . 