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 ...
I couldn't agree with your more. (Hence, my comment above)
They won't be turning toward Islam. Thailand is 98% Buddhist.
Thank you.
Are you there right now?
Nope. I'm on the other side of the big lake working on another degree. Thankfully the wife will be joining me soon.
Take care!
I'm safe here too. I can say that pretty confidently for my family, despite them being over there.
Citing the King and the display of ribbons have been quite reassuring. This should end soon and everything should go back to normal.
You take care too.
The top Army General is a muslim. Islamists have been troublemaking big time in Thailand. Assuming Thailand can be intimidated like the rest of the Muslim countries by the radical Islamists it's only a matter of time before freedoms are restricted.
Watch the news soon to come. Foreigners kidnapped, Foreigners attacked, this church or that one bombed, hard line Muslims appointed to ****government cabnet etc. etc. etc. We'll start seeing changes soon, at first mild but slowly over time heavy. I have a german friend who lives there full time and he's been concerned at the inroads the radicals have made mostly simply through intimidation.
Keep us updated here in Cambodia. I was able to get through to friends in Thailand last night, but no new info this morning.
I'm not in Thailand also. But since I heard, I've been trying to get as much info as possible. Also analysis from FReepers who were there have been invaluable. I'm surprised no one noticed the ribbons at all.
Yellow ribbons were noticeable on MSM reports last night. However, all Thai television feeds were still off this morning. Talked to one friend who flew from Thailand to Cambodia last night. Air travel is still normal, though military personnel are now at each immigration desk - no problem for foreigners but Thais are being strictly checked for documents, flight plans, amount of money carried, etc.
I do hope this will stay uneventful though there could be problems in NE Thailand and other rural areas (bases of Shinawatra support) if they decide to protest.
Thanks for posting. Very interesting.
I meant the significance of the ribbons. They represent the Thai monarchy. This shows their subjugation and allegiance to the king. a very good sign.
If the Army truly pledge themseleves to the King, Thailand should be fine. I think thiswill end quickly and painlessly.
Agreed... While there *is* a small insurgency in the southern part of Thailand by Muslims, the General who is apparently leading this coup is not a supporter. People who have gotten little, or incomplete information on the background have expressed concerns, naturally, but I don't think the concern is warranted at present...
the infowarrior
Yes, he is Muslim. He also served alongside US soldiers in Vietnam, is the former head of the Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command, and unbelievably respected by everyone who has been under his command. You might want to check your facts before posting.
Sondhi has been the one responsible for cracking down on the problems in the South. He is definately NOT one of the problems. He is the solution. Part of what caused the coup was the Prime Minister's decision to replace him.
The Prime Minister started this, not Sondhi.
Again, no disagreement from me... I was merely trying to get some other folks to settle down, and take a wait and see attitude...
the infowarrior
You might want to check your facts before posting.
Hope you're right but I can think of a few others who fought along side U.S. soldiers who changed stripes. Militants are gaining ground in Thailand. That's a fact.
Exactly. People think Muslims are like Borg. Nothing could be further from the truth. It's the same demented thinking as those used by the Islamofascists against Jews and the liberals agiaisnt us.
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