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Thai coup leaders summon ousted premiers, leading politicians for talks Thai coup leaders summon ousted premiers, leading politicians for talks
(about 4 hours later)
BANGKOK — Thailand’s military junta moved Friday toward its objective of maintaining peace and resolving the conflict that has gripped the kingdom for months. The generals summoned two recently ousted prime ministers, Yingluck Shinawatra and Niwattamrong Boonsongpaisan, along with scores of other leading political figures, for discussions. They also banned more than 150 activists and politicians from leaving the country, completed the eviction of opponents and supporters of the overthrown government from their Bangkok camps, and said they would block social media platforms carrying content that incites violence or criticizes military leaders. BANGKOK — Thailand’s military junta summoned scores of political leaders, including two ousted prime ministers, to an army compound Friday as it sought to resolve the country’s long-running political conflict a day after taking over in a coup.
A retired U.S. diplomat in Thailand, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the actions sweeping compared with what happened in some previous coups d’etat, including the last one in 2006 that toppled popular Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s elder brother. “Other developments over the next year could be a game changer in the struggle for Thailand,” the diplomat said in an interview. The military leadership did not immediately explain why it ordered more than 100 people — notably ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra; her temporary replacement, Niwattamrong Boonsongpaisan; and several members of the influential Shinawatra family — to appear at a meeting, saying only that the talks were intended “to keep peace and order and solve the country’s problems.”
Neither Yingluck nor Niwattamrong was at the meeting on Thursday in which Army Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha announced the coup — and had those in attendance detained, including former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva — whose Democrat Party is the nemesis of Yingluck’s Pheu Thai party — and protest leaders Suthep Thaugsuban and Jatuporn Promphan. At the same time, the military also banned more than 150 activists and politicians from leaving the country, completed the eviction of opponents and supporters of the overthrown government from their Bangkok camps and said it would block social media platforms carrying content that incites violence or criticizes military leaders.
But Friday morning, the former premiers responded to the summons. It was not clear what was discussed, whether any agreements were reached, or what if any action was taken. Yingluck, who was removed from office earlier this month by Thailand’s highest court for abuse of power, arrived at an army compound in Bangkok around midday and was taken by soldiers to another army location about 30 minutes later, an aide to the former prime minister told the Associated Press.
Sean Boonpracong, an adviser in the ousted prime minister’s administration, said it is clear that “Prayuth’s highest priority is to secure his legitimacy.” A retired U.S. diplomat in Thailand, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the military’s actions sweeping compared with what happened in some previous coups, including the last one in 2006 that toppled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s elder brother. “Other developments over the next year could be a game-changer in the struggle for Thailand,” the diplomat said in an interview.
Neither Yingluck nor Niwattamrong was at a meeting Thursday in which Army Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha announced the coup. Those who did attend were detained. They included former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva — whose Democrat Party is the nemesis of Yingluck’s Pheu Thai party — and protest leaders Suthep Thaugsuban and Jatuporn Promphan.
After Yingluck and Niwattamrong responded to Friday’s summons, it remained unclear what was discussed, whether any agreements were reached, or what, if any, action was taken.
Nor was it clear who was on a list of 155 people reportedly barred by the junta from leaving the country.
Sean Boonpracong, a national security adviser in Yingluck’s ousted administration, said it is clear that “Prayuth’s highest priority is to secure his legitimacy.”
Yingluck was sacked by the Constitutional Court just over two weeks ago for what the jurists called abuse of power in connection with her decision to transfer the national security adviser to a new job as an adviser in the prime minister’s office.Yingluck was sacked by the Constitutional Court just over two weeks ago for what the jurists called abuse of power in connection with her decision to transfer the national security adviser to a new job as an adviser in the prime minister’s office.
It was not clear who the 155 people are that the junta, which has given itself the rather Orwellian title of National Peace and Order Maintaining Council, is preventing from leaving Thailand. The move was reported by Reuters. A military spokesman could not be reached for comment. Prayuth has not revealed what his plans are for the next several days — let alone weeks. Thais are even wondering how long the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew instituted Thursday will last. But the military’s bold actions suggest that Prayuth is taking a hard line, some analysts said.
Prayuth has not revealed what his plans are for the next several days — let alone weeks. Thais are even wondering how long the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew instituted Thursday will last. But the military’s bold actions suggest Prayuth is taking a hard line, some analysts said. On the one hand, said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak, the general is following a “coup template” — maintain law and order and set up an interim government. But on the other hand, he said, this is not a “normal” coup. On the one hand, said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak, the general is following a “coup template” — maintaining law and order and setting up an interim government. But on the other hand, he said, this is not a “normal” coup.
“It seems that this time the return to democratic rule within a constitutional framework will take longer, and that the interim coup period will be much more repressive.” “It seems that this time the return to democratic rule within a constitutional framework will take longer, and that the interim coup period will be much more repressive,” Thitinan said.
The new regime’s announcement about social media does seem to signal a more draconian approach to governing. Local television stations already are blocked, with viewers able to hear only military and patriotic music and see the legend “National Peace and Order Maintaining Council” on their TV sets, in English and Thai. CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC and others also are blocked. Al Jazeera continues to be available. The new regime’s announcement about social media does seem to signal a more draconian approach to governing. Local television stations already are blocked, with viewers able to hear only military and patriotic music and see the legend “National Peace and Order Maintaining Council” — as the ruling junta is calling itself — on their TV sets, in English and Thai. CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC and other networks also are blocked. Al Jazeera continues to be available.
In a TV spot, the military asked for the “cooperation from social media operators and all involved to stop such messages that incite violence, break the law or criticize the coup council.”In a TV spot, the military asked for the “cooperation from social media operators and all involved to stop such messages that incite violence, break the law or criticize the coup council.”
It added that, “If we find any to be in violation, we will suspend the service immediately and will summon those responsible for prosecution.” It added, “If we find any to be in violation, we will suspend the service immediately and will summon those responsible for prosecution.”
So far, social media networks Twitter, Facebook and others remain accessible, a boon for Thais who are avid users of such sites.So far, social media networks Twitter, Facebook and others remain accessible, a boon for Thais who are avid users of such sites.
On Friday, Bangkok was business as usual. Thais drove, biked, taxied and took public transport to work, unfazed by the change from democracy to military autocracy. On Friday, Bangkok went about business as usual. Thais drove, biked, taxied and took public transport to work, unfazed by the change from democracy to military autocracy.
Locals and foreigners alike were out and about, many seemingly oblivious to the coup — a comfort zone boosted by the almost complete absence of soldiers on the streets. A trio of camouflage-garbed soldiers loitered and rode their motorcycle near the major Ratchaprasong intersection, but appeared uninterested in civilians — other than allowing them to snap a few photos.Locals and foreigners alike were out and about, many seemingly oblivious to the coup — a comfort zone boosted by the almost complete absence of soldiers on the streets. A trio of camouflage-garbed soldiers loitered and rode their motorcycle near the major Ratchaprasong intersection, but appeared uninterested in civilians — other than allowing them to snap a few photos.
The general behind the coup has become a familiar figure on Bangkok’s streets and on television since last November, when Suthep Thaugsuban and his People’s Democratic Reform Committee launched their drive to unseat Yingluck and the Pheu Thai government. Prayuth is a no-nonsense Army man who is accorded all the respect and privilege of being not just the top military officer, but a ruling-class Brahmin.The general behind the coup has become a familiar figure on Bangkok’s streets and on television since last November, when Suthep Thaugsuban and his People’s Democratic Reform Committee launched their drive to unseat Yingluck and the Pheu Thai government. Prayuth is a no-nonsense Army man who is accorded all the respect and privilege of being not just the top military officer, but a ruling-class Brahmin.
Despite his move against Yingluck and her party, he is said to regard the ousted premier as bright and capable. “They get along fine; I think he likes her,” said Boonpracong. Some insiders even say that Prayuth called her ahead of staging his coup — even though he did not alert Niwattamrong, the sitting “caretaker” prime minister.Despite his move against Yingluck and her party, he is said to regard the ousted premier as bright and capable. “They get along fine; I think he likes her,” said Boonpracong. Some insiders even say that Prayuth called her ahead of staging his coup — even though he did not alert Niwattamrong, the sitting “caretaker” prime minister.
For a while the general was well-regarded by so-called populist Thais — typically among the Red Shirts loyal to the Shinawatras — who appreciated his oft-stated refusal to intervene in the country’s political tug-of-war, although he talked tough when confrontations turned violent.For a while the general was well-regarded by so-called populist Thais — typically among the Red Shirts loyal to the Shinawatras — who appreciated his oft-stated refusal to intervene in the country’s political tug-of-war, although he talked tough when confrontations turned violent.
Now, however, he’s anathema to those who believe there was no need for him to stage a coup, and that his action is merely the latest tactic in the ongoing effort to disenfranchise a big chunk of the Thai electorate — namely, those who regularly vote for the Shinawatras and their associates.Now, however, he’s anathema to those who believe there was no need for him to stage a coup, and that his action is merely the latest tactic in the ongoing effort to disenfranchise a big chunk of the Thai electorate — namely, those who regularly vote for the Shinawatras and their associates.
“If the army chief was so intent on finding a solution, the period of martial law (which Prayuth declared just two days before he overthrew the government and suspended the constitution) would have gone on and he would have pursued a peaceful solution,” said Thitinan, the analyst.“If the army chief was so intent on finding a solution, the period of martial law (which Prayuth declared just two days before he overthrew the government and suspended the constitution) would have gone on and he would have pursued a peaceful solution,” said Thitinan, the analyst.
Moreover, the general was expected to retire next October, after turning 60. He has now been quoted as saying that if the strife is not resolved before his scheduled departure from military service, he will stay on.Moreover, the general was expected to retire next October, after turning 60. He has now been quoted as saying that if the strife is not resolved before his scheduled departure from military service, he will stay on.
“That’s bad news not just for the next guy in line, but also for Thailand,” said the former U.S. diplomat.“That’s bad news not just for the next guy in line, but also for Thailand,” said the former U.S. diplomat.