Thai commander takes over after coup

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Thailand taken over by military!

**Thai commander takes over after coup **
By GRANT PECK, Associated Press Writer 31 minutes ago

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand’s army commmander ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a military coup Tuesday night while the prime minister was in New York, circling his offices with tanks, declaring martial law and revoking the constitution.

An announcement on national television signed by army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin ordered all troops to report to their duty stations.

As soldiers and armored vehicles moved through Bangkok, an announcement from the military earlier declared a provisional authority loyal to beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The announcement declared that a “Council of Administrative Reform” had seized power in Bangkok and nearby provinces without any resistance. It recognized the king as head of state.

Source

and we thought it was only Pakistan where it can happen… or did Thais felt our loneliness? Anyway, its likely to hit some financial markets around the world. What other impacts can it have?

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Re: Thai commander takes over after coup

Is not Thailand next to Burma, another Military Ruler there also.!

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Re: Thai commander takes over after coup

This is the 16th (or 17th) coup in Thailand, Pakistan has nothing on them.

CNN reports that they as well as the BBC have been taken off the air there.

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Thailiand is a Non-Nato Ally for USA and USA has major military presence in Thailand.

It all depends on how pro the Thailand Military is towards USA

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Re: Thai commander takes over after coup

^^ The new "Asian Tiger"

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The General is a muslim

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Re: Thai commander takes over after coup

That’s true. It will be interesting to see if Muslim separatism in the south of Thailand dies down for a while, now that one of their own is running the country.

This could be a blessing for Thailand if it brings a break in or end to the violence.

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Interesting... he's a Vietnam war vet, he fought as part of the Thai contribution to the American war effort.

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Pretty amazed at Thai secularism where a Muslim can be the top general in a majority Buddhist country!

While it seems they have taken some lessons from u s, we should also take some lessons from them with regards to secularism.

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Re: Thai commander takes over after coup

If you google news reports from last september when he was appointed to head the army, you’ll see that he was appointed to his position pretty much so that the Army could act against muslim separatists without being accused of being anti-muslim.

It was a political appointing that, much like political appointing of the COAS in Pakistam, has led to rather unexpected results.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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Re: Thai commander takes over after coup

Thai happy about the coup

http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2006/09/19/1863150.html

Local Thai community not worried about coup in homeland

UPDATED: 2006-09-19 17:27:20 MST

Many had hoped prime minister would step down

By SARAH KENNEDY, CALGARY SUN

Thai Calgarians said after years of corruption, they welcome news of a military overthrow in their homeland.

Despite declarations of martial law and images of tanks surrounding the offices of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Calgary restaurant owner Sam Chanhao said he doesn’t think violence will erupt.

“We knew this was coming,” he said.

“Nobody wanted a coup, we wanted the government to step down peacefully but ultimately this will be better for the country.”

Chanhao, whose family owns Thai Sa-On restaurant downtown, said he moved to Canada in 1982 but still has many friends and family living in Bangkok.

“I talked to them this morning and they are quite calm,” he said.

“Most of them still went to work today, they’re just avoiding the government buildings.”

Calgarian Daniel Fraser, who runs the Smiling Albino adventure travel company in Thailand, said despite the political upheaval, it’s business as usual.

“Luckily the Canadian consumer is much in tune and reads between the lines,” he said.

“This is a little blip and I have been on the phone today with lots of clients wanting to know if it’s safe … but it’s business as usual and people are getting on the plane as we speak.”

Fraser, who is currently back home in Canada for a brief visit, will be returning to Bangkok in 10 days and said his employees told him there’s no unusual amount of police or military tanks in the area.

“All is well and our team in Bangkok are fine and things should be back to normal quickly,” he said.

“This is a welcome relief because the government has had to go for months now and the military is the only organization in the country that has the clout to return power to the people.

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the US will definately be against it!

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Terrorist General

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Re: Thai commander takes over after coup

and what about democracy!

the coup is doomed

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I guess their prime minister was as incompetenet as Nawas Sharif

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for a country who's main industry is selling their kids to western peedos a muslim military leader may not be a bad thing

A question about foundation
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...

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im muslim/pakistani
just a v in the nick, doesnt change anything
what was your observation of my comment? do you agree or disagree?

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Oh good! I thought you were trying to associate Muslims with pedophiles. Now I think you meant otherwise. Sorry! But I don't think his being Muslim or non-Muslim will make a difference here.

I'll edit my comments.

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Re: Thai commander takes over after coup

Even as political appeasement, this could not happen in today’s Pakistan. Pre-Zia, perhaps.