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Thai PM ousted in coup
19/09/2006 20:55 - (SA)
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| A Thai soldier keeps watch at a major intersection in the capital, Bangkok. (David Longstreath, AP) |
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Bangkok - The Thai army took control of
Bangkok on Tuesday without a shot being fired and announced a
commission to reform the constitution, despite the prime
minister's declaration from New York of a state of emergency.
A government spokesperson with Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra at the United Nations said the coup could not succeed
and "we're in control".
Tanks and soldiers took over Government House in Thailand's
first coup in 15 years and a coup spokesperson said on TV
the army and police were in control of the capital and
surrounding provinces.
The seizure would be temporary and power "returned to the
people" soon, said retired Lieutenant-General Prapart Sakuntanak on all Thai television channels.
Martial law
The army declared martial law, told all soldiers to report
to base and banned unauthorised troop movements, suggesting the
military leadership was worried that Thaksin loyalists in the
armed forces might attempt a counter-coup.
Prapart said the armed forces and police had set up a body
to decide on political reforms, ousting billionaire telecoms
tycoon Thaksin in the midst of a political crisis stemming from
accusations he had subverted Thailand's 74-year-old democracy.
"Never in Thai history have the people been so divided," said Prapart.
"The majority of people had become suspicious of this
administration, which is running the country through rampant
corruption," he added.
"Independent bodies have been interfered with so much they
could not perform in line within the spirit of the
constitution."
Weerasak Kohsurat, a deputy minister in a previous
government, told Reuters 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.
'Severe state of emergency'
In New York, Thaksin phoned a Thai television station to
make a statement.
"I declare Bangkok under a severe state of emergency," he
said.
The transmission stopped after 10 minutes while he was still
talking.
Inside Government House, about 50 soldiers ordered police
in the complex to lay down their weapons, said a witness, and
tanks and soldiers were seen on many street corners although
Bangkok remained quiet.
In his television statement, Thaksin ordered troops not to
"move illegally" and told army commander-in-chief Sonthi
Boonyaratglin to report to acting prime minister Chidchai
Vanasatidya.
He also ordered armed forces supreme commander Ruangroj
Mahasaranond to implement the emergency order.
- Reuters
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