Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Coup in Thailand

The military coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand while he was away attending the United Nations General Assembly session appears to be a well planned move by Army Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin with the blessings of the constitutional monarch. The immediate formation of the council of administrative reform with the king as the titular head testifies to this. The absence of serious protests points to the sinking popularity of Mr. Thaksin. Allegations of corruption against him and his colleagues alienated him from the people. Since military rule cannot be a solution to political problems, one hopes King Bhumibol Adulyadej will call for a general election soon.

M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, T.N.

* * *

The coup is the outcome of Mr. Thaksin's intolerance of criticism, his Government's suppression of news on the outbreak of bird flu, as well as disapproval over his methods of stamping out crime. The Government's handling of insurgency in southern Thailand also contributed to his downfall. The coup leaders must hold early elections and restore democracy in the nation.

Salman Zafar,
Roorkee, Uttaranchal

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