Coup 2014 !!!! : Military 'takes control' in Thailand

**koman** · 23-05-2014, 02:35 PM

http://asiancorrespondent.com/122874...and-coup-live/

Some chatter from sources other than the Bangkok Post...........

1.49pm: Saksith Saiyasombut @Saksith Follow
Consensus of vox pops on Thai TV (in full military control): ”#ThaiCoup is good, everyone was fighting, things will calm down. Yay!”

1.26pm: A number of Thai terrestrial channels are due to resume broadcasting later today. These include channels 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. However, Thai PBS, which continued broadcasting online yesterday long after other channels were shut down, is not expected to broadcast. There is no word on whether the block on foreign news channels such as BBC and CNN will be lifted.

bangkokpundit @bangkokpundit Follow
It seems ThaiPBS is being punishment for showing spine. Kudos to them

1.19pm: Associated Press’s Malcolm Foster has tweeted that Yingluck Shinawatra has left the Army Club and is en route to another military facility:

Malcolm Foster @mjfosterap Follow
Former Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra has left army compound after 30 minutes, aide tells AP, now headed for another army facility. #ThaiCoup

1.12pm:bangkokpundit @bangkokpundit Follow
Something to watch for today is,who the embassies will sent to represent them at meeting with junta. Ambassador, DCM, or Defence Attache?

1.01pm: Khaosod reports that border crossings with Laos have been closed “to prevent Redshirt activists from leaving the country”. One traveler has tweeted that foreigners can pass freely:

Sarah Ball @_satelliteeyes Follow
Direct from a #Laos border official: Thai cannot come into Laos, Lao cannot go into #Thailand. Foreigners can pass freely. #ThaiCoup

12.20pm: The Thai authorities have banned 155 people, including politicians and activists, from leaving the country:

Tulip Naksompop @Tulip_Oum Follow
12:10PM NPOMC announcement: 155 people on the to-report list are not allowed to exit the country. Person not report, will be arrested.

12.05pm: Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has arrived at the Army Club following summons

11.52am: Associated Press reports that Thailand’s stock market has dropped sharply since yesterday’s coup:
Thailand’s stock market fell more than 2 percent a day after the country’s military seized power in a bloodless coup. Other Asian markets were mostly higher Friday, helped by weakness in the yen.

11.43am: Thailand’s coup leaders have called a meeting with foreign diplomats and international organizations at the Army Club at 4pm.
__________________

**StrontiumDog** · 23-05-2014, 02:38 PM

https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/23752529...ands-stranded/

Thai ambassador called in for talks

May 23, 2014, 5:09 pm

Bishop says Thai coup a volatile situation

Thailand's ambassador to Australia has been called in by the federal government following confirmation of a military coup in the Southeast Asian nation.

Maris Sangiampongsa visited the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade office in Canberra on Friday afternoon.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has expressed grave concerns about developments in Thailand, describing the situation on the ground as "volatile".

Thailand's army chief has ordered demonstrators on both sides of the kingdom's bitter political divide off the streets after seven months of rallies in the capital.

The development came after the military imposed martial law earlier this week and follows the dismissal earlier this month of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thousands of Australians could be at risk of being stranded or left out of pocket as a result of a military coup in Thailand with insurance companies unlikely to cover any claims that stem from the unrest.

Thailand's army chief on Thursday ordered demonstrators on both sides of the kingdom's bitter political divide off the streets after seven months of rallies in the capital.

The development came after the military imposed martial law on Tuesday and follows the dismissal earlier this month of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

A nation-wide curfew has been imposed from 10pm until 5am, gatherings of more than five people have been banned and the constitution has been suspended.

Ms Bishop says the Australian government is seeking more information about developments in Thailand, and warned Australians travelling to Bangkok to exercise a high degree of caution.

"We are gravely concerned that the army chief has announced that the military is assuming all government functions in Thailand," Ms Bishop told ABC radio on Friday.

"It is a volatile situation. We are monitoring it closely but people need to pay close attention to their personal security and their travel plans."

While normal travel insurance claims would most likely be honoured, claims stemming from the coup, such as the cancellation of a flight or additional accommodation costs, could be rejected.

Policies bought before the unrest began would likely be honoured, but AAP understands that some insurers had applied new rules governing claims caused by the strife as far back as January 14.

It's unknown exactly how many Australians are currently in Thailand, but at least 5000 are registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website. Many more are not registered.

Insurance Council of Australia boss Rob Whelan said claims arising from riots, wars, rebellions, civil disruptions and military insurrection were common exclusions in travel insurance policies.

Mr Whelan said policies were not voided by the coup, but exclusions would apply.

"Though travel insurance will usually not cover you for claims arising from military insurrection, including any restrictions to your activities, travellers remain covered for normal travel-related claims," he said in a statement.

Mr Whelan said some travel insurers had already introduced embargoes on new policies for Australians intending to travel to Thailand.

The Australian government on Friday was continuing to advise travellers to "exercise a high degree of caution" and for people to avoid all demonstrations, protest sites, political events and large-scale public gatherings.

**StrontiumDog** · 23-05-2014, 02:42 PM

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-p...546755330.html

Former Thai prime minister summoned for talks

Yingluck Shinawatra among 100 ex-government figures asked to report to military authorities following army takeover.

Last updated: 23 May 2014 07:35

Thailand's former authority figures have reported to the new military junta after it summoned the entire deposed government and members of the politically influential Shinawatra family following a coup.

Yingluck Shinawatra, the former prime minister, and Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, her temporary replacement, were among the 39 prominent figures who reported to the designated military compound in Bangkok on Friday by the 0300 GMT deadline.

The army's intentions for summoning the people were not clear.

Thailand's army chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, seized control of the government on Thursday, two days after he declared martial law, saying the military had to restore order and push through reforms after six months of turmoil.

The military declared a curfew from 10pm until 5am, suspended the constitution and detained some politicians. Rival protest camps were ordered to disperse.

The capital, Bangkok, was calm and activity appeared to be relatively normal early on Friday, although the military has ordered all schools and universities to stay closed.

"There's a little bit more military presence but we're not looking at a situation with tanks rolling onto the streets," Al Jazeera's Scott Heidler, reporting from Bangkok, said.

Regular television schedules were suspended with all stations running the same news programme, featuring content from Channel 5, the army's own channel.

It showed pictures of the areas, now cleared, that had been taken over in and around Bangkok by various political groups since anti-government protests flared up last November.

"There is no justification for this military coup," John Kerry, US secretary of state, said in a statement on Thursday.

"This act will have negative implications for the US-Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military. We are reviewing our military and other assistance and engagements, consistent with US law."

Global concern

Kerry said he was concerned by reports that senior Thai political leaders had been detained and called for their release.

He urged the "immediate" restoration of civilian government and the lifting of curbs on the media.

European and Asian nations expressed concern over the coup, with Germany, France and Britain issuing statements of condemnation, Japan's foreign minister calling it "regrettable" and Singapore urging all sides to avoid violence.

Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, said he was "seriously concerned" and appealed "for a prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule and an all-inclusive dialogue that will pave the way for long-term peace and prosperity".

Under US law, with limited exceptions, no US foreign aid may flow to "any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup d'etat or decree".

The Pentagon said it was reviewing its military cooperation, including an ongoing joint exercise in Thailand involving about 700 US soldiers of the Marine Corps and sailors.

Jen Psaki, the State Department spokeswoman, said that as much as about $10m in annual bilateral aid could be cut.

THAI CRISIS A proposed political amnesty bill sparked mass protests late 2013. Critics feared it would allow ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, convicted of corruption, to return.

His sister Yingluck, then PM, called early elections. The Constitutional Court declared results invalid due to opposition disruption.

On May 7, the Constitutional Court ruled that Yingluck had to step down for abuse of power. Parts of her government stayed on in a caretaker capacity.

**somtamslap** · 23-05-2014, 02:50 PM

It isn't riap roy, though. It's fucking crap.

So, this coup. Kinda of a big deal, huh?

**Necron99** · 23-05-2014, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by somtamslap

It isn't riap roy, though. It's fucking crap.

So, this coup. Kinda of a big deal, huh?

Only if they start putting people up against the wall.
Otherwise business as usual.
Someone may abdi...err resign and someone else may take a top job while the army is keeping everything calm.

If they don't turn the telly back on soon though I'm gonna start bashing heads together..

**daveboy** · 23-05-2014, 03:02 PM

When does the civil war begin then ?

**Albert Shagnastier** · 23-05-2014, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Necron99

Only if they start putting people up against the wall.

Ain't gonna happen man.

Suspensions from politics and some light jail terms.
Maybe small amounts of hardcore/paid groups cracking each others heads here or there but that'll be it.

**The Ghost Of The Moog** · 23-05-2014, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by thegent

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

Originally Posted by The Ghost Of The Moog

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

I wonder what Thailand would have made of Steve Jobs if he had been Thai.

I suspect he would be serving life in exile and we would still have had Microsoft, Dell and Apple based in the US, with Satep Job founding Apple.

Why? Did Steve Jobs make a power-grab in the USA in order to maximise his fortune, roping in all the most venal, money-grubbing kleptocrats of the last quarter century and giving them a second lease on life at the trough?

No, but he started with nothing from a modest family with no influence. Try building an "Apple" in Thailand from nothing and see how long it takes the sharks to eat you alive through money and influence. If Jobs had been Thai his options would have been to either spend his life mired in the world of deference, backhanders and graft which would have sapped the company dry, or to get out.

Err, it seems the irony has gone whistling over that head of yours.

Thaksin was an insignificant bankrupt of no discernible talent with little except family connections which he utilized to gain a reasonable profit from a contract awarded through his police status. He built up his fortune through cronyism, insider knowledge and abuse of power excluding foreign contractors from competing with his telecom business which ended up as the only player in a field where he could, literally, print his own money. A real rags to riches story, eh? The rest of course is just history.

Indeed, he was quoted as saying (about his business empire)

'I owe it all to Yai Jod'

'Big Jod' was some Generallissimo whose palm needed greasing in return for free access to the goldmine.

**Mr Lick** · 23-05-2014, 03:33 PM

House arrests possibly, passport confiscation, asset & money laundering checks etc:

A few squeaky bums all round maybe if the top General is sitting in judgement

**Seekingasylum** · 23-05-2014, 03:41 PM

Yes, Moog, I believe it was the old warhorse Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. The story goes that he tipped Thaksin the wink before the baht was devalued thus allowing him to minimize his exposure which sank many others caught out in 1997.

**Yasojack** · 23-05-2014, 03:52 PM

Coup scares off HK group tours to Thailand | Thai PBS English News

Coup scares off HK group tours to Thailand
in Business | May 23, 2014
All group tours from Hong Kong to Thailand are canceled from Friday in the wake of the coup.
The military coup promoted Hong Kong’s Security Bureau to raise a ‘red travel alert’ in the city, the Travel Industry Council announced Thursday.

South China Morning Post said a total of 70 groups with 1,300 people would be affected.

HK Travel Industry Council executive director Tung Yao-chung said six of eight groups scheduled to set off Thursday also decided to cancel the trip, while the remaining two had decided to continue their tours to Chiang Mai and Phuket.

He said the agencies would meet again on Wednesday next week to decide the fate of groups scheduled to set off on May 31 and later.

There are currently 1,200 people in 50 tour groups in Thailand and another 1,200 individual Hong Kong visitors, according to Tung.

The red alert means people intending to visit the country should adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel, including travel for leisure purposes.

For those already in Thailand, the government is urging visitors to exercise caution, attend to personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people.

Tung said last night the council had not received any requests for assistance from Hong Kong tourists in Thailand.

Tung said about there were usually about 100 tour groups traveling to Thailand every week at this time of the year.

Hong Thai Travel Services said two tours with 60 people heading to Bangkok on Friday morning have been canceled, while two other tour groups to Phuket would go ahead.

A spokeswoman for the company said 30 tours with some 800 people currently in Thailand were all safe.

**Yasojack** · 23-05-2014, 03:55 PM

All free TV stations, except TPBS, to resume normal broadcast this evening | Thai PBS English News

All free TV stations, except TPBS, to resume normal broadcast this evening
in Business | May 23, 2014
The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) will allow all free TV stations which include Channel 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 to resume broadcasting their normal programmes this evening, secretary general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Mr Thakorn Tanthasit said.
All free TV channels, except TPBS, will begin normal programmes this evening on order of Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, director of the NPOMC, he said.

Radio stations are not included yet, he said.

He said TPBS is not allowed yet not because it has broadcast on YouTube though broadcast of all stations were suspended by the NPOMC after the coup.

He said it was not known when TPBS would be allowed on air again, pending further instruction from the NPOMC.

He said the president of the Digital TV Operators Association Suparb Kleekachai is discussing with the NBTC board chairman Col Natee Sukonrat for a possibility to allow 24 digital channels to begin broadcasting today.

**Necron99** · 23-05-2014, 04:12 PM

Some scrolling message on the TV, anyone got a translation?

**StrontiumDog** · 23-05-2014, 04:47 PM

ThaiPBS English News ‏@ThaipbsEngNews 3m

PDRC supporters hold signs and flowers for moral support to the army in front of Thai Army Club via: @Sanyakorn_TPBS pic.twitter.com/0EMzbyNjoX

**StrontiumDog** · 23-05-2014, 04:48 PM

Bangkok Post @BPbreakingnews · 7m

ACM Prajin Juntong oversees economic affairs for the NPOMC including the finance, commerce, industry and transport ministries.

Pheu Thai awaits Thaksin's orders
23 May 2014 : The Pheu Thai Party opted for quiet mode on Friday, waiting for directions from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a party source said.

Five TV stations to resume broadcasts
23 May 2014 : The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) has ordered TV Channels 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 to resume normal programming on Friday evening, Takorn Tantasith, secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), said.

Bail for some PAD leaders revoked
23 May 2014 : The Criminal Court on Friday revoked bail for three former leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for their participation in protests against the Yingluck Shinawatra government late last year.

**chassamui** · 23-05-2014, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Necron99

Some scrolling message on the TV, anyone got a translation?

Thunderstorm here, picture gone completely.
I have thunder in lieu of marching music, and heavy rain to dampen my resistance to the coup.

**StrontiumDog** · 23-05-2014, 04:53 PM

Activist Sombat challenges coup-makers | Bangkok Post: Most recent

Sombat: Catch me if you can

Published: 23 May 2014 at 15.11
Online news:
Writer: Aekarach Sattaburuth

Sombat Boonngam-anong challenged coup-makers on Friday to find and arrest him after his name was placed on a list of people who must report to the junta leaders.

The Red Sunday Group core member posted a Facebook message entitled, ‘’Report?’’ shrugging off the order with an image displaying the message, ‘’Catch me if you can’’.

Mr Sombat reiterated his opposition to a military coup and said he would not obey the announcement summoning him to report to the generals' National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC).

His message was posted on social media before the council warned that those who ignore the order to report to the NPOMC would be arrested and prosecuted.

He is among the 155 people summoned to report to the coup council.

As an activist, Mr Sombat opposed the coup in 2006, the military crackdown at Ratchaprasong in 2010 and the Pheu Thai Party's push for a blanket amnesty bill last year.

**Merrimack** · 23-05-2014, 04:53 PM

Some BBC audio on this. Starts at 2:32 on the ticker at BBC. At 6:50 Giles Ungpagorn and Saksith Saiyasombut counter dem party propaganda on the BBC.

BBC World Service - World Have Your Say, What's wrong with Thai Democracy?

**Dandyhole** · 23-05-2014, 05:10 PM

White House press secretary Jay Carney urges immediate restoration of civilian government.

**Thormaturge** · 23-05-2014, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by thegent

Err, it seems the irony has gone whistling over that head of yours.

Thaksin was an insignificant bankrupt of no discernible talent with little except family connections which he utilized to gain a reasonable profit from a contract awarded through his police status. He built up his fortune through cronyism, insider knowledge and abuse of power excluding foreign contractors from competing with his telecom business which ended up as the only player in a field where he could, literally, print his own money. A real rags to riches story, eh? The rest of course is just history.

The point you seem to have completely missed is that this is the only way for ordinary Thai folk to survive in business here. That is the point I am making. If anyone tried setting up something like Apple here they would be mired in a cesspit of cronyism, and abuse of power by competitors excluding them from competing with their own businesses. Business in Thailand is a shark pool. Open a 7-11 franchise and if it seems remotely successful someone else opens another one next door so half your profits evaporate. There are no controls. Thaksin's problem was that he was sharp and his competitors would prefer he was as blunt as Abhisit.

**nidhogg** · 23-05-2014, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Necron99

Some scrolling message on the TV, anyone got a translation?

From the missus: its an army message along the lines of we took over to help, not do bad things, please follow the rules, keep the curfew and blah blah blah

(although for some reason my missus pronounces it pla pla pla...)....think she got bored......

**xanax** · 23-05-2014, 06:16 PM

They could have helped people who wanted to vote of course in Feb, must have been too busy.

**nidhogg** · 23-05-2014, 06:18 PM

True visions is back!

**baldrick** · 23-05-2014, 06:20 PM

and blah blah blah

(although for some reason my missus pronounces it pla pla pla...)....think she got bored......

Or hungry

]

**nidhogg** · 23-05-2014, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by baldrick

and blah blah blah

(although for some reason my missus pronounces it pla pla pla...)....think she got bored......

Or hungry

]

Funnily enough, she was indeed cooking fish soup when I dragged her away to translate....

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