The Thai army has declared martial law in Thailand. This coup was implemented on Tuesday evening 19th September 2006.
Army commander Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin launched this military coup.
Tanks surrounded Government House and the military took charge of all local broadcast media. While attending a UN meeting in New York USA Prime minister Thaksin declared a state of emergency in Thailand. However it is reported that Thaksin was cut off during his communications from America.
At 11pm "The Administrative Reform Council" (ARC) issued a first statement on TV networks, saying the armed forces and national police had peacefully seized control of Bangkok and surrounding areas. Soldiers seized the Shinawatra Building, Thaksin's iTV television station and Thaksin's private residence.
Normal TV programs were interrupted and we were shown early videos of the King of Thailand accompanied by songs praising His Majesty the King of Thailand. The King is revered by the people of Thailand and this action indicated that perhaps an announcement would be forthcoming. Many are concerned for the King's health and we hope this event is not too stressful for him. We assume that this coup was timed to be implemented while the current King still reined. There is uncertainty about who his successor would be and in one case the diplomacy of one particular potential successor.
For several months Thaksin has been under pressure to step down.
Elections in Thailand are scheduled for November 2006 after the country's constitutional court ruled the April 2006 vote as unconstitutional.
Thaksin had called for the elections in April, three years early, after opponents accused the billionaire leader of abusing the country's system of checks and balances and bending government policy to benefit his family's business.
He avoided paying large sums of tax money due on the sale of one of his businesses.
This is the 19th coup in Thailand since 1932. There is no war in Thailand this is a bloodless coup.
The last coup in Thailand took place in 1991when a state of emergency was declared but was far from a bloodless coup. Hundreds of people were shot dead and many are still missing feared dead. That coup was overthrown in 1992 and after that a democratic constitution was proclaimed. Thailand is still an evolving democracy.
Many of Thaksin's Cabinet members and other people deemed hostile by the "Council of Administrative Reform" have been detained. Among them are Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya, Supreme Commander Ruengroj Mahasaranont and pro-Thaksin television host Dusit Siriwan.
The latest Thailand coup appeared to have very little effect in Bangkok's popular tourist districts, where foreigners packed beer bars just a few kilometers from where the tanks were stationed.
After coup, tanks become hottest tourism draw in Thailand
Here in Pattaya the schools have been closed for today Wednesday.
This coup was well timed. The situation should be sorted before the tourist season which begins in November.
Thaksin - More about the Thailand Coup
More about the Thailand Coup.
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