Posted on 09/19/2006 3:02:16 PM PDT by Arabs only 600 years behind us
BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- The chiefs of Thailand's army, navy and air force met with King Bhumibol Adulyadej to declare they were taking over the country, according to a televised statement early Wednesday. The coup is being led by Thai army chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who announced that the military and opposition Party of Democratic Reform were taking over while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York for a U.N. meeting. Sonthi said Wednesday he would meet in the morning with government officials and leaders of other institutions, such as universities Thaksin canceled a scheduled Tuesday evening speech to the U.N. General Assembly, a U.N. official said. He insisted, however, that his government was still in control of the nation. Tanks and troops patrolled Bangkok early Wednesday after the army said the military was taking control. (Watch tanks roll through the streets of Bangkok -- 3:53) Police were closing stores and directing traffic off Bangkok streets, residents told CNN via e-mail, but no violence was reported. The coup plotters declared martial law and suspended the constitution of the Southeast Asian nation. They also declared Wednesday a holiday, with schools, banks and the country's stock market closed. "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 coup announcement said, according to The Associated Press. "We ask for the cooperation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience." Sonthi, who is known to be close to Thailand's revered constitutional monarch, will serve as acting prime minister, army spokesman Col. Akarat Chitroj said, according to The AP. Sonthi is a Muslim in this Buddhist-dominated nation,
(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...
He must fell like a lowly third world leader just about now..er...nevermind.
Just like the next one will be.
Ha yeah.. just imagine how embarassed he is at that UN conference.. he's not really the leader anymore..
King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Thai army chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
Names for Thai Coup Haiku. Good luck.
Too bad we can't see a similar scene in Caracas.
Does anyone know what this is about? I haven't been following politics in Thailand and none of the stories I've read seem to give any reasons for the coup.
Thai military declares Wednesday holiday to announce "new policy"
Months of rumours come true - Finally, it had come down to a military showdown.
according to The AP. Sonthi is a Muslim in this Buddhist-dominated nation,
LOL!
17...I guess now 18 coups since World War II, according to the rest of the article. This is nothing new to them.
Too bad it was a "bloodless" coup last time. Dummies let Chavez back in power.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/765052.html
Last update - 23:38 19/09/2006
Embassy warns Israelis in Thailand to stay near hotels
By Yoav Stern and Zohar Blumenkrantz, Haaretz Correspondents, and News Agencies
The Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that for now, life is going on as usual in Thailand, despite a military coup launched against the Thai prime minister.
The Israeli embassy in Bangkok instructed Israelis in Thailand to take precautions and stay close to their accommodations.
The Foreign Ministry recommended that those planning on departing to Thailand in the coming days follow the media for updates and examine whether their trips truly necessary.
Air traffic between Israel and Thailand is currently proceeding as scheduled.
Haaretz learned that no cancellations were registered and flights had not been halted in either direction. Of 350 passengers scheduled to fly Tuesday night on El Al's flight from Tel Aviv to Bangkok, 345 boarded the plane.
Flights between Israel and Bangkok on foreign carriers are proceeding as usual as well.
The Jordanian airline's office in Israel reported that the Bangkok airport is also functioning as usual, despite the coup.
The Thai military launched the coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday, circling his offices with tanks, seizing control of television stations and declaring a provisional authority loyal to the king.
The army took control of Bangkok without a shot being fired and announced a commission to reform the constitution, despite the prime minister's declaration of a state of emergency from New York.
A government spokesman with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the United Nations said the coup could not succeed and "we're in control".
Tanks and soldiers took over Government House in Thailand's first coup in 15 years and a coup spokesman said on television the army and police were in control of the capital and surrounding provinces.
The seizure would be temporary and power "returned to the people" soon, retired Lieutenant-General Prapart Sakuntanak said on all Thai television channels.
The army declared martial law, told all soldiers to report to base and banned unauthorised troop movements, suggesting the military leadership was worried that Thaksin loyalists in the armed forces might attempt a counter-coup.
Thailand is a popular destination among young Israelis recently discharged from the military, as well as among Israeli families.
Now will gum be legalized..???...oops wrong third world country..Its so confusing.
Thailand?
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