How the coup d’etat in Thailand happened

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

Trusting tweets from Bangkok, there is a sense of uncertainty about what the future will hold following the army’s declaration of a coup.

Trusting tweets from Bangkok, there is a sense of uncertainty about what the future will hold following the army’s declaration of a coup.
Last night, the streets were very, very quiet after the curfew was imposed at 10pm. At 5am when the curfew was lifted. And looking around, if you hadn’t seen yesterday’s news, you really would have no clue that anything had taken place.
It’s a very fluid situation and it’s still unclear as to what will happen in the hours, days and weeks ahead. The real fear is how the pro-government supporters will react.
If the army installs an interim government that is not acceptable to the red shirt supporters, then there’s a real fear that violence could follow.

Here is how it started yesterday:

The TV announcement was made after cleverly detaining leaders of rival political groups at a meeting meant to seek a solution to the political crisis.

In the announcement, Gen Prayuth declared that the National Peacekeeping Committee was formed to seize power.

He claimed the power seizure was necessary to protect the life of the people.

“In order for the country to return to normal quickly, the National Peace Keeping Committee comprised of the army, the Thai armed forces, the Royal Air Force, and the police need to seize power as of May 22 at 4:30 pm,” army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha said.

He asked the public to go on with their daily lives as usual.

Thailand will take care of foreigners and continue relations with foreign countries, he said.

The Bangkok Post and the Nation both reported developments, and Gen Prayuth decided to make the move after he asked caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri whether the caretaker government and cabinet would resign, and the answer from the lead negotiator of the government was “no.”

Gen. Prayuth then announced that he decided to seize administrative power.

He then asked all 5 commissioners of the Election Commission (EC) and the Senate to leave the venue. The rest (20 altogether) were taken to the 1st Division, King’s Guard, to be under the army’s custody at the nearby barracks, next door to the Army Club.

The meeting brokered by Gen. Prayuth entered the second day on Thursday with the central issue on the resignation of Niwuttumrong Boonsongpaisan and his cabinet. The resignation would clear the way for the setting up of an interim government and Prime Minister to work out reform and a new election. Another key issue was when new polls should be held.

Gen Prayuth and the police chief, and other armed forces’ chiefs, announced the coup d’etat after the 7-partite meeting to find solutions, for the ongoing political deadlock at the Army Club failed.

After the talks failed at 4:10 pm, Gen, Prayuth ordered the end of the meeting and the representatives taken away.

The meeting mediated by Gen. Prayuth was attended by representatives of the red-shirt movement, the government, the Pheu Thai, the Democrats, the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, the Senate, and the Election Commission.

Life has gone on pretty much as normal, with only the curfew, newspapers, and a reduced TV presence giving any signs that a new power is in charge.

The latest reports announce that Military junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has declared himself acting Prime Minister until the new coup regime can find someone to serve in the post full-time, and a total of 114 people from both sides of the political groups were called to report to the military junta today at the Thai Army auditorium in Thewes, Bangkok.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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