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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 1 hour later)
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. BANGKOK — Thailand’s military junta attempted to tighten its grip on this teetering country Friday, summoning members of the ousted government and imposing travel bans on scores of prominent political figures.
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.” But even as foreign governments from Washington to Tokyo have urged Thailand to reestablish a civilian country, Thailand’s army chief, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, has given no indication how long the military intends to maintain power — or whether it will relinquish it.
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. Prayuth has set out a vague agenda calling for reforms and stability, goals that have evaded Thailand for decades. His initial moves, some Thais said, raise the specter of a prolonged junta leadership in one of Southeast Asia’s most critical, though vulnerable, democracies.
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. One day after launching its coup, the Thai military appeared to have cooperation among bureaucrats in charge of running the country. Friday morning, ministry heads and private-sector leaders met with the junta. Yingluck Shinawatra, the recently deposed prime minister, also showed up — as ordered — at an army facility, and it was unclear if she and other family members had been detained.
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. In its attempt to establish order, Thailand’s military has used aggressive measures, ordering scores of political leaders to turn themselves in under the threat of arrest. So far, these has been no explanation for their detention. At least some have been held incommunicado, stripped of their mobile phones.
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. The coup runs the risk of exacerbating Thailand’s long-standing political divisions, leading to violence or, in a worst-case scenario, even civil war. But in the short term, the junta also faces another problem: legitimacy. Prayuth on Friday afternoon invited diplomats to a meeting in which he tried to explain the coup, Thailand’s second in eight years.
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. “Prayuth’s highest priority is to secure his legitimacy,” said Sean Boonpracong, a national security adviser in Yingluck’s ousted administration.
Nor was it clear who was on a list of 155 people reportedly barred by the junta from leaving the country. If Prayuth is to gain legitimacy domestically, he needs the blessing of the country’s beloved king — a move that could come in the next few days, said Dej-Udom Krairit, a senator who says he supports the coup. Dej-Udom said he expects the military to remain in power for at least a year before handing the reins to a civilian government.
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.” For years, Thailand has been riven by a dispute between a large rural class of voters and a smaller, urban group of traditional powerholders. The rural class has been galvanized by Thaksin Shinawatra, a telecom tycoon now living in self-imposed exile in Dubai, who still commands a powerful political network that includes his sister, Yingluck.
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. Thailand’s military has occasionally used tensions between Thaksin and his opponents as an excuse to intervene. Friday, there were only a few signs of defiance, with some activists and small groups in Bangkok publicly declaring opposition to the coup. The military has issued a broad edict banning such dissent — a rule that also applies to social media.
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. The military’s bold actions suggest that 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” — maintaining law and order and setting 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, initial indications are that the “interim coup period will be much more repressive,” he said.
“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. More 100 people — notably Yingluck; her temporary replacement as prime minister, Niwattamrong Boonsongpaisan; and several members of the influential Shinawatra family — were summoned to Friday’s talks, which the junta said were intended “to keep peace and order and solve the country’s problems.”
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. 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 threatened to block social media platforms.
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.” Neither Yingluck nor Niwattamrong was at a meeting Thursday in which Prayuth 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.
It added, “If we find any to be in violation, we will suspend the service immediately and will summon those responsible for prosecution.” Domestic and international television networks returned to the air Friday. But the military asked social media operators to cooperate in stopping messages that “incite violence, break the law or criticize the coup council.”
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 went about business as usual. Thais drove, biked, taxied and took public transport to work, unfazed by the change from democracy to military autocracy. On the streets of Bangkok, vendors still clutter the sidewalks and cars clog the streets. And there is little noticeable military presence. But normalcy disappears in the evening, as Thais rush home to beat a 10 p.m. curfew, instituted Thursday.
During business hours, 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. Lennox Samuels contributed to this report.