Army Takes Over Thailand in Military Coup d'état

Often referred to simply as "The Kingdom", this normally peaceful country has not seen this type of uproar for 15-years.

Thai Army takeover Courtesy: AsiaNews/Agencies

(BANGKOK, Thailand) - Troops claiming to be “loyal to the king and the constitution” have seized control of Bangkok, Thailand.

The AsiaNews/Agencies is reporting that Thai currency has taken a plunge. From New York, Prime Minister Thaksin has declared a state of emergency, and he is ordering soldiers not to act illegally.

After Thailand’s army seized control of Bangkok and announced the creation of a “Council of Political Reform”. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra countered by declaring a state of emergency.

As soon as tanks rolled into the capital, Thai TV channels broadcasted a message by officers who spoke on behalf of the armed forces and the police, “loyal to the king”.

The message said the armed forces had taken control of Bangkok and its immediate province and appealed for calm. It also announced the creation of a commission to reform the constitution, ousting Thaksin in the midst of protracted political crisis in which he was accused of undermining democracy.

Weerasak Kohsurat, a deputy minister in a former government, said 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.

The ousted Thaksin called a television station from New York, and declared “Bangkok under a severe state of emergency”, “ordered troops not to ‘move illegally’ and told army commander-in-chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin to report to acting Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya.

Although Thailand's last military coup was 15 years ago, speculation about military intervention has been rife, with motorists calling traffic radio stations last week after tanks were spotted rolling down streets of the capital. The army said that it was merely soldiers returning from exercises.

A general election scheduled for October was postponed last week, probably until November.

The Thai baht fell immediately after reports of tanks approaching the centre of the capital.