Military coup in Thailand, army takes over
Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) Thailand's army seized control of Bangkok and announced the creation of a "Council of Political Reform". From New York where he is attending the attending a meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra countered by declaring a state of emergency. The last coup in Thailand took place 15 years.
As soon as tanks rolled into the capital, Thai TV channels broadcast a message by officers who spoke on behalf of the armed forces and the police, "loyal to the king". The message said the armed forces had taken control of Bangkok and its immediate province and appealed for calm. It also announced the creation of a commission to reform the constitution, ousting Thaksin in the midst of protracted political crisis in which he was accused of undermining democracy.
Weerasak Kohsurat, a deputy minister in a former government, said he believed royal adviser Sumate Tantivejakul would head the reform commission and an interim government would be formed while political reforms were agreed. Elections would be called soon and Thaksin would be allowed to take part, he said.
The ousted Thaksin called a television station from New York, and declared "Bangkok under a severe state of emergency", "ordered troops not to 'move illegally' and told army commander-in-chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin to report to acting Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya.
Even though Thailand's last military coup was 15 years ago, speculation about military intervention has been rife, with motorists calling traffic radio stations last week after tanks were spotted rolling down streets of the capital. The army said that it was merely soldiers returning from exercises.
A general election scheduled for October was postponed last week, probably until November.
The Thai baht fell immediately after reports of tanks approaching the centre of the capital.
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28/03/2017 14:18
