Military-coup in Thailand, will Ishihara copycat ?

[Buraku]

Traders watching Thailand closely are certain to remember how trouble in the kingdom has had worldwide implications in the past: The Asia currency crisis that erupted in 1997 began with the devaluation of the Thai baht, then snowballed into an international economic crisis.

More recently, Thailand has been in a state of political flux, with a caretaker prime minister running the government. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is in New York attending the United Nations General Assembly

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2463448
Crude oil futures rose. A barrel of light crude was quoted at $64, up 20 cents, in trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

[Tsuru]

I love how this supposed coup supports the Thai royal family. In other, usually African or South American nations where it's usually the head of state who gets overthrown, this coup looks like it's set to remove the little prat of a prime minister Thaksin and his government from office to make room for one that has more consideration for the country and its people.

I'm loving it!

[kamome]

I love how this supposed coup supports the Thai royal family. In other, usually African or South American nations where it's usually the head of state who gets overthrown, this coup looks like it's set to remove the little prat of a prime minister Thaksin and his government from office to make room for one that has more consideration for the country and its people.

I'm loving it!

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of Thaksin. The Thai are upset because he sold a telecom business to a Singaporean concern on a tax free basis (albeit the rules were manipulated just before the sale to allow for such treatment), but the economy has been very strong under Thaksin. I think the Thai's main concern is that the business was sold to a foreign concern (economic nationalism). Maybe the US could benefit from a regime change more than Thailand would.

[Mulboyne]

Adamu, a regular blogger over at Mutant Frog and an occasional contributor here just moved to Bangkok a little over a month ago. It seems he has no net access now but it will be interesting to see what he has to say.

[Tsuru]

I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of Thaksin. The Thai are upset because he sold a telecom business to a Singaporean concern on a tax free basis (albeit the rules were manipulated just before the sale to allow for such treatment), but the economy has been very strong under Thaksin. I think the Thai's main concern is that the business was sold to a foreign concern (economic nationalism). Maybe the US could benefit from a regime change more than Thailand would.

Ah, how could I forget... there is after all a US interest. How could there not be?

Maybe I'm a little naïve, but I like to think that he is being overthrown because he is a cronyist self-serving prick. After all, why would king Bhumibol himself support this coup? He is a half-god after all... He should know better than just doing whatever he is told to by the CIA. I sure as hell would not like to put any country on the verge of chaos just to make crude go up 20 cents per barrel. I know some people would, but surely not the demi-god king of Thailand?

Maybe, just maybe, he does what any real statesman would do: the thing he feels is right for his country.

[Buraku]

Looks like the Chakri monarchy still own the Thai's even today

The Japan LDP ( 50 yr single part state ) have nothing on these guys, the Chakri Dynasty have owned
Bangkok since the 1780s

[kamome]

[quote="Tsuru"]Ah, how could I forget... there is after all a US interest. How could there not be?

Maybe I'm a little naï]

Certainly he thinks he's doing something that's right for the country, but I don't think a military coup is ever good when it removes a legitimately elected politician from power. Just look at what has happened - the economy has been destabilized, the constitution revoked, media censorship, and the closure of most government institutions. The army chief has appointed himself the prime minister of that country.

To me, this all adds up to a very dangerous situation from the average citizen's perspective. Sure, they got a cronyistic prime minister out of power, but if that is the price you have to pay, I'd take Thaksin any day.

[Greji]

Ah, how could I forget... there is after all a US interest. How could there not be?

Tsuru, you have your nerve to insinuate that the US would be involved in overthrowing a foreign government. Where would you never get such an outlandish idea. BTW do you know where I could order some unmarked attack aircraft suitable for STOL on undeveloped strips hehe.,

Maybe I'm a little naive, but I like to think that he is being overthrown because he is a cronyist self-serving prick.

Now you're talking!

Maybe, just maybe, he does what any real statesman would do: the thing he feels is right for his country.

Well, one think is for sure contrary to the idiot says about the King "getting on board" with the coup, it is the opposite. Nothing happens in that country it the King does not approve of it in the first place.

You have to remember this is still a place where you can go to jail for an insult to the King's picture let alone an affront to the ole boy himself!

[Taro Toporific]

Adamu, a regular blogger over at Mutant Frog and an occasional contributor here just moved to Bangkok a little over a month ago. It seems he has no net access now but it will be interesting to see what he has to say.

[INDENT][url=http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/09/19/military-coup-seems-to-succeed-in-thailand/[/url]Mutantfrog Travelogue -- 2006/09/19/[/url]
Military coup seems to succeed in Thailand
....I was just in Thailand myself a couple of weeks ago, and co-blogger Adam is currently there in his girlfriend's apartment. He is not currently online, perhaps because the government has suspended Internet connections. This is just idle speculation though, I really have no idea what's going on. While there is little reason to be concerned for his safety, today's appointment to have his air conditioner repaired seems very unlikely to be kept. Coincidentally, his girlfriend is currently in Japan on a job interview, and was I believe scheduled to return to Bangkok today. Hopefully I'll hear a report from one or both of them some time today.

Update: Adam is back online, and I was right about the air conditioner repairman not keeping his appointment.

I find this editorial from The Nationpretty interesting. [/INDENT]

[kamome]

I think this quote from that Nation article cited in your post, Taro, sums it up pretty well:

Ideally, the likes of Thaksin should be rejected at the ballot box or through public pressure in the form of peaceful protests. The problem is most people did not believe both options available to them would succeed in removing him from power. To many people the military coup against Thaksin may be a necessary evil.


But make no mistake, the seizure of power, albeit one that was achieved without the loss of lives, is nonetheless a form of political violence that is incompatible with the democratic aspirations of the Thai people. Democratic aspirations will live on even as the Constitution has already been abrogated by the coup leaders.

And case in point:

Thai generals tighten grip with new media rules

Thailand's ruling generals are set to impose tough new curbs on the media, including a ban on expressions of public opinion, as they tightened their grip on power two days after a bloodless coup.

[Tsuru]

Tsuru, you have the nerve to insinuate that the US would be involved in overthrowing a foreign government. Where would you ever get such an outlandish idea.

I watch CNN.

[Greji]

[quote="Tsuru"]I watch CNN.

]

Good point! I hadn't considered that!

[Tsuru]

Best coup ever.

[Buraku]

THAI troops unleashed volleys of gunfire in street battles with anti-government protesters across Bangkok last night, forcing them back to their main rallying site in a final push to end days of turmoil.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25331455-601,00.html

At least one person was killed and 90 others wounded as troops fought with United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrators, who sent buses hurtling towards lines of advancing soldiers and torched the Education Ministry with blazing Molotov cocktails.

The red-shirted protesters later retreated to their camp around the Government House offices of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, a day after he had imposed a state of emergency in the capital.

Britain, Singapore, Canada and Japan have also warned of the dangers and advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Thailand. The Japanese Foreign Ministry has cautioned tourists against wearing red T-shirts, or the yellow shirts worn by anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy mobs.

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[Behan]

[Buraku]

USA Martial Law curfew implemented?

https://twitter.com/GoddesstheMuse/stat ... 2557959168

America the militarized police state.


Cheating charges, confusion over Thai election
https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idPOjn?now=true

Thai court voids order for ex-PM to pay $1B for rice losses
https://apnews.com/df0574588f307b0097b872621659c0fe