Thai generals tighten their grip
2006-09-21 07:24
Bangkok - Thailand's ruling generals were set to impose tough new curbs on the press on Thursday, including a ban on expressions of public opinion, as they tightened their grip on power two days after a bloodless coup.
An army official said the heads of Thai media had been summoned for a meeting that would spell out the new regulations demanded by the military leaders who ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
King's support
The announcement came amid strong international criticism of General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who said on Wednesday he had the king's support for the coup and that it would be around one year before democracy could be restored.
Life in the capital Bangkok was largely back to normal on Thursday, with schools, banks and government offices open after being ordered shut for a day. Fewer troops were on the streets and many people seemed unruffled by the political turmoil.
"Everyone is happy," said Chaiyaporn Kurusiripong, 33, a bank employee. "On the first day back I think they will talk about this thing, but they will work as hard as usual."
Sonthi and his self-styled Council of Political Reform annulled the constitution, imposed martial law, banned public gatherings and closed much of the country's land border after taking power while Thaksin was out of the country.
Editorials, internet
It was also unknown exactly how any new restrictions Sonthi imposed on public opinion would apply to newspaper editorials or the internet. They appeared to be aimed at television stations that show messages from viewers.
"He will ask all media to stop broadcasting text messages from viewers and to stop running other expressions of public opinion," the army official said.
There have been no reports of violence or unrest since the coup, even in the north of the country where Thaksin has a strong following among the rural poor.
Concern over security
But even in the capital, the centre of the anti-Thaksin movement, commanders said they wanted to avoid taking unnecessary risks with a people who have been wracked by months of political upheaval.
"The army chief is very concerned over security," Lieutenant Romklao Thuwatham told AFP at government house, where four tanks and a few dozen troops were stationed outside.
"There is not yet complete trust in the situation."
US has condemned coup
The coup has drawn international criticism, including from the United States, which has made the introduction of democracy a centrepiece of its foreign policy.
"There's no justification for a military coup in Thailand or in any place else," said US state department deputy spokesperson Tom Casey. "We certainly are extremely disappointed by this action."
Meanwhile Thaksin arrived in London on Wednesday for what British officials called a "private visit," and did not speak to reporters.