Posted on 10/11/2006 6:37:42 AM PDT by Valin
THAILAND'S defence minister said today that martial law, imposed after last month's coup, would not be lifted for at least one month because of continued political instability. "We are not 100 per cent confident of the current situation, there is still an underwater current and some movement," said General Boonrawd Somtas, adding that the lifting of martial law was the responsibility of junta head General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. "If there is a signal that the situation is stabilised we are ready to lift the martial law. I think it would not be too long to wait - approximately one month from now," he said.
Thailand's military-installed premier Surayud Chulanont said later there were no immediate plans to lift martial law, and stressed that it was not a top priority. "Lifting of martial law is not an urgent issue and it will not happen in a week or two," he said. Mr Surayud declined to confirm or deny Gen Boonrawd's projection of one month, and said he had not set a deadline.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
thailand?
Thai Ping
Thanks for your insights on this.
And Welcome aboard.
I should mention at this time the old tradition here of new Freepers sending me twenty dollars.
Hey it was worth a shot. :-)
Thaksin did a LOT for Isan people. My wife's village has phone service and health care and better water. The government ID system has been thoroughly overhauled and computerized. He was tough against terrorism. He already is being missed. I suspect if he's allowed to return for the elections next year, he'd win again...
I wonder what killjoy thinks now that the military is violating what it promised and is retaining dictatorial power. A lot WORSE than Thaksin ever threatened.
Care to name some of the politicians Toxin 'went after'?
Ok, back up for a second. What was said is there is still threats to the security of the nation. Based off of various checkpoints I have seen setup around the country, it is obvious that there are military commanders that are more than willing to send troops into Bangkok to stage a counter-coup if they think it will work. (The checkpoints are in strategic locations that would give early warning of any type of movement.) Given there has been no abuse of power by those in charge, I don't see what the problem is.
BREAKING Martial law to be lifted 'next week'
Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtat said on Thursday that the military junta intends to life martial law before Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont heads for the Apec summit in Vietnam.
"It (martial law) is likely to be lifted before the premier travels to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Hanoi Nov 18-19 in order not to create uneasy feeling among other countries," the minister affirmed.
Gen Boonrawd said that Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin and Premier Surayud had discussed the issue and agreed that the military committee needed a few more days to decide, and that it is expected that martial law will be revoked very soon.
The move to lift martial law is an apparent response to mounting pressure from both domestic and international human rights groups on the coup makers' council and the interim government it installed.
Both bodies have been reluctant to revoke the law, citing remaining "political undercurrents", (lingering anti-coup and pro-Thaksin sentiment) as the main reason for maintaining it.NEWS from the Bangkok Post.
See post #10
"I should mention at this time the old tradition here of new Freepers sending me twenty dollars. "
When I joined you told me it was $50.00. I want a refund.
Thanks.
I wish they'd make up their minds. :)
As coups go, this one's not that bad.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.