Thailand declared State of Emergency
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Apparently there's nothing on Thai TV now. Only national anthem, and blank screen showing thai flag.
look serious....
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southeastasia/view/231380/1/.html -
ok noted.
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Local television reports say the military and police have seized control of the Thai capital Bangkok. The announcement says the troops belonged to the "Council of Political Reform".
Tanks head for central Bangkok; PM Thaksin declares state of emergency
Posted: 19 September 2006 2319 hrs
Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra
BANGKOK : Thailand's army chief Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has been sacked and a state of emergency declared in Bangkok amid rumours of a coup against the government.
Local television reported that a new army chief has already been appointed.
"He is in charge of solving the problems while the country faces an urgent situation," Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was quoted by television as saying about the new military commander.
Government officials said Mr Thaksin planned to return from New York on Thursday, a day earlier than scheduled.
Earlier, witnesses said more than 10 tanks and heavily armed troops blocked roads around Government House in Bangkok.
They added that forces loyal to the sacked Thai military commander have seized Government House.
Meanwhile, army television broadcast images of the royal family and songs associated in the past with military coups.
Bangkok has been gripped by rumours of an imminent military coup amid ongoing political uncertainty linked to demands that Mr Thaksin step down.
Unconfirmed reports said that the military was going to make an announcement during the night, but it is unknown what that announcement might be.
In New York, the White House said it was aware of breaking news reports about the political situation in Thailand and was seeking additional information.
"We've seen the reports, and we are seeking additional information," national security spokesman Frederick Jones told reporters as US President George W. Bush prepared to address the United Nations General Assembly. - AFP/de -
State of emergency in Thailand amid coup rumours
Updated Tue. Sep. 19 2006 12:15 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Thailand's prime minister has declared a "severe" state of emergency after rumours of a military coup swept the capital and tanks reportedly took position outside government headquarters.
"I declare Bangkok under a severe state of emergency," Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said in a message broadcast on army-owned TV station Channel 5.
Reports say more than 10 tanks blocked roads around the government headquarters, as Army television broadcast images of the royal family and songs associated in the past with military coups.
Shinawatra said he was ordering the transfer of the country's army chief to work in the prime minister's office -- effectively suspending him from his military duties.
The prime minister is in the middle of a political crisis as a street campaign is calling for him to step down amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
He has indicated he may step down as leader of the country after upcoming elections, but said for now he will stay at his party's helm.
"I will be the chairman of the party, but I'm not sure whether I should accept the prime ministership or not," he said Monday, adding that he will announce his ambitions "before, probably on the election registration day."
Government officials said Shinawatra, who is in New York today for the UN General Assembly debate, planned to return to his country on Thursday, a day earlier than scheduled.
Shinawatra has angered opponents and voters through his failure to end separatist violence in the south, as well as his family's decision in February to sell its shares in one of the country's biggest telecom groups, Shin Corp., to Singaporean investors.
The sale netted his family and others $1.9 billion. Many Thais accused the family of avoiding taxes and of letting loose control of an important national asset.
Massive rallies earlier this year forced Thaksin to dissolve Parliament and call for a snap election in April.
The poll was boycotted by opposition parties and later annulled by Thailand's top courts, leaving the country without a working legislature.
New elections are scheduled for Oct. 15 but are likely to be postponed until at least November.
Last month, police defused a bomb hidden in a car near Shinawatra's residence. An army lieutenant was charged in an alleged plot against the Thai leader, according to officials.
Yesterday, Thaksin spoke of the need to promote democracy in Asia at a New York luncheon at the Council on Foreign Relations.
He said developing democracies struggle in the same way as a "child learning to walk."
"As adults, we must learn to live with the pain and the pangs of democracy, lest we throw out the baby with the bath water," he said.
With files from The Associated Press -
They need the Kings intervention fast!
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wah. those tourists there now sibei suey.
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Seems like the Thai police and military had taken the TV stations in a peaceful manner...
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Oh no, there goes our CPF money.... -
wow, one general sacked and his chaps seize the government house
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Now all the thai tv and radio stations under military control....
the only 2 things that's running in my mind are Shin Corp and Temasek -
tis looks serious. hope it gets resolved soon.
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thai armed forces seized control of central bangkok
All radio and TV station and military control
State of emergency declared
Thai PM's office seized -
goot luck to those who are going bangkok during the deepavali's holiday!
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Thaksin is currently in the states when he declared the state of emergency, but his message got zzzzzzzz cut halfway thru.
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If the military seize power, Thaksin still going back to Bangkok?
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he's probably gonna be "welcomed" by thai troops at the airport, civil or militaryOriginally posted by laurence82:If the military seize power, Thaksin still going back to Bangkok?
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yah, he should know betterOriginally posted by foga:he's probably gonna be "welcomed" by thai troops at the airport, civil or military -
seems like the troops that are taking control of central bangkok are wearing yellow ribbons.
rebel commander is now meeting thai king. -
From past trends, probably nothing much is gonna happen to Thaksin.
The last time they had trouble was at the Democracy Monument (near the infamous Thamasaat University again). That was during the time of General Chavalit Yongchaiyud (he was PM back then). After some fighting, the King intervened and everything was forgotten. Today, Gen. Chavalit is an opposition MP in parliament.
But our CPF money.... -
they meeting him now at this hour??Originally posted by foga:seems like the troops that are taking control of central bangkok are wearing yellow ribbons.
rebel commander is now meeting thai king.
poor king..
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jus curious, what abt our cpf moneyOriginally posted by gentlerock:From past trends, probably nothing much is gonna happen to Thaksin.
The last time they had trouble was at the Democracy Monument (near the infamous Thamasaat University again). That was during the time of General Chavalit Yongchaiyud (he was PM back then). After some fighting, the King intervened and everything was forgotten. Today, Gen. Chavalit is an opposition MP in parliament.
But our CPF money.... -
Its in shin corp!!!Originally posted by foga:jus curious, what abt our cpf money
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now that's serious
Originally posted by ditzy:Its in shin corp!!! -
lucky i no have cpf account..
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Makes it a whole lot easier if something happens in the states while you're there during al qaeda activity period.Originally posted by mhcampboy:lucky i no have cpf account..