I think we have a coup.

[Guest Geezer]

Turn on your TV...

 

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/1...umor/index.html

 

Where is LMTU?

[Guest Barry]

I'm watching CNN here in the States and they are reporting that the military has taken control of the government in a coup. The Prime Minister is here for the UN and they've moved his address up from tomorrow to tonight.

 

Stay cool and stay safe everyone.

 

Barry

[Gaybutton]

Yes, it's a coup. This doesn't come as any major surprise, at least to me. It's too early to know whether it will be successful. I am writing this at about 11:45 PM, Thailand time. Here's what's going on:

 

In Bangkok troops have taken over key government offices, including Thaksin's office.

 

Television programming on several Thai television stations has been suspended. They are running tributes to the King on several stations. However, cable TV is running normally and all the cable channels are running their regular programming.

 

Not too much about it is being shown on CNN just yet. Bush, just a few moments ago, concluded his UN speech, so it will be a little while before much coverage is going to be shown.

 

In Pattaya you would not know anything is happening. Everything in Pattaya is as usual. I have a feeling most people in Pattaya don't have any idea that anything is going on just yet.

 

For now, there is absolutely no cause for alarm for foreigners in Thailand. Everything, including banking and ATMs, are running normally and there is no unusual police presence anywhere. I have seen no evidence of military activity in Pattaya. I have not seen any Thai people doing anything other than what they do every day and there is no panic or even mild apprehension.

 

Before anyone starts cancelling trips to Thailand, lets give it a little time and see what happens. For me, the most interesting aspect of it is going to be how it affects the dollar-to-baht exchange rate.

 

Again, at this moment there is no reason for anyone to feel afraid. We'll certainly keep you posted as to what's going on as soon as we know more about it ourselves.

[Guest rainwalker]

Thai Prime Minister Declares State of Emergency

 

 

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Sep 19, 12:43 PM EDT

 

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- The Thai military launched a coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday night, circling his offices with tanks, seizing control of TV stations and declaring a provisional authority pledging loyalty to the king.

 

Rumors of a coup swept Bangkok today as the Thai military blocked the area around Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's office with tanks.

 

An announcement on Thai television declared that a "Council of Administrative Reform" with King Bhumibol Adulyadej as head of state had seized power in Bangkok and nearby provinces without any resistance.

 

At least 14 tanks surrounded Government House, Thaksin's office. Thaksin was in New York at the U.N. General Assembly and declared a state of emergency via a government-owned TV station.

 

A convoy of four tanks rigged with loudspeakers and sirens rolled through a busy commercial district warning people to get off the street for their own safety.

 

A senior military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin had used the military to take over power from the prime minister.

 

Thaksin has faced calls to step down amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

 

Massive rallies earlier this year forced Thaksin to dissolve Parliament and call an election in April, three years ahead of schedule. The poll was boycotted by opposition parties and later annulled by Thailand's top courts, leaving the country without a working legislature.

 

Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party twice won landslide election victories, in 2001 and 2005 and had been expected to win the next vote on Oct. 15, bolstered by its widespread support in the country's rural areas.

 

In 1992, demonstrators against a military strongman were gunned down before the king stepped in to end the fighting and usher in a period of stability.

 

On Monday, Thaksin had said he may step down as leader of the country after upcoming elections, but he will remain at the helm of his party, despite calls for him to give up the post.

 

On Tuesday night, several hundred soldiers were deployed at government installations and major intersections in the capital of Bangkok, according to an Associated Press reporter.

 

Army-owned TV channel 5 interrupted regular broadcasts with patriotic music and showed pictures of the king. At least some radio and television stations monitored in Bangkok suspended programming.

 

The cable television station of the Nation newspaper reported that tanks were parked at the Rachadamnoen Road and royal plaza close to the royal palace and government offices.

 

"The prime minister with the approval of the cabinet declares serious emergency law in Bangkok from now on" Thaksin said on Channel 9 from New York. He said he was ordering the transfer of the nation's army chief to work in the prime minister's office, effectively suspending him from his military duties.

 

Thaksin's critics want to jettison his policies promoting privatization, free trade agreements and CEO-style administration.

 

Opposition to Thaksin gained momentum in January when his family announced it had sold its controlling stake in telecommunications company Shin Corp. to Singapore's state-owned Temasek Holdings for a tax-free $1.9 billion. Critics allege the sale involved insider trading and complain a key national asset is now in foreign hands.

 

Thaksin also has been accused of stifling the media and mishandling a Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand that flared under his rule.

 

In Thailand's mostly Muslim south, separatist insurgents have waged a bloody campaign that has left at least 1,700 dead, mostly civilians, since 2004. Citizens there have complained of rights abuses by soldiers and discrimination by the country's Buddhist majority.

 

[Guest Boxer]

All news channels now blank inc BBC and CNN and local TV midnight Tuesday.

[Gaybutton]

Now it's 12:10 AM. All of the news stations, including CNN and BBC have gone off the air. However, obviously, the Internet still functions just fine, so on this end we'll be able to see the news via Internet for the time being. I guess, at least for the next several hours, people outside of Thailand will know more about what's going on than those of us within Thailand.

[Guest Geezer]

In Center condo at 12;27 AM we still have CNN, Fox, and BBC. I don

[Gaybutton]

Here are the first reports coming from the BANGKOK POST:

_____

 

Troops loyal to Army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Boonyaratgalin staged a coup tonight to overthrow caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

As of now, the troops appear to be in control of Bangkok and all television stations although, earlier, TV Channel 9 which is under the control of PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob managed to broadcast a message from the embattled premier declaring a state of emergency in Bangkok.

 

Tanks and troops are seen at the Government House and Sanam Luang.

_____

 

Army commander Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has launched a military coup, with tanks surrounding Government House and the military in charge of all local broadcast media.

 

The actual coup came in the middle of a panicky message by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from New York.

 

In a connection to Thai TV and radio, Mr Thaksin attempted to declare a "severe state of emergency in Bangkok" but was cut off midway.

 

Shortly after that, a message appeared on screen on public TV stations, saying the army was in charge, and appologising for inconvenience caused.

 

The last military coup in Thailand - there have been 19 since 1932 - was in 1991. It was overthrown in 1992 amid considerable bloodshed, and after that a democratic constitution was proclaimed.

 

"[Gen Sonthi] seems to be behind it. Since this afternoon there have been troop movements into Bangkok," said Panitan Wattanayagon, a professor at Chulalongkorn Univeristy who specialises in military affairs.

__________

 

No one has claimed to have taken control of government, but a power vacuum has occurred and it appears that there has been a military coup.

 

Tanks are on the streets of Bangkok, and parked on Sanam Luang (the Royal Grounds), near the Government House, in the main administrative region.

 

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawtara, currently in New York, declared a state of emergency on Tuesday evening, amid rumours that the military had staged a coup d'etat.

 

The broadcast with the Thaksin decree was cut off in mid-sentence. It has been common in past military coups - Thailand has experienced 19 since 1932 - for the military to seize control of the airwaves as their first step to seizing power.

 

Mr Thaksin also ordered troops restricted to barracks.

 

Tanks have taken up positions around Government House - meaning troops have not stayed in their barracks.

 

TV and radio stations are playing music and old videotapes of the type played during military coups in the bad old days of military dictatorships.

 

"I declare Bangkok under a severe state of emergency," said Mr Thaksin before his audio transmission was cut off by broadcast media.

 

Mr Thaksin requested an earlier speaking time at the United Nations -- early Wednesday morning Thailand time. Aides told reporters in Thailand that he intended to fly directly back to Bangkok after the speech, which would bring him back to Bangkok on Thursday morning at the earliest.

 

The official Thai News Agency was unavailable on the Internet, or by telephone.

 

 

 

[Gaybutton]

Now it's 12:45 AM. I don't know whether this has anything to do with the coup, but my TV service is provided by UBC Satellite. It has now gone completely off the air with a total loss of satellite signal to any stations at all. Maybe it's merely coincidence. I don't know yet, but what I do know is that there were no storms today and the weather is just fine, so there is no weather related reason for UBC to be completely offline. It's too soon to know for sure whether this has anything to do with the coup.

[billyhouston]

Dollar rate is now reported at 1 USD = 37.8 THB, as oppposed to 37.2 at the start of the day.

[Guest Martelly]

Sophon cable still on air at 12.58am

[Guest freeyourmind]

Wednesday morning Sept 20, 2006 1118 Hrs (Thailand time)

 

TV is still on

 

Rain has started in south Pattaya

 

Just lost cable

 

Oh my

 

Sophon cable is now totally off in South Pattaya

 

Was it the rain??? Hmmmmmmm

 

I have this funny feeling some of us will be up all night watching this activity in BKK

 

Stay tuned

[Gaybutton]

It's now 1:10 AM and rain has started in Pattaya and it's a heavy rain. Perhaps that's the reason we've all lost cable and satellite. I have a feeling it's going to turn out to be sheer coincidence. We'll know soon enough.

 

[billyhouston]

Now 1 USD = 37.2 THB, again

 

TIT

[Guest wowpow]

Tanks took up positions outside Government House A faction of the Thai military led by the army chief says it has overthrown Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Soldiers have entered the prime minister's offices in Government House and tanks have surrounded the building.

 

Mr Thaksin, who is at the UN in New York, has declared a state of emergency and said he had removed the army chief.

 

A government spokesman insisted the coup "could not succeed", and told the Reuters news agency that the government was still in control.

 

 

The spokesman said it had not been decided when the prime minister would return home from the UN.

 

However, in a broadcast on all Thai television channels the leadership of the armed forces said it had taken control of Bangkok, suspended the constitution and parliament, declared nationwide martial law and ordered all troops to return to their bases.

 

"We ask for the co-operation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience," the announcement said.

 

Retired Lieutenant-General Prapart Sakuntanak said the seizure would be temporary and power "returned to the people" soon.

 

 

Declaring themselves the "Council of Political Reform", the rebels said they were led by sacked military commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and declared loyalty to the king.

 

However, the BBC's Kate McGeown in Bangkok says King Bhumibol is held in high esteem by all Thais, and the declaration of loyalty does not necessarily imply that he backs the takeover attempt.

 

Our correspondent says low-level rumours of a possible coup have been circulating for weeks.

 

There has been pressure growing on the prime minister to resign, including from groups close to King Bhumibol, following a political impasse in which April's general election was declared invalid, says the BBC's correspondent Jonathan Head in Bangkok.

 

But it had been thought that Thailand was making progress towards holding another election later in the year, our correspondent says.

 

Political impasse

 

 

 

Witnesses said several hundred troops were posted at key points around Bangkok, including at government installations and major intersections.

 

Troops and guys dressed in Swat-style gear are strolling around

Russell Miles, Bangkok

Witnesses describe turmoil Britons in Bangkok warned

 

BBC World, CNN and other international news channels were taken off the air, and Thai stations played out images of the royal family and patriotic songs.

 

Russell Miles emailed the BBC News website to say there were troops "dressed in Swat-style gear strolling around" near Government House, and "a tense, but fairly controlled atmosphere".

 

He said: "We saw a group of blokes bundling a cameraman and another chap into a van. We are taking photos, but not out in the open."

 

At the United Nations, where the annual General Assembly is under way, it was announced that the agenda had been changed to allow Mr Thaksin to address it in the coming hours.

 

 

 

[Guest TomUK]

I will be travelling to Thailand in less than four weeks and earlier today (Tuesday) my boyfriend called and we were discussing our holiday plans and whether we should drive or fly to Chiang Mai.

 

A few hours later I turned my TV on to watch the 7 PM news and I suddenly felt like being kicked in the stomach. So far they have basically reported what Tee Pee wrote in his post above. They also mentioned that all the international TV channels had been switched off in Thailand - so nothing to do with the rain in Pattaya.

 

I just hope it will remain peaceful and for the sake of the people in Thailand I wish that the country will soon be back to democracy and not remain a military dictatorship for long.

 

I will definitely follow the events on the news and unless my flight will be cancelled I shall be in Thailand within a few weeks.

 

TomUK

[Guest JD]

http://www.tvunetworks.com/downloads/index.htm

 

If you have no TV service use this link to get software to view news stations inc CNN on your PC.

 

[Gaybutton]

http://www.tvunetworks.com/downloads/index.htm

 

If you have no TV service use this link to get software to view news stations inc CNN on your PC.

 

Thank you very much, JO. I just downloaded and tried it. It works beautifully!

[Gaybutton]

It's 7:00 AM in Thailand. Here's the latest:

 

Thailand is now under martial law. If there are military supporters of Thaksin, they have not yet acted in opposition to the coup. This is Thailand's 17th military coup since 1932. As of this moment UBC is still completely offline. The coup leaders have declared today (Wednesday) to be a government holiday, which will include banks, while they hold meetings with officials and try to establish order. Thaksin's wife went to Singapore on Monday and is still there. The whereabouts of the rest of Thaksin's family is not known.

 

There are reports of arrests of key govenment officials loyal to Thaksin and replacements of key government officials by the leaders of the coup.

 

There is a report that His Majesty, the King granted an audience with the leaders of the coup at about midnight last night. That is not yet confirmed and there are no reports yet as to the results of the audience, if indeed it took place.

 

Obviously, the Internet is still functioning normally. Telephone service is also still functioning normally, including mobile phone service.

 

The coup leadership is being referred to as the "Democratic Reform Council."

 

There are no reports yet as to whether there will be any effect upon the opening of Suvavarnabhumi International Airport. There are no reports of any international or domestic flight cancellations.

 

Last night at 2:00 AM my boyfriend called me. He was with friends near Sunee Plaza. There was a driving rain and he asked me to pick him up and bring him home, which I did. There was absolutely no police or military presence at all and the city was functioning normally. He and his friends were not yet aware of the coup. In all liklihood, most people were not even aware of the coup at that point.

 

There are no reports, as yet, whether the coup leaders first consulted LetMeTellU prior to their action.

__________

 

The following appears in THE NATION:

 

Coup leaders declare a holiday

 

Wednesday is a national holiday, the military coup leaders announced early this morning.

 

They said that government offices, the stock exchange and all banks should stay closed "in order to quickly restore law and order."

 

The declaration was one of four orders read in the wake of last night's coup.

 

The decree ordered university presidents, state enterprise officials and senior civil servants to a special meeting this morning at 9 a.m. at military headquarters, where they will be read details of new policies.

 

Foreign diplomats also have been invited, the announcer said.

__________

 

BANGKOK, Sept 20 (TNA)

 

Identifying itself as Thailand's 'Democratic Reform Council,' a group of the armed forces commander and the national police commander led by Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, carried out a bloodless coup d'etat on Tuesday night and dismissed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra while he was in New York.

 

Despite the demonstrated public distaste for military coups and military rule, one year of political impasse and deteriorating confidence in the prime minister developed into a situation where the public could view the military as a possible protector of the country's hard-won democratic reforms..

 

Carried out as Mr. Thaksin was in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, the lead-up to the coup saw the now former premier attempt to dismiss Gen. Sonthi on Tuesday, unsuccessfully.

 

Military armoured units surrounded Government House, and occupied the office of the prime minister, other key government offices, and radio and television stations.

 

Describing its action, the Democratic Reform Council said in its first announcement, shortly after 9pm in Bangkok, that "for the sake of peace and order" in the kingdom, the council imposed martial law on a nationwide basis, and repealed the state of emergency that Mr. Thaksin had declared earlier in the day.

 

In a second announcement, the council halted all mobilization and military movements, and ordered troops to their bases.

 

In its third announcement, the council repealed the 1997 Constitution, and dissolved the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Constitution Court.

 

However, the council affirmed the role of the privy council, the role of the courts of justice

[Guest mauRICE]

There are no reports, as yet, whether the coup leaders first consulted LetMeTellU prior to their action.

 

I almost missed that. I hope GayThailand wasn't out cruising at Sanam Luang when the tanks rolled in.

 

This just in:

 

An army of disgruntled English teachers on 30-day entry permits has seized control of of the Thai capital with whiteboard markers and course books.

 

They only have one demand: "Let us carry on working illegally on tourist visas and you can have your country back."

 

Meanwhile, back to flippin' burgers...

[Guest LoeplohandNalac]

thanks for all the information.

[Guest wowpow]

Troops have been told not to talk about their deployment

Thai military leaders are looking to consolidate their hold on power after staging a coup while the prime minister was at the UN General Assembly. Martial law has been declared, and the coup leaders have announced that regional commanders will take charge of areas outside the capital, Bangkok.

 

They have ordered provincial governors and heads of government agencies to report to them in the coming hours.

 

The country's stock market, banks and schools will be closed on Wednesday.

 

BBC World, CNN and other international TV news channels have been taken off the air, while Thai stations have broadcast footage of the royal family and patriotic songs.

 

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra cancelled a speech he was due to give at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday evening.

 

It is unclear whether he intends to return home.

 

The coup leaders insist that power will be returned to the people.

 

Declaration of loyalty

 

In Bangkok, Tuesday saw soldiers seize government offices and take up strategic positions around the city.

 

In pictures: Coup in Thailand

 

Coup leaders' statements Britons in Bangkok warned In a broadcast on all Thai television channels, the leadership of the armed forces said it had taken control of Bangkok, declared nationwide martial law and ordered all troops to return to their bases.

 

The rebels - who said they were led by Commander-in-Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin - have visited King Bhumibol Adulyadej and declared loyalty to him.

 

Many of the soldiers on the streets are wearing yellow armbands to signify loyalty to the king.

 

King Bhumibol, who is highly revered by Thais, has made no comment about whether he backs the takeover attempt.

 

But there has been some negative reaction from abroad.

 

The EU's Finnish presidency expressed "grave concern" at events, and the US called on Thais "to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner".

 

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he deeply regretted the fact that the coup had taken place, while New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark urged politicians and military to resolve their differences democratically.

 

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the organisation supported changes of government through democratic means rather than by the barrel of a gun.

 

'Unease'

 

Pressure had been growing on the prime minister to resign, including from groups close to King Bhumibol, following a political impasse in which April's general election was declared invalid.

 

Troops and guys dressed in Swat-style gear are strolling around

Russell Miles, Bangkok

Witnesses describe turmoil Send us your comments

 

But the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok reports that while many people wanted Mr Thaksin out of office, there will be unease about the way this has happened, and people will be looking to see whether the king has supported the coup.

 

It is the first coup attempt in 15 years in a country where they used to be commonplace. There were 17 of them between 1932 and 1991.

 

Opposition Senator Mechai Viravaidya welcomed Mr Thaksin's departure, despite doubts about the methods used.

 

"I'm delighted he's gone," he said. "It would have been great if he had resigned voluntarily, but apparently he was too stubborn. But at least it's better than an assassination."

 

Another opponent of the prime minister, Chirmsak Pinthong, suggested that Mr Thaksin's continuation in power would have been even worse.

 

"I would say that nothing is worse than what Thaksin has done," he said. "Thaksin has already carried out what I would call a silent coup, because he called the country as a dictatorship by using money in a corrupt way.

 

"Nothing is worse than the Thaksin regime."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5362228.stm

[Guest wowpow]

09.30 hrs TV satellite back on but the News channels BBC and CNN are blocked.

[Guest hajuthai]

09.50 tv still out of work. I have my informations from danish newspapers on internet. Danish embassy warn danes in Thailand to stay away from public buildings, and be very calm.

And the folish dansih foreign minister have condemmed the coup and praised Thaksin.

[Guest PapaDavid]

As of 1000 a.m. Thai time the on-line versions of both the Bangkok Post and The Nation are unavailable in the UK and appear to be blocked.