BANGKOK, THAILAND-According to the Guardian (guardian.co.uk), Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government was overthrown Tuesday evening while he was away in New York. The coup, which is said to have involved approximately 14 army tanks surrounding the main government offices before the military revoked the Thai constitution and declared martial law, was led by Thailand's army commander General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, who is notably a Muslim in the Buddhist-dominated Thai state. The military reportedly declared provisional authority loyal to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the revered Thai monarch who publicly endorsed the group of commanders who led yesterday's overthrow of the democratic Thai government. There was apparently no resistance to the coup, which went virtually unnoticed in Bangkok's popular tourist districts where foreigners packed cabarets and bars, oblivious to the military takeover occuring just a couple of miles away. In a statement broadcast on national television, the new leaders proclaimed:
"The armed forces commander and the national police commander have successfully taken over Bangkok and the surrounding area in order to maintain peace and order. There has been no struggle. We ask for the cooperation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience.''
Link to the story below. -TW
Thailand's Military Ousts Prime Minister (Guardian Unlimited)
Updates:
Thailand's Military Bans all local political gatherings (Washington Post)
Thai Junta Imposes Curbs on News Media (New York Times)
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