Thai military seizes power in coup

Thailand’s army chief announced a coup on national television yesterday, suspending the constitution and detaining political leaders from both sides after months of protests that have sapped economic growth and caused political stalemate.

Two days after imposing martial law but insisting there was no coup, army chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha said Thailand’s 12th coup since 1932 would include a daily nationwide curfew from 10pm until 5am and banned political gatherings.

TV stations showed logos of the armed forces and played patriotic songs.

“To restore peace back to the country in a short time and for society to love and be at peace again, and to reform the country’s politics, economy and society, the Thai military, army, navy, air force and police have seized power from May 22nd onward,” said Gen Prayuth.

The putsch is the latest episode in a lengthy battle between the supporters of exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the opposition backed by the royalist establishment. Since the current unrest flared up in November, 28 people have been killed and 700 injured.

Fired in air The army ordered rival protest camps to break up and soldiers fired into the air to disperse thousands of pro-government “red shirt” activists gathered in Bangkok’s western outskirts, a spokesman for the group said.

The putsch takes place against a backdrop of political paralysis that followed the resignation of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra over corruption charges on May 7th. "All people should remain calm and live their lives as normal. All government officials continue to work in line with their regulations and what they have done before."

Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protesters, is being held at a military compound, while leaders of the pro-government Red Shirts have been arrested, and interim prime minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan taken to a safe location.

Gen Prayuth held talks with leaders from the ruling Puea Thai Party and the opposition Democrat Party, as well as members of the election commission, on Wednesday, and called on them to agree a compromise based on the appointment of an interim prime minister, political reforms and the timing of an election, but nobody backed down.

Future uncertain Thailand’s future is uncertain. The generals last took over in 2006, when they overthrew the government led by Mr Thaksin, the billionaire brother of Ms Yingluck, who now lives in Dubai. Two other governments have been overthrown since then by judicial moves altering the constitution. The army altered the constitution and through various manoeuvrings, an unelected government was installed that was unpopular in Thailand.

The latest putsch risks international sanctions and may extend almost 10 years of uncertainty and protest that has undermined economic growth in southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.

The royalist Yellow Shirt opposition will again call for a new leadership to be imposed without an election, but this will not go down well internationally, or domestically among supporters of the Shinawatras in the north and even among the rank and file of the military.

“Watching the military secure its position, and make moves to stabilise the current political order it is clear that things are likely to continue to look bleak for the foreseeable future. Military intervention always appears unpalatable, however the current political climate raises the possibility of an equally unpalatable alternative,” said Dr Liam McCarthy, an expert on South East Asia at Nottingham Trent University.

“Thai politics is polarised and the factions have not been ready, willing, or able to reach an amicable solution.

Escalation tensions In the face of escalating tensions Gen Prayuth has taken a rather paternal role, intervening before it gets worse. His statement that he “will not allow Thailand to be like Ukraine or Egypt” is a telling one, it speaks to his fears for Thailand’s future. Equally significant is the potential postponement of his retirement. “Whether this is a threat or a promise will largely depend on the people’s reaction to these developments,” said Dr McCarthy.