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Thai coup leaders ban political activities

P. S. Suryanarayana

Offices re-open as normality returns to nation

SINGAPORE: Thailand's coup leaders on Thursday banned political parties from holding meetings and other activities. This was announced through the official and other television channels, according to diplomats and observers in Bangkok.

The resumption of political activities was promised after the restoration of normality. A ban on the formation of new political parties was also relayed through television channels.

These moves, designed to consolidate the new junta's hold on power, dampened the mood of Thailand's neighbours. While many of them have expressed concern, this was also tempered by their willingness, though not formally stated, to judge the coup leaders by their assurance to appoint a civilian government in two weeks.

Significantly, it transpires that the coup leader and Army Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who briefed foreign envoys in Bangkok on Wednesday, did not assure them of a one-year timeline for the promised restoration of democracy, according to diplomatic sources. They told The Hindu that Gen. Sonthi referred to the new military "government" as the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) and not Administrative Reform Council, the nomenclature which gained currency in the wake of the coup on Tuesday night.

While Gen. Sonthi conveyed to the diplomats his determination to hold elections to restore democracy as soon as possible, he later indicated at a press conference that the poll could be held by October 2007. Gen. Sonthi had indicated the CDR's move to prosecute Mr. Thaksin if a probe were to indicate any wrong-doing.

With public institutions re-opening across Thailand on Thursday, after a day of forced closure, life in Bangkok appeared to have regained much of its rhythm.

Some residents even offered bouquets to the soldiers patrolling the streets in armoured vehicles and tanks.

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