The Hindu : Front Page : Thai military stages coup against Thaksin

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006
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Thai military stages coup against Thaksin

P. S. Suryanarayana

Martial law declared and Constitution revoked; Thaksin, now in New York, announces the dismissal of General Sonthi

Photo: AFP

POWER GRAB: Soldiers on guard outside the Government House that houses Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's office in Bangkok on Tuesday after the military coup in the country.

SINGAPORE: A military coup against Thailand's politically embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was under way in Bangkok on Tuesday night, and the takeover of administration was far from complete several hours after the first signs of the takeover.

Thaksin was in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly session when the news broke out. He immediately announced the dismissal of Army Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin and declared a state of emergency. His action was reported on the government-controlled television in Bangkok. Shortly afterwards, the military takeover was announced on some television channels in Bangkok, according to diplomatic sources and independent observers there.

A military-controlled television station began playing martial music and displaying pictures of the country's constitutional monarch.

The situation in Bangkok, where anti-Thaksin protest rallies had become frequent in the past year, was believed to be peaceful during the initial hours of the crisis.

Council formed

A "Council of Administrative Reform," with King Bhumibol Adulyadej as the titular head, was reported to have been formed in the wake of the coup. But there was no immediate televised appearance by any military leader claiming to be the new ruler.

It was difficult to reach the civilian and military authorities in Bangkok over the telephone from Singapore immediately after the coup. But a few journalists from Thailand, now here to cover the annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, said no formal confirmation of the coup had been posted in the Thai language on the military web site or on the Government site.

They said the news of a military takeover was shocking, given that the people of Thailand had come to cherish democracy in the 15 years since the collapse of the last non-civilian administration in their country.

AP reports from Bangkok:

An announcement on national television, signed by Gen. Sonthi said martial law had been declared across the country and the Constitution revoked. He ordered all troops to report to their duty stations and not leave without permission from their commanders.

"Bangkok taken over"

``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 cooperation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience.''

Gen. Sonthi, a Muslim in the Buddhist-dominated country, is known to be close to the king.

Army spokesman Col. Akara Chitroj told reporters that Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit had been removed from his post.

At least 14 tanks surrounded the Government House, Mr. Thaksin's office.

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