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Thai Army Declares Coup, Citing Need to ‘Reform’ Nation Thai Army Declares Coup, Citing Need to ‘Reform’ Nation
(about 3 hours later)
BANGKOK — The Thai military seized control of the country on Thursday in a coup, the culmination of months of maneuvering by the Bangkok establishment to sideline the populist movement founded by a billionaire tycoon that has won every national election since 2001.BANGKOK — The Thai military seized control of the country on Thursday in a coup, the culmination of months of maneuvering by the Bangkok establishment to sideline the populist movement founded by a billionaire tycoon that has won every national election since 2001.
It was the second time in a decade that the army has overthrown an elected government and at least the 12th military coup since Thailand abandoned the absolute monarchy in 1932. The takeover came two days after the military declared martial law.It was the second time in a decade that the army has overthrown an elected government and at least the 12th military coup since Thailand abandoned the absolute monarchy in 1932. The takeover came two days after the military declared martial law.
In a series of announcements Thursday, the military declared the Constitution invalid, dissolved the Cabinet, banned gatherings of more than five people, imposed a curfew and shut schools. But it said the courts would continue operating, as would the Senate, half of whose members are appointed and are friendly to the Bangkok elite. In a series of announcements Thursday, the military declared the Constitution invalid, dissolved the cabinet, banned gatherings of more than five people, imposed a curfew and shut schools. But it said the courts would continue operating, as would the Senate, half of whose members are appointed and are friendly to the Bangkok elite.
Television stations were ordered to replace their regular programming with messages from the military and patriotic songs.Television stations were ordered to replace their regular programming with messages from the military and patriotic songs.
Thailand, with one of Southeast Asia’s largest economies, has long been a potent draw both for foreign investment and tourists attracted by its reputation as “the land of smiles.” But in recent months, the country has made headlines worldwide for a protest movement seeking to suspend democracy, at least in the short term, as it struggled to unseat a ruling party it has been unable to defeat at the polls. Thailand, with one of Southeast Asia’s largest economies, has long been a potent draw both for foreign investment and tourists attracted by its reputation as “the land of smiles.” But in recent months, the country has made headlines worldwide for a protest movement seeking to suspend democracy, at least in the short term, as it struggled to unseat a governing party it has been unable to defeat at the polls.
The military began the day by hosting rival political leaders for what was billed as a second round of talks on how to resolve the country’s political deadlock. After several hours, however, soldiers detained the participants, including the heads of the country’s two largest political parties and Cabinet ministers. The military began the day by hosting rival political leaders for what was billed as a second round of talks on how to resolve the country’s political deadlock. After several hours, however, soldiers detained the participants, including the heads of the country’s two largest political parties and cabinet ministers.
The head of the army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha then announced the coup on national television, saying it was “necessary to seize power.” Mr. Prayuth said the coup was conducted “in order to bring the situation back to normal quickly” and to “reform the political structure, the economy and the society.” The head of the army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha then announced the coup on national television, saying it was “necessary to seize power.” General Prayuth said the coup was conducted “in order to bring the situation back to normal quickly” and to “reform the political structure, the economy and the society.”
Secretary of State John Kerry said he was “disappointed” by the decision to overthrow the country’s leaders. He urged that civilian government be restored immediately and said that the United States was reviewing military and other assistance to Thailand.Secretary of State John Kerry said he was “disappointed” by the decision to overthrow the country’s leaders. He urged that civilian government be restored immediately and said that the United States was reviewing military and other assistance to Thailand.
“There is no justification for this military coup,” he said in a statement that also called for the release of detained political leaders and a return of press freedom. “While we value our long friendship with the Thai people, this act will have negative implications for the U.S.–Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military.”“There is no justification for this military coup,” he said in a statement that also called for the release of detained political leaders and a return of press freedom. “While we value our long friendship with the Thai people, this act will have negative implications for the U.S.–Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military.”
Six months of debilitating protests in Thailand have centered on whether to hold elections to end political unrest. The governing party dissolved the House of Representatives, a fully elected body, in December in an attempt to defuse the crisis and set an election for February. The opposition Democrat Party, which has not won a national election since 1992, then disrupted the vote and refused to take part, calling instead for an appointed prime minister.Six months of debilitating protests in Thailand have centered on whether to hold elections to end political unrest. The governing party dissolved the House of Representatives, a fully elected body, in December in an attempt to defuse the crisis and set an election for February. The opposition Democrat Party, which has not won a national election since 1992, then disrupted the vote and refused to take part, calling instead for an appointed prime minister.
The courts later ruled that the election was unconstitutional, and this month dealt the government a more serious blow by removing Yingluck Shinawatra, the prime minister, from office. The courts later ruled that the election was unconstitutional, and this month dealt the government a more serious blow by removing Yingluck Shinawatra, the prime minister, from office. After midnight, the new junta ordered Ms. Yingluck and several relatives in her politically powerful family to report to military authorities on Friday.
Although the leader of the anti-government movement, Suthep Thaugsuban, was detained Thursday, his supporters praised the coup after months of chiding the military for not stepping in. Although the leader of the antigovernment movement, Suthep Thaugsuban, was detained Thursday, his supporters praised the coup after months of chiding the military for not stepping in.
“This is a victory day for the people,” Samdin Lertbutr, an anti-government protest leader said in an interview. “The military has done their job. And we have done our job.” “This is a victory day for the people,” Samdin Lertbutr, an antigovernment protest leader, said in an interview. “The military has done their job. And we have done our job.”
While the military said it would be fair to both sides in the continuing political dispute, it allowed anti-government demonstrators to remain in their protest site overnight even as soldiers in black masks dispersed crowds loyal to the deposed government. The Thai media reported that the loyalist group’s leaders were also arrested. While the military said it would be fair to both sides in the continuing political dispute, it allowed antigovernment demonstrators to remain in their protest site overnight even as soldiers in black masks dispersed crowds loyal to the deposed government. The Thai media reported that the loyalist group’s leaders were also arrested.
At the heart of the political upheaval is a longstanding struggle between the rural masses in the north who support the Shinawatra family and its most famous member — the tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra — and the elites who say his populist movement puts too much power in the hands of people they describe as less educated.At the heart of the political upheaval is a longstanding struggle between the rural masses in the north who support the Shinawatra family and its most famous member — the tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra — and the elites who say his populist movement puts too much power in the hands of people they describe as less educated.
Many describe Mr. Thaksin’s political movement as the most successful in the country’s history. He gained the allegiance of voters in the provinces by implementing universal health care, microloans and a more efficient bureaucracy before being ousted in a military coup in 2006.Many describe Mr. Thaksin’s political movement as the most successful in the country’s history. He gained the allegiance of voters in the provinces by implementing universal health care, microloans and a more efficient bureaucracy before being ousted in a military coup in 2006.
He now lives overseas, though many critics have complained of what they see as his undue influence on the government of his younger sister, Ms. Yingluck.He now lives overseas, though many critics have complained of what they see as his undue influence on the government of his younger sister, Ms. Yingluck.
The coup announcement was made after the Thai stock market was closed, and it remains unclear how the latest turmoil will affect an economy that already contracted in the first quarter amid the unrest.The coup announcement was made after the Thai stock market was closed, and it remains unclear how the latest turmoil will affect an economy that already contracted in the first quarter amid the unrest.
Although Thailand has been burdened with tumultuous politics for decades, it has also been, by many measures, an economic success story and a well-functioning society, consistently outperforming almost all of its neighbors. Close to 100 percent of the population has running water and electricity. The unemployment rate is only around 1 percent. And American and Japanese automotive factories together export more than a million cars a year from the country. Thailand is also one of the world’s largest producers of computer hard drives.Although Thailand has been burdened with tumultuous politics for decades, it has also been, by many measures, an economic success story and a well-functioning society, consistently outperforming almost all of its neighbors. Close to 100 percent of the population has running water and electricity. The unemployment rate is only around 1 percent. And American and Japanese automotive factories together export more than a million cars a year from the country. Thailand is also one of the world’s largest producers of computer hard drives.
In Thailand’s turbulent political history, the king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, has on at least one occasion helped resolve political disputes. But he is 86 years old and ailing.In Thailand’s turbulent political history, the king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, has on at least one occasion helped resolve political disputes. But he is 86 years old and ailing.
General Prayuth said in his announcement that the king was “above the entire conflict.” The military “will protect and worship the monarchy,” he said.General Prayuth said in his announcement that the king was “above the entire conflict.” The military “will protect and worship the monarchy,” he said.
There have been so many coups in Thailand’s history that scholars have not arrived at a definitive number.There have been so many coups in Thailand’s history that scholars have not arrived at a definitive number.
Nicholas Farrelly, a specialist on Southeast Asia at Australian National University, posted a message this week on New Mandala, a website dedicated to studies on Thailand and its neighboring countries. Mr. Farrelly tallied 11 “successful” coups and nine “unsuccessful” ones. But he wrote that he also found “obscure references to aborted military interventions.”Nicholas Farrelly, a specialist on Southeast Asia at Australian National University, posted a message this week on New Mandala, a website dedicated to studies on Thailand and its neighboring countries. Mr. Farrelly tallied 11 “successful” coups and nine “unsuccessful” ones. But he wrote that he also found “obscure references to aborted military interventions.”
“Please share your knowledge to help us count Thailand’s military coups once-and-for-all,” he wrote.“Please share your knowledge to help us count Thailand’s military coups once-and-for-all,” he wrote.