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FINALLY, THE MILITARY TAKES OVER: MARTIAL LAW IS DECLARED!

IT WAS A MATTER OF WHEN, RATHER THAN IF. It has finally happened.

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Malaysia Chronicle

Sunday, 25 May 2014 09:01

As coup rocks Bangkok, video reveals ‘DECADENT’ lifestyle of Thai crown prince & wife

As the sounds of a George Michael song drifted over the tropical gardens, Thailand’s Crown Prince and his fun-loving wife were in the mood to party.

But the guest of honour at the event was not a visiting head of state or local dignitary – but the couple’s pampered poodle, Foo Foo.

A video of the decadent event shot at the Thai Royal Palace in Bangkok shows Princess Srirasmi – a former waitress – cavorting in just a tiny G-string as she feeds the dog cake.

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Thai E-News

วันอาทิตย์, พฤษภาคม 25, 2557

Thailand coup: Ex-PMs Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra to establish government in exile, says lawyer

หมายเหตุไทยอีนิวส์… เรื่อง”รัฐบาลพลัดถิ่น”นี้อ่านเพิ่มเติมได้ที่…

ทักษิณจะตั้งรัฐบาลพลัดถิ่น

Robert Amsterdam: เรื่องการพิจารณาการจัดตั้งรัฐบาลพลัดถิ่นแห่งประเทศไทย

By Peter Lloyd, wires

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-24/former-thailand-pm-to-establish-government-in-exile-lawyer/5475648

Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has revealed plans to set up a government in exile, in a direct challenge to the legitimacy of the military, following confirmation of a coup to remove the government led by his presumed proxy and sister Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

The decision was relayed by Mr Thaksin’s legal adviser, Robert Amsterdam, and revealed exclusively by the ABC.  

 

The announcement comes amid reports that coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha will remain at the head of a junta beyond his scheduled retirement in September, according to the Bangkok Post.

 

General Prayuth has assumed the powers to act as prime minister; except Section 2, which acknowledges that the king is the head of state.

 

On Saturday night the military junta disbanded the country’s Senate and placed all law-making responsibility in the hands of General Prayuth.

For more:

http://thaienews.blogspot.com/2014/05/thailand-coup-ex-pms-thaksin-shinawatra.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+feedburner%2FcuLk+%28Thai+E-News%29

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The New Face Of Thailand – An Infographic

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 05/24/2014 21:45 -0400

Martial Law

Thailand’s twelfth coup since 1932 reveals both the sorry state of its democracy and the erosion of the monarchy. But as political tensions in Thailand have escalated, raising fears that the country could return to the unrest that followed the ouster in 2006 of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, we thought it useful to note the key Thai political figures facing yet another crisis. As The Diplomat’s Serhat Unaldi notes, “If Thailand negotiates successfully, if the country avoids further bloodshed, it will soon be back on track for a positive transformation. If it fails, the consequences will be disastrous.”
…

Thailand: A Coup, the Crown, and Two Middle Classes

via The Diplomat’s Serhat Unaldi,

“I have decided to seize power,” Thailand’s army chief said on May 22, slamming his hand on the negotiation table where he had gathered the country’s rival political factions. The army commander was simply fed up.
…

In this broader context the latest intervention by the army appears as just another indicator of how defective Thai democracy has become. Yet, by declaring martial law throughout the country and then staging a full-blown coup, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha not only put democracy and civil liberties on hold, he also seized the power of the king. If applied to the entire kingdom, martial law can only be promulgated by Royal Proclamation. General Prayuth’s actions therefore reveal that it is not just Thai democracy that has come under pressure. With the slow departure of the ailing King Bhumibol from the political scene, the Crown has been put on the negotiating table.

Whereas the coup-makers in 2006 had the king’s backing, the soldiers behind the most recent military intervention did not seek royal legitimation of their actions. In fact, by sidelining the caretaker government of the Thaksin-affiliated Phuea Thai party, General Prayuth might even have antagonized an important member of the royal family: Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, who is known to be close to Thaksin. Interestingly, the prince has recently been given the command of a strategically important infantry regiment. He also holds a seat on the defense council. For that reason, it is likely that frictions within the military and between rival factions in the palace will come to the fore in the coming weeks.

If the coup results in the military’s unilateral appointment of a new prime minister who is unacceptable to the Thaksin side a further escalation is bound to occur. Yet such bleak predictions belie the potential for progressive change that lies at the heart of all crises. Rather than seeing Thailand’s troubles as a decline one might equally interpret them as a negotiation of a new social contract ahead of a sea change in the structure of the Thai state.

As King Bhumibol’s health fades, his charismatic leadership will soon no longer be a source of legitimacy for those who have prospered under his reign. The fear of losing hard-won privileges to the rural masses is a very real one for the royalist elites, sections of the military and many middle-class Bangkokians. Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, who has a controversial past, is unlikely to gain the respect his father could take for granted. The monarchy will be unable to provide legitimacy for an unequal capitalist development that merely trickles down to rural Thais but does not have their interests at its heart. Changes in people’s aspirations and a distinct “Thai spirit of capitalism” have already prompted a gradual reorientation away from the religious values that underpinned Bhumibol’s reign. Thailand is in an unenviable position having to cope with such tectonic shifts. But such is the nature of regimes that depend on one man. Once a monarch dies, the future is up for grabs.

And so Thailand is negotiating….
…

If Thailand negotiates successfully, if the country avoids further bloodshed, it will soon be back on track for a positive transformation. If it fails, the consequences will be disastrous.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-05-24/new-face-thailand-infographic

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IT’S OFFICIAL: IT’S A MILITARY COUP!

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• BBC News (World) ‏@BBCWorld 4h

  Military orders curfew from 2200 to 0500 after seizing power in #Thailand – join our continuing coverage http://bbc.in/1i7hsZY 

  Expand

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Coup leader Gen Prayuth said publicly that staging coup won’t solve anything – either he lied or he’s set 2 do d impossible. #Thailand

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Gayathry V ‏@gayathry 3h

Constitution suspended, government off the table, curfew on, foreign news off air, leaders being arrested #thailand #thaicoup

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Thai soldiers take control during a coup at the Army Club where Thailand’s army chief held a meeting with all rival factions in central Bangkok on Thursday, May 22, 2014. — PHOTO: REUTERS

– See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/bangkok-showdown/story/thailand-coup-brief-history-past-military-coups-20140522#sthash.kPMjDEc3.dpuf

#Thailand #coup: A brief history of past military coups in the country http://bit.ly/RcJBaE 

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Thailand’s military coup in pictures: http://cbc.sh/ip8uNdl  #Thailand #ThaiCoup #ThailandCoup pic.twitter.com/7PxF3q79jd

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#Thailand: Army bans groups of more than five people from gathering #coup http://bit.ly/1nuigvq  pic.twitter.com/dYGsYrn4mZ

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#ThaiCoup: Viewer Edward Adios sent this photo of a crowded Bangkok BTS station less than 30 mins before 10pm curfew pic.twitter.com/21GAXcU1uP

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The Guardian

Thailand army declares martial law, denies coup – live

LiveThe Thai military declared martial law in the early hours of Tuesday morning, after months of anti-government protests and unrest, taking control of TV stations and patrolling the streets of Bangkok, but denied they are staging a coup d’etatHelen Davidson
theguardian.com, Tuesday 20 May 2014 02.34 BST

The pro-government Red Shirt leadership is holding a press conference. Leader Jatuporn Prompan has urged supporters to remain calm, and reassured people the government is still there.

Richard Barrow @RichardBarrow

Follow

10:30am Red Shirt leader Jatuporn says this is NOT a coup. Caretaker gov still in power (Via @UDD_English) pic.twitter.com/AQKfjKG8Aa #Thailand

11:35 AM – 20 May 2014

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/20/thailand-army-declares-martial-law-denies-coup-live

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BBC News

20 May 2014 Last updated at 02:38

Thailand army declares martial law

The Thai army says that it is imposing martial law amid a political crisis “to preserve law and order”.

The surprise announcement also granted the army wide-ranging powers to enforce its decision.

The military insisted that its assumption of responsibility for national security was not a coup.

Martial law comes after a long-running political crisis, and months of escalating tensions between the government and the opposition.

The chief security advisor to the interim prime minister said the government had not been consulted about the army’s decision.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27480845

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THE THAI CRISIS

Thailand’s crisis explained in 60 seconds

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25997318

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Vodio Breaking News ‏@VodioNews 40s

Video: Thailand Election Goes Forward… http://vod.io/Vivpy/  via http://app.vod.io

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The Wall Street Journal

Thai Elections Fail to Resolve Political Stalemate

Protests, Scuffles and Closed Polling Stations Hinder the Vote

Thai Prime Minister and Pheu Thai Party leader Yingluck Shinawatra poses before casting her ballot in the general election at a polling station in Bangkok on Sunday. Associated Press

BANGKOK—Thailand’s election Sunday was a fraught affair featuring protests, scuffles and padlocked voting stations, that failed to provide a clear outcome and did little to resolve a deep political stalemate.

The question for the country now is whether Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra‘s government will be able to hold additional by-elections in areas where people were unable to vote and eventually open parliament, or whether her opponents have bought themselves enough to time to force her from office through a series of potential legal challenges.

The outcome of Sunday’s vote was inconclusive. The chairman of the Election Commission, Supachai Somcharoen, said voting was disrupted in 11% of electoral districts, making it impossible to tally final results.

Protests and scuffles marred the elections in parts of Bangkok and in southern Thailand, where opposition to Ms. Yingluck runs deep and antigovernment protesters vowed to prevent the ballot going ahead. The standoff turned violent on the eve of the vote when a gunbattle between rival factions erupted on the streets of the capital, injuring seven people

Wall Street Journal ‎

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China Press (中國報)

Like This Page · 5 hours ago

泰國大選歷經波折，週日如期舉行，看守首相英叻（右下圖）在曼谷投票站順利投票，未遇示威者干擾。全國有逾10%選區未能成功投票。

泰國選舉前夕，反政府示威者與政府支持者在曼谷北部爆發槍戰，一名示威者持槍伏地，伺機開槍攻擊。

左下圖為英叻抵達投票站時，受到選民歡迎。（法新／路透社）

http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/495972

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Star

Sunday February 2, 2014 MYT 8:15:02 PM

Thai vote goes peacefully, but political paralysis looms

by martin petty AND amy sawitta lefevre

A policeman stands in front of a line of people waiting to cast their votes at a polling station in Bangkok February 2, 2014. Thailand went to the polls under heavy security on Sunday in an election that could push the divided country deeper into political turmoil and leave the winner paralysed for months by street protests, legal challenges and legislative limbo. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Elections in Thailand passed off peacefully on Sunday but the country was no nearer to ending its intractable political conflict, with the government facing the prospect of months of paralysis, protests and complex legal challenges.

Voting was disrupted in about a fifth of the country’s constituencies, but no major violence was reported, despite armed clashes between supporters and opponents of embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that wounded seven people on the eve of the ballot.

Voting ended at 3 p.m. (0800 GMT), but no results will be announced on Sunday, meaning little change to an uneasy status quo. Yingluck will remain caretaker premier for weeks, facing continued anti-government protests and the prospect of a slew of legal challenges aimed at invalidating the poll.
…

Even if Yingluck wins a fresh mandate, analysts say opposition against her remains entrenched and continued stalemate is almost certain. Yingluck said she hoped the various camps could find a way to break the deadlock.

“This election is part of the democratic process,” she told reporters. “I hope all sides can help solve each of the country’s problems. Overall, today was a positive signal.”

(Additional reporting by Alisa Tang, Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Pairat Temphairojana; Editing by Alan Raybould & Kim Coghill)

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/World/2014/02/02/Thai-protesters-join-final-antigovt-march-before-election/

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BBC News Asia

1 February 2014 Last updated at 19:55

Thailand election: Several hurt in Bangkok gun battle

Eyewitness Nick Nostitz: “There were moments when I thought I’m not going to survive it”

At least six people have been injured in gun battles in Bangkok between government opponents and supporters, a day before Thailand’s general election.

Journalists and members of the public raced for cover as protesters with handguns and rifles traded fire.

The demonstrators, who want Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to quit, were trying to blockade a building where ballot papers are being stored.

The main opposition Democrat Party is not standing in the election.

BBC News – Thailand election: Several hurt in Bangkok gun battle

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25997318‎

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Star

Sunday February 2, 2014 MYT 12:07:18 PM

Thailand set for chaotic polls after protest bloodshed

A Thai anti-government protester holds a protest placard during a rally at China town in Bangkok on February 1, 2014

Bangkok (AFP) – Polls opened Sunday for tense elections in Thailand with opposition demonstrators preventing voting in parts of the country, a day after a gunfight between rival protesters in Bangkok raised fears of more violence.

The snap poll was called by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in an unsuccessful attempt to quell rising tensions in the nation, which has seen three months of sometimes bloody rallies aimed at toppling her government.

Protesters want the election delayed by a year or more so an unelected “people’s council” can implement vaguely-defined reforms to expunge the influence of Yingluck’s divisive brother Thaksin — a former premier ousted in a 2006 coup that unleashed a cycle of political unrest in the country.

Voting could not go ahead in 45 out of the nation’s 375 constituencies because of the actions of anti-government protesters, authorities said.

In the south, a stronghold of the anti-government movement, protesters stopped post offices from distributing ballot sheets and boxes to polling stations in 42 constituencies, said Election Commission secretary general Puchong Nutrawong.

In Bangkok polls were unable to be held in at least three constituencies, including in Lak Si — the scene of a dramatic gun battle between pro-and anti-government protesters on Saturday which left at least seven people wounded.

But in some areas of the capital voting appeared to start without disruption by the opposition protesters, who have occupied key intersections in the city for a fortnight in a self-styled “shutdown” aimed at intensifying pressure on Yingluck’s caretaker government.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Regional/2014/02/02/Thailand-set-for-chaotic-polls-after-protest-bloodshed/

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Raw: Violence in Bangkok on Eve of Elections

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/video/raw-violence-bangkok-eve-elections-145722424.html

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Violence wreaks havoc on Bangkok a day before election

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/video/violence-wreaks-havoc-bangkok-day-142542741.html

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