Bangkok - Thai coup leaders on Wednesday moved to censor the media and banned public gatherings as part of measures meant to ensure public order following their sudden overnight powergrab.
Strict controls were slapped on foreign and domestic media, state television announced, that allowed the communications ministry to block "disinformation" deemed harmful to a provisional military council now in control of the country.
"Please report the news straightforwardly and constructively, in order to bring back normalcy to our country," the announcement said.
The same announcement also said gatherings of more than five people would be banned "in order to not create any problems", adding that violators could be jailed for six months.
News24.
CNN 8:30 a.m. --Tanks rolling into BKK
Gen. Sonthi promises polls in Oct 2007
Thailand's military coup leaders on Wednesday pledged to remain in power for no more than two weeks before handing rule over to an appointed civilian government and predicted a general election would be held by October 2007.
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in his position as head of state, endorsed the appointment of the military government with army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin as acting premier shortly after 8:00 p.m. local time.
Sonthi assured a press conference earlier Wednesday that military rule would last no more than two weeks and the junta would end martial law as soon as the situation was back to normal.
He leads the self-named Administrative Reform Council which took power Tuesday night in a surprise coup while caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York attending the UN General Assembly,
Sonthi said they were looking for an appropriate civilian prime minister and cabinet members to run an interim government while Thailand drafts a new constitution and prepares for a new general election, probably by October next year.
Sonthi - flanked by the chiefs of the navy, air force, supreme command and police - passed on similar assurances to scores of Bangkok-based diplomats shortly before the press conference.
"And I can assure you there will be no changes in foreign policy whatsoever," Sonthi told the diplomats.
Sonthi, deemed a "professional soldier" who is loyal to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, mobilized troops and tanks to key strategic spots throughout Bangkok Tuesday night, effectively seizing power from Thaksin's caretaker cabinet.
He claimed the coup, which he had decided upon two days ago, was necessary to put an end to corruption, national divisions, and the undermining of independent agencies and the monarchy under Thaksin's rule.
King Bhumibol, who is head of state under Thailand's constitutional monarchy, had been informed of the coup prior to its implementation, sources said.
Thaksin, who reportedly left New York for London where he owns an apartment building, attempted to derail the coup by declaring a state of emergency in a televised broadcast. The broadcast, on Thai Channel 9, was cut off by the military, which had seized the airwaves by 10 p.m. (1500 GMT) Tuesday.
The Administrative Reform Council immediately suspended the cabinet, the Senate, the constitutional court and the 1997 constitution, apparently to pave the way for amendments largely aimed at preventing the return of a populist premier like Thaksin.
Military coups have been common in Thailand. There have been 17 coups since 1932, when a group of army officers and government officials overthrew the absolute monarchy and installed a democratic system under a constitutional monarchy. The last coup took place in 1991.
Bangkok's streets were calm Wednesday with no signs that fighting had broken out between the coup makers and officers known to be loyal to Thaksin.
Whether Thailand's rural population will rise up in support of Thaksin, who remains popular among the poor, remained uncertain although political observers doubted a provincial uprising would occur.
"They have to be mobilized," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.
"The problem with Thaksin is he has his followers, but they are all in the countryside, and he has to pay them to take a bus to the capital and provide lunches and per diem."
Although Thaksin's populist policies have won him devoted rural followers, he lost his shine in Bangkok this year.
"I liked Thaksin when he first came to power five years ago, but in the past two years, he hasn't delivered on his promises, and he's greedy," said Omtip Songthakul, a 44-year-old state enterprise worker who had gathered Wednesday with friends outside army headquarters in Bangkok to cheer the military.
Thaksin, a billionaire telecommunications tycoon who has been prime minister since 2001, has been abroad since September 9, on state visits to Finland, Cuba and the United States to attend conferences, but many suspected it was to avoid a brewing political crisis at home.
The United States, European Union and Thailand's Asian neighbours have expressed concerns over the political crisis and hopes that democracy will be restored swiftly and peacefully.
Thaksin has been under pressure to resign since January when his family sold its share in the Thaksin-founded Shin Corp to the Singapore government's Temasek Holding in a 1.9-billion-dollar, tax- free deal that irked Bangkok's tax-paying middle classes and elite.
Thaksin's wife, Pojaman, reportedly flew to Singapore Monday night. There had been rumours in the local press that the family, worth more than 2 billion dollars, have been moving assets out of the country for weeks.
Thaksin dissolved parliament in February and called for a snap election in an effort to regain his legitimacy in the face of mounting street protests against his allegedly corrupt administration and dictatorial leadership.
Thailand's three main opposition parties boycotted the April 2 polls, which Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party won. The results, however, were annulled by the constitutional court in May after Thailand's much revered king said he had found the election undemocratic and urged the judiciary to act.
Thaksin's political fortunes have arguably been on the decline since. Speculation that Thaksin might return as prime minister after a general election expected in late November had sparked fears that his comeback would severely divide the country.
Bangkok (dpa) - 2006-09-20
Thailand's military coup leaders on Wednesday pledged to remain in power for no more than two weeks before handing rule over to an appointed civilian government and predicted a general election would be held by October 2007.
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in his position as head of state, endorsed the appointment of the military government with army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Boonyaratklin as acting premier shortly after 8:00 p.m. local time.
Sonthi assured a press conference earlier Wednesday that military rule would last no more than two weeks and the junta would end martial law as soon as the situation was back to normal.
He leads the self-named Administrative Reform Council which took power Tuesday night in a surprise coup while caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York attending the UN General Assembly,
Sonthi said they were looking for an appropriate civilian prime minister and cabinet members to run an interim government while Thailand drafts a new constitution and prepares for a new general election, probably by October next year.
Sonthi - flanked by the chiefs of the navy, air force, supreme command and police - passed on similar assurances to scores of Bangkok-based diplomats shortly before the press conference.
"And I can assure you there will be no changes in foreign policy whatsoever," Sonthi told the diplomats.
Sonthi, deemed a "professional soldier" who is loyal to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, mobilized troops and tanks to key strategic spots throughout Bangkok Tuesday night, effectively seizing power from Thaksin's caretaker cabinet.
He claimed the coup, which he had decided upon two days ago, was necessary to put an end to corruption, national divisions, and the undermining of independent agencies and the monarchy under Thaksin's rule.
King Bhumibol, who is head of state under Thailand's constitutional monarchy, had been informed of the coup prior to its implementation, sources said.
Thaksin, who reportedly left New York for London where he owns an apartment building, attempted to derail the coup by declaring a state of emergency in a televised broadcast. The broadcast, on Thai Channel 9, was cut off by the military, which had seized the airwaves by 10 p.m. (1500 GMT) Tuesday.
The Administrative Reform Council immediately suspended the cabinet, the Senate, the constitutional court and the 1997 constitution, apparently to pave the way for amendments largely aimed at preventing the return of a populist premier like Thaksin.
Military coups have been common in Thailand. There have been 17 coups since 1932, when a group of army officers and government officials overthrew the absolute monarchy and installed a democratic system under a constitutional monarchy. The last coup took place in 1991.
Bangkok's streets were calm Wednesday with no signs that fighting had broken out between the coup makers and officers known to be loyal to Thaksin.
Whether Thailand's rural population will rise up in support of Thaksin, who remains popular among the poor, remained uncertain although political observers doubted a provincial uprising would occur.
"They have to be mobilized," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.
"The problem with Thaksin is he has his followers, but they are all in the countryside, and he has to pay them to take a bus to the capital and provide lunches and per diem."
Although Thaksin's populist policies have won him devoted rural followers, he lost his shine in Bangkok this year.
"I liked Thaksin when he first came to power five years ago, but in the past two years, he hasn't delivered on his promises, and he's greedy," said Omtip Songthakul, a 44-year-old state enterprise worker who had gathered Wednesday with friends outside army headquarters in Bangkok to cheer the military.
Thaksin, a billionaire telecommunications tycoon who has been prime minister since 2001, has been abroad since September 9, on state visits to Finland, Cuba and the United States to attend conferences, but many suspected it was to avoid a brewing political crisis at home.
The United States, European Union and Thailand's Asian neighbours have expressed concerns over the political crisis and hopes that democracy will be restored swiftly and peacefully.
Thaksin has been under pressure to resign since January when his family sold its share in the Thaksin-founded Shin Corp to the Singapore government's Temasek Holding in a 1.9-billion-dollar, tax- free deal that irked Bangkok's tax-paying middle classes and elite.
Thaksin's wife, Pojaman, reportedly flew to Singapore Monday night. There had been rumours in the local press that the family, worth more than 2 billion dollars, have been moving assets out of the country for weeks.
Thaksin dissolved parliament in February and called for a snap election in an effort to regain his legitimacy in the face of mounting street protests against his allegedly corrupt administration and dictatorial leadership.
Thailand's three main opposition parties boycotted the April 2 polls, which Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party won. The results, however, were annulled by the constitutional court in May after Thailand's much revered king said he had found the election undemocratic and urged the judiciary to act.
Thaksin's political fortunes have arguably been on the decline since. Speculation that Thaksin might return as prime minister after a general election expected in late November had sparked fears that his comeback would severely divide the country.
Bangkok (dpa) - 2006-09-20
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Coup will negatively affect tourism, says FPO
The bloodless coup d'etat staged Tuesday by the Administrative Reform Council comprised of top military leaders will affect Thailand's economic posture, particularly regarding tourism, according to Fiscal Policy Office deputy director-general Somchai Sajjapong.
Mr. Somchai said the situation needed to be closely monitored following the power seizure by the council.
However, he conceded that the military takeover will impact on the economy, especially tourism, as the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia had already warned their tourists to avoid travelling to Thailand.
He said it needed to be seen what the council would do in the next step. However, he believed the coup would not affect foreign investor confidence because it is staged with clear justification and intention.
But should the council take control of the country for too long, it might affect the climate of investment because foreign investors view military rule negatively and it would dampen confidence.
Because of this, Mr. Somchai said he wanted to see the general election held as soon as possible. If the election was delayed by another three months, it would have a greater impact on the economy, he said.
TNA 2006-09-20
The bloodless coup d'etat staged Tuesday by the Administrative Reform Council comprised of top military leaders will affect Thailand's economic posture, particularly regarding tourism, according to Fiscal Policy Office deputy director-general Somchai Sajjapong.
Mr. Somchai said the situation needed to be closely monitored following the power seizure by the council.
However, he conceded that the military takeover will impact on the economy, especially tourism, as the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia had already warned their tourists to avoid travelling to Thailand.
He said it needed to be seen what the council would do in the next step. However, he believed the coup would not affect foreign investor confidence because it is staged with clear justification and intention.
But should the council take control of the country for too long, it might affect the climate of investment because foreign investors view military rule negatively and it would dampen confidence.
Because of this, Mr. Somchai said he wanted to see the general election held as soon as possible. If the election was delayed by another three months, it would have a greater impact on the economy, he said.
TNA 2006-09-20
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Coup as it unfolds
The Nation monitors the events that led to the coup as well as events after it as following:
Sept 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.
9.40 pm Police commandos arrive Baan Chansongra, Thaksin's residence.
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.
The Nation 2006-09-21
The Nation monitors the events that led to the coup as well as events after it as following:
Sept 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.
9.40 pm Police commandos arrive Baan Chansongra, Thaksin's residence.
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.
The Nation 2006-09-21
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Thaksin says coup unexpected
Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he did not expect that he would be ousted by a coup.
He was speaking to reporters while leaving New York at 5 am local time.
"I didn't expect that this will happen. I came here as prime minister but left as an unemployed man," Thaksin said.
"That's fine that no one gives me job. I volunteered to work but the didn't want to give me job, so it's fine."
Thaksin said he kept in touch with his family and he believes he could talk to the Administrative Reform Council.
The Nation 2006-09-21
Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he did not expect that he would be ousted by a coup.
He was speaking to reporters while leaving New York at 5 am local time.
"I didn't expect that this will happen. I came here as prime minister but left as an unemployed man," Thaksin said.
"That's fine that no one gives me job. I volunteered to work but the didn't want to give me job, so it's fine."
Thaksin said he kept in touch with his family and he believes he could talk to the Administrative Reform Council.
The Nation 2006-09-21
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
LONDON (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup, arrived in Britain on Wednesday, airport officials said.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said there had been no requests from Thaksin or his entourage for any meetings with British government ministers or officials.
Thaksin, wearing a dark suit and red tie, put his palmed hands together in a traditional greeting as he left a Thai Airways plane at London's Gatwick Airport.
Thai army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said on Wednesday that military coup leaders would choose a new prime minister within two weeks and step back from power.
Blair's spokesman was not aware how long Thaksin was expected to stay, but noted that he had relatives in Britain. One of Thaksin's daughters is studying at a university in London.
Speaking less than 24 hours after he led a bloodless coup to oust Thaksin, Sonthi said it would take a year to produce a new constitution leading to a fresh general election.
Blair's spokesman said the British government was concerned about developments in Thailand.
"Our general approach would be that we want to see a return to democracy as quickly as possible," he said. "There are elections scheduled for October and November and we are actively trying to find out whether those elections will go ahead or not."
British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett said on Wednesday that it was not seeking Thaksin's restoration.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said there had been no requests from Thaksin or his entourage for any meetings with British government ministers or officials.
Thaksin, wearing a dark suit and red tie, put his palmed hands together in a traditional greeting as he left a Thai Airways plane at London's Gatwick Airport.
Thai army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said on Wednesday that military coup leaders would choose a new prime minister within two weeks and step back from power.
Blair's spokesman was not aware how long Thaksin was expected to stay, but noted that he had relatives in Britain. One of Thaksin's daughters is studying at a university in London.
Speaking less than 24 hours after he led a bloodless coup to oust Thaksin, Sonthi said it would take a year to produce a new constitution leading to a fresh general election.
Blair's spokesman said the British government was concerned about developments in Thailand.
"Our general approach would be that we want to see a return to democracy as quickly as possible," he said. "There are elections scheduled for October and November and we are actively trying to find out whether those elections will go ahead or not."
British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett said on Wednesday that it was not seeking Thaksin's restoration.
Ousted FM joins Thaksin in London
Ousted Foreign Minister Kantathi Supamongkhon decided not to return to Bangkok from France but travelled to London.
Kantathi was in Paris to attend Thai-France Cultural Exhibition that was presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Informed source said Kantathi decided to go to London where he has a house.
The Nation.
Ousted Foreign Minister Kantathi Supamongkhon decided not to return to Bangkok from France but travelled to London.
Kantathi was in Paris to attend Thai-France Cultural Exhibition that was presided over by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Informed source said Kantathi decided to go to London where he has a house.
The Nation.
Wait and see for Thai tourist sector
By Will Smale
Business reporter, BBC News
Travel firms are telling tourists not to photograph Thai tanks
As tanks continue to fill the streets of Bangkok, UK tourists appear to be going about their holidays relatively unaffected.
Tour operators say they have no plans to cancel flights to Thailand, and UK holiday companies insist that "it's very much business as usual".
With tourism being such a key component of the Thai economy - attracting 15 million overseas visitors last year and contributing more than 6% of the national economy - this will be welcome news for the many Thais who rely on the sector for their livelihoods.
By Will Smale
Business reporter, BBC News
Travel firms are telling tourists not to photograph Thai tanks
As tanks continue to fill the streets of Bangkok, UK tourists appear to be going about their holidays relatively unaffected.
Tour operators say they have no plans to cancel flights to Thailand, and UK holiday companies insist that "it's very much business as usual".
With tourism being such a key component of the Thai economy - attracting 15 million overseas visitors last year and contributing more than 6% of the national economy - this will be welcome news for the many Thais who rely on the sector for their livelihoods.
STEVE G wrote:
I phoned my partner in Nong Ki to get the Thai point of view on the political situation, and she interrupted me to tell me that the dog has cut his nose!
Update of the Issan perspective:
I called again today for further comment, only to be told that the dog’s nose appears to be healing, but he is off his food.
I phoned my partner in Nong Ki to get the Thai point of view on the political situation, and she interrupted me to tell me that the dog has cut his nose!
Update of the Issan perspective:
I called again today for further comment, only to be told that the dog’s nose appears to be healing, but he is off his food.
Last edited by STEVE G on Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
THAILAND'S steamy weather rather than the military coup was the only thing raising a sweat on Australians visiting the Asian holiday destination.
Footballers, tourists and expatriates seemed wary but relaxed yesterday as news of the bloodless coup filtered through.
The Saints and Hawks were all accounted for last night.
The 13-man Saints crew didn't even know of the drama until they were contacted by media manager Georgie Fidge yesterday.
"I've spoken to the boys and it's just a non-event," Ms Fidge said.
The 10 Hawthorn players in Phuket were told of the drama only after chatting to some Australian girls who had received a text message from home.
Expatriate Thomas Williams, who runs the Downunder Bar in Bangkok, said: "It was a pretty good coup – they didn't waste any bullets by shooting people."
Australia Herald Sun
Footballers, tourists and expatriates seemed wary but relaxed yesterday as news of the bloodless coup filtered through.
The Saints and Hawks were all accounted for last night.
The 13-man Saints crew didn't even know of the drama until they were contacted by media manager Georgie Fidge yesterday.
"I've spoken to the boys and it's just a non-event," Ms Fidge said.
The 10 Hawthorn players in Phuket were told of the drama only after chatting to some Australian girls who had received a text message from home.
Expatriate Thomas Williams, who runs the Downunder Bar in Bangkok, said: "It was a pretty good coup – they didn't waste any bullets by shooting people."
Australia Herald Sun
BANGKOK -- Thailand's coup leader Thursday ordered media executives to army headquarters to tell them to stop carrying expressions of public opinion following the military takeover, an army official said.
"At 4:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) Thursday, the army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has called a meeting of media executives," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"He will ask all media to stop broadcasting text messages from viewers, and to stop running other expressions of public opinion," he said.
Several Thai television stations allow viewers to send in messages from their cell phones, and then show the messages in a ticker at the bottom of the screen.
The official could not say how the ban on broadcasting opinions would extend to other forms of expression, such as newspaper editorials or Internet message boards.
Agence France-Presse.
"At 4:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) Thursday, the army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has called a meeting of media executives," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"He will ask all media to stop broadcasting text messages from viewers, and to stop running other expressions of public opinion," he said.
Several Thai television stations allow viewers to send in messages from their cell phones, and then show the messages in a ticker at the bottom of the screen.
The official could not say how the ban on broadcasting opinions would extend to other forms of expression, such as newspaper editorials or Internet message boards.
Agence France-Presse.