Coup Declared!

[JaiGuruDev]

I just tried calling 4 people in Bangkok and can't get through at all.. Hope it's just network congestion!

 

 

My daughter has been calling me last hour' date=' outgoing from bkk seems ok on cell phone system[/quote']

 

I called in to a cell phone and land line. It took a few times but I got through. Looks like congestion.

 

[pasathai1]

no matter who takes over, for the average thai same b.s. to put up with day in and day out.

 

( just a new batch of crooks to run things)

[Fidel]

A Thai friend just told me that Thaksin's family is leaving!!!

[pasathai1]

A Thai friend just told me that Thaksin's family is leaving!!!

 

 

maybe they could smell the tar and feather being prepared

[gene1944]

Live mid-market rates as of 2006.09.19 17:21:28 UTC. about Midnite BKK Time:

 

 

1.00 USD United States Dollars = 37.7734 THB

Thailand Baht

 

It was about 37.305 about 2.5 hours ago.

 

[Nervous_Dog]

Just congestion, blame me as I am on the phone calling staff and others overseas,

 

Very quite, from home I can see army base, freeways and roads, all quite

[Gyaos]

18:25 UK time (5 minutes ago).

 

BBC WORLD: 'Coup' sparks Thailand emergency

 

A tank on the streets of Bangkok amid reports of a coup Tanks took up positions outside Government House Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok amid reports of a coup attempt.

 

Soldiers have entered Government House and tanks have moved into position around the building.

 

Mr Thaksin, who is at the UN in New York, said he had removed the chief of the army.

 

National television announced that forces had taken control of Bangkok "to maintain law and order", and that they were declaring loyalty to the king.

 

However, the BBC's Kate McGeown in Bangkok says King Bhumibol is held in high esteem by all Thais, and the declaration of loyalty does not necessarily imply that he backs the takeover attempt.

 

Thailand map

 

An army-owned TV station is showing images of the royal family and songs linked in the past with military coups.

 

The announcement said the troops belonged to the "Council of Political Reform".

 

BBC World, CNN and other international news channels have been taken off the air, readers in Thailand told the BBC News website by email.

 

Our correspondent says low-level rumours of a possible coup have been circulating for weeks.

 

Thai media say that two army factions appear to be heading for a clash, with one side backing the prime minister and the other side backing military commander Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

 

The general was sacked by the prime minister earlier in the day.

 

Political impasse

 

Our correspondent Jonathan Head said it was not clear which faction had taken the initiative and moved into Government House.

 

He said there has been pressure growing on the prime minister to resign, including groups close to King Bhumibol, following a political impasse in which April's general election was declared invalid.

 

Eyewitnesses describe turmoil

 

But it was thought that Thailand was making progress towards holding another election later in the year, our correspondent says.

 

Witnesses said several hundred troops were posted at key points around Bangkok, including at government installations and major intersections.

 

Russell Miles emailed the BBC News website to say there were troops "dressed in Swat-style gear strolling around" near Government House, and "a tense, but fairly controlled atmosphere".

 

He said: "We saw a group of blokes bundling a cameraman and another chap into a van. We are taking photos, but not out in the open."

 

At the United Nations, where the annual General Assembly is under way, it was announced that the agenda had been changed to allow Mr Thaksin to address it in the coming hours.

[soiarrai]

Coup spokesman: Thai army takeover temporary

 

Published: 09.19.06, 20:19

 

The Thai armed forces' seizure of power is temporary and power will be "returned to the people" soon, coup spokesman Lieutenant-General Prapart Sakuntanak said on television on Tuesday.

 

The coup was necessary because Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government had divided the country and corruption was rampant, he said. (Reuters)

[Squishy]

The following is the statement from the miliary reformist.

 

There has been social division like never before. Each side has been trying to conquer another with all possible means and the situation tends to intensify with growing doubts on the administration amid widespread reported corruption.

 

State units and independent organisations have been politically meddled, not able to deliver their services as specified in the Constitution.

 

The administration is also usually bordering on "lest majest" actions against the revered King. Despite attempts from social units for compromises, there is no way to end the conflicts.

 

The revolution body thus needs to seize power. We have no intention to rule but to return the power to the people as soon as possible, to preserve peace and honour the King who is the most revered to all Thais.

 

[Nervous_Dog]

<>

 

Every coup says that,