2006 Thai coup d'état

The 2006 Thailand coup d'état took place on 19 September, 2006, when members of the Royal Thai Army staged a coup d'état against the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The coup, which is Thailand's first in fifteen years, followed a lengthy political crisis involving Thaksin and political opponents, occurring less than a month before elections were scheduled to be held, on October 15. The military junta cancelled the upcoming elections, abrogated the Constitution, dissolved Parliament, banned political protests, declared martial law, arrested Cabinet members, and blacked out all local and international news broadcasts in Thailand. No casualties have been reported. Protesters, including a hunger striker, have been arrested.

Day one

A Royal Thai Army soldier armed with an M-16 rifle stands on a Bangkok street in the aftermath of the coup. The soldier is wearing a yellow patch of clothing (partially hidden by his rifle), showing loyalty to King Bhumibol.

On the evening of 19 September 2006, the Thai military and police overthrew the elected government of Premier Thaksin Shinawatra. At the time, the premier was in New York City for a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. At 18:30, Royal Thai Army Special Forces units moved from Lopburi province to Bangkok. At the same time, Prem Tinsulanonda, Privy Council President, had an audience with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, reportedly concerning a merit making ceremony for Bua Kitiyakara. By 21:00, the Special Forces units arrived in Bangkok. At 21:30, Army-owned television broadcaster Channel 5 ceased scheduled programming and aired songs authored by King Bhumibol. By this time, rumours started spreading that the military had arrested Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya, and that Thaksin's son had left the country. At 21:40, police commandos arrived at the residence of Thaksin. Army tanks soon took positions throughout Bangkok. [10]

At 22:20, Thaksin declared a state of emergency by telephone from New York. He transferred Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin from his post as Army Commander to a position at the Prime Ministers Office and appointed Supreme Commander General Ruangroj Mahasaranon to take control of the crisis. His declaration, broadcast on television, was cut immediately afterwards.

At 23:00, a military junta calling itself the the Administrative Reform Council (ARC) announced by television that military and police units had Bangkok and the surrounding areas. They noted that:

The armed forces commander and the national police commander have successfully taken over Bangkok and the surrounding area in order to maintain peace and order. There has been no struggle. We ask for the cooperation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience.

At 23:50, the ARC issued a second statement explaining the reasons for the coup d'état, where they said the junta leadership "wishes to reaffirm that it has no intention to become the administrators of the country." The council promised to retain the king as head of state and to return administrative power to the Thai people "as quickly as possible." By 00:39 a third statement was issued, abrogating the constitution and dissolving Cabinet, both houses of Parliament, and the Constitutional Court.

Foreign news channels, such as BBC World, CNN, CNBC and Bloomberg Television, were reported to have been taken off the air, although foreign broadcasters were still able to broadcast relatively freely from the Thai capital. Telecommunications networks were also left untouched, meaning news could travel in and out of the country via telephone and the internet. All local stations then aired a military speech loop stating everything would be over shortly.

The Army declared martial law nationwide. They also ordered all soldiers to report to their barracks and banned troop movements unauthorised by the coup leaders. Television footage showed heavily armed troops in M113 armoured personnel carriers and M998 HMMWV vehicles on the streets of the city. Many soldiers and military vehicles wore strips of yellow cloth as symbols of loyalty to the king, whose royal colour is yellow.

Junta commander Sonthi Boonyaratglin confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya had been arrested. High-ranked civil servants were ordered to report to the council while government offices and banks would be closed on 20 September.

A few hours after news of the coup broke, BBC News reported that the leader of the coup would be meeting with the King later in the day, although it was unclear at that time what King Bhumibol's position on the coup was.

Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai said of the events, "As politicians, we do not support any kind of coup, but during the past five years, the government of Thaksin created several conditions that forced the military to stage the coup. Thaksin has caused the crisis in the country."

Day two

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Frontpage of The Bangkok Post, September 20, 2006

At 20:30 UTC on 19 September (16:30 in New York City time; 03:30 on 20 September in Bangkok) it was announced that the Prime Minister had cancelled his speech at the United Nations. The prime minister watched his downfall on television from a hotel in New York after his speech was cancelled. Tom Kruesopon, an adviser to Thaksin and a member of his ruling party, said the premier "has not given up his power. He is not seeking asylum."

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin appeared on television at 09:20 on Wednesday morning and claimed that the military had needed to seize power in order to unite the nation after months of political turmoil:

We have seized power. The constitution, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Cabinet and the Constitutional Court have all been terminated. We agreed that the caretaker prime minister has caused an unprecedented rift in society, widespread corruption, nepotism, and interfered in independent agencies, crippling them so they cannot function. If the caretaker government is allowed to govern it will hurt the country. They have also repeatedly insulted the king. Thus the council needed to seize power to control the situation, to restore normalcy and to create unity as soon as possible.

Shortly after his coup, Thai TV programmes resumed whilst cable TV partly resumed. However, main foreign news channels (CNN, BBC, CNBC, NHK and Bloomberg) remained blacked out.

At 12:14, coup authorities demanded the "cooperation" of mass media - IT ministry authorised to check, censor information that affects the council work. (Source Bangkok Post).

A senior army officer said, on 20 September, that coup leaders in Thailand had sealed the country's northern border with Laos and Myanmar, following the overnight military power grab in Bangkok.

Thaksin Shinawatra left New York on a Russian chartered flight with Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee, and his personal assistant Padung Limcharoenrat. In an interview before leaving New York, he said,

I didn't expect that this will happen. I came here as Prime Minister but left as an unemployed man. It's fine that no one gives me job. I volunteered to work but they didn't want to give me job, so it's fine.

He departed for London where he has a home and was expected to reunite with his family who had fled Thailand for the United Kingdom.

At 15:35, junta leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin announced that the military had no plan to seize the personal assets of Premier Thaksin Shinawatra and no plans to seize shares of Shin Corporation back from Temasek Holdings. Early in 2006, Thaksin sold his family's shares in Shin Corporation to Temasek.

General Sonthi said on a television statement that at 20:17, King Bhumibol Adulyadej had endorsed him as the head of the interim governing council. He also claimed to restore democracy in a year's time.

Late in the evening of Wednesday, a spokesman of the Administrative Reform Council announced that His Majesty the King has issued a royal command to appoint Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin as the ARC president .

Contradicting earlier announcement the ARC issued a 13th statement maintaining the status of the newly selected Election Commission and adding that the EC ACT would organize election of local administrations and councils .

The Administrative Reform Council then issued its seventh order dividing responsibilities into four divisions as part of responsibility sharing. The four divisions are the ARC, the secretariat, the advisory division and special affairs division .

Thailand's political situation

Thailand's deposed government

Thaksin Shinawatra flew from New York City, where he was attending the United Nations General Assembly, to London on what was called a personal visit. His immediate family was also in London.

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya remained in Singapore where he was attending the annual meeting of the World Bank/IMF. Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak remained in Paris. Foreign Minister Kantathi Supamongkhon flew from Paris, where he was attending the Thai-France Cultural Exhibition presided over by HRH Princess Sirindhorn, to London.

Pol Col Priewphan Damapong, Deputy Police Commissioner-General and brother-in-law of Thaksin Shinawatra, reported himself to the national police chief in line with the junta's orders.

Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya, both of which had been in Thailand during the coup, were arrested by the junta.

Natural Resources and Environmental Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat and Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchop were ordered to report themselves to the junta by noon Thursday. The junta did not specify what punishment they would receive if they failed to report. It was speculated that Yongyuth and Newin were in London.

The military junta affirmed Wednesday that along with the abolition of the Constitution, the Constitutional Court and other independent organisations set up under the abrogated charter were automatically abolished. However, the status of Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka was maintained by an order of the junta. The same order dissolved the State Audit Commission. She appeared when summoned along with senior government officials by the junta.

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said Wednesday that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra could return to the country, but warned he could face criminal charges. "Any prosecution would proceed under the law, and would depend on the evidence," Sonthi said.

Composition of the military regime

The 11th official announcement of the military regime outlined its leadership. The junta formally called itself the Administrative Reform Council and consisted of the leaders of all branches of the Thai military and police.

• Army Commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, named Chief of the Administrative Reform Council
• Navy Commander Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanon, named first deputy chief of ARC
• Air Force Commander ACM Chalit Pookpasuk, named second deputy chief of ARC.
• Police Commissioner-General Pol Lt Gen Kowit Wattana, named third deputy chief of ARC.
• National Security Council Secretary-General Gen Winai Phatthiyakul, named Secretary-General of the ARC
• Supreme Commander General Ruangroj Mahasaranon, named Chief Adviser to the ARC

At 15:35 on 20 September 2006 (local time in Bangkok), the junta denied that it had appointed a Prime Minister, and noted that General Sonthi Boonyaratglin had the powers of a Premier.

Thailand's future government

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, leader of the Administrative Reform Council told foreign diplomats that a civilian government and prime minister would be appointed to run the country within two weeks. The constitution would be amended for a rapid return to democracy through a national election in a year's time.[11] This would imply that the October 2006 elections will not take place as scheduled.

Sonthi confirmed a previous statement saying that Thaksin and the members of his cabinet have done no wrong and can return to Thailand. Sonthi said Thailand was and still is a democracy and that tourists can continue to visit the country normally. The U.S. State Department has not issued a travel warning for Thailand.

Restrictions on human rights and freedom of expression

On the morning of Wednesday, 20 September, the websites of the leading Bangkok newspapers Bangkok Post, The Nation and Thai Rath were functioning normally and reporting the coup. (Both the Bangkok Post and The Nation have been strong critics of Thaksin's government.) The Daily News website included extensive photographic coverage of the military operations.

The coup leaders demanded the cooperation of Thai mass media and authorised the censorship of news reports that might be negative to the military. The military also banned any gathering of five or more people for political purposes, threatening violators with six months in jail. Later that day, the military cracked down on protestors, and arrested activist Chalard Worachat along with hunger striker and former MP Thawee Kraikup at Democracy Monument while they were protesting against the coup. The two and others had unfolded a banner reading "Fasting in Protest Against the Destroyer of Democracy"..

The anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy formally cancelled its scheduled rally for 20 September 2006.

As of 15:35, foreign news channels CNN, BBC, CNBC, NHK and Bloomberg remained blacked out by the sole cable operator, UBC. All Thai news programmes were also cancelled.

By 14.50 on 20 September, the 1997 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (the so-called "People's Constitution") was deleted from the website of the National Assembly of Thailand.

National Reactions

Note that military censorship has been imposed, and at this time the viewpoint of the public or the king is not truly known.

Media

In an editorial, Bangkok's English-language broadsheet, The Nation, gave qualified support to the coup. It described Thaksin as "a greedy politician who had pursued self interest at the expense of public good." Ideally, it said, "the likes of Thaksin should be rejected at the ballot box or through public pressure in the form of peaceful protests." In the circumstances, however, it said, the coup "may be a necessary evil." Nevertheless, the editorial said, "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." There must be an early return to democracy, it said.

Thanaphol Eiwsakul, editor of Fah Diew Kan magazine (which had been censored by the Thaksin government), urged the public to condemn and resist the army takeover by exercising their right to protest coups as guaranteed by Article 67 of the 1997 Constitution. He vowed to stage a protest on Thursday, 21 September 2006.

Public protests against the coup

Hunger striker Thawee Kraikup

Organised local opposition to the coup was muted, due to a military ban against protests. International protests against the coup were scattered, with a group of demonstrators protesting in front of the Thai Consulate in New York City.

Activist Chalard Worachat and former MP Thawee Kraikup held a protest against the junta at the Democracy Monument. Thawee held up a sign saying "Fasting in Protest Against the Destroyer of Democracy" Military forces arrived soon afterwards and arrested Chalard at 12.30. Thawee refused to stop his hunger strike and was arrested 3 hours later. Thawee actively resisted arrest.

A student group, the "News Center for Student Activities" also issued a statement condemning the coup, saying it was "anti-democratic and truly dictatorial". The group urged the Thai people to wear black to mourn the death of Thai democracy and to refrain from co-operating with the "military junta".

The vice president of the Thammasat University Student Union stated on 20 September that is holding talks with representatives of student unions from other universities in order to prepare a response. The Political Satire Group of Thammasat University erected a large sign at Rangsit Center protesting the coup.

Human rights groups

The Bangkok-based Asian Human Rights Commission was critical of the coup. "The Asian Human Rights Commission is gravely disturbed by this takeover of power. It has no place in Thailand at a time that parliamentary democracy, despite difficulties, was maturing and taking root." The Commission called on the military to appoint a caretaker civilian government swiftly and on the United Nations General Assembly to condemn the coup. New York-based Human Rights Watch was also critical of the coup. "Thaksin's rule had seriously eroded respect for human rights in Thailand, but suspending basic rights under the constitution is not the answer," said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch. "Thailand needs to solve its problems through the rule of law and the people exercising their right to choose their own leaders."

The Association for People's Rights was also critical of the coup. In a formal statement, it noted that the coup was destructive to the democratic system and would result in serious human rights infractions. The Association demanded that the junta respect human rights, involve public participation to draft a constitution that protected human rights at least as well as the abrogated 1997 Constitution, and hold speedy elections.

International reactions

Americas

• Canada - In a press release, Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter MacKay said, "Canada is deeply concerned by these developments. We urge a peaceful solution to this crisis in conformity with the country’s constitution. Thailand has made marked progress in terms of respect for human rights and the rule of law, and Canada urges all parties to continue to uphold these values."
• United States - The State Department announced that it was "monitoring the situation with concern." A spokesman said, "We look to the Thai people to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner and in accord with the principles of democracy and the rule of law." U.S. Ambassador to the UN John R. Bolton noted that "We have press reports and I think for now the important thing is to look for the sustaining of constitutional processes in Thailand."
• Costa Rica - Guillermo Zuniga Chaves, Costa Rica's Finance Minister, lamented that people think that "these types of ways [coups] can solve problems."

Asia

• Template:Country data flagcountry - Beijing brushed off Thailand's military coup as an internal affair and wished the country "harmony and prosperity". "It's Thailand's own internal affair. China has consistently upheld the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website.
• Template:Country data flagcountry - Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia expressed shock over the coup. He said he hoped the country would soon be ruled by a democratically elected government.
• Philippines - Several lawmakers and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have said that they are concerned about the coup in Thailand. In addition, they are confident that members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will not follow their Thai counterparts since they believe that renegade soldiers won't engage in gunfights with loyalist forces. President Arroyo is monitoring the situation from the UN headquarters in New York.
• Singapore - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Singapore hopes all parties involved will work towards a positive outcome." The ministry "hopes the situation there will return to normal as soon as possible."
• Hong Kong - Security secretary Ambrose Lee said on September 20 that Hong Kong residents in Thailand should take care of themselves, their property and their personal safety. The Security Bureau reminded Hong Kong residents going to Thailand should keep themselves abreast of the latest developments there and pay attention to personal safety, and the government would continue to closely monitor the situation.
• India - New Delhi issued a statement urging all Indian citizens in Thailand to contact the embassy in Bangkok. The foreign ministry condemns any act that hinders democracy and also hopes that there will be a smooth transition of power from the military to the representatives of the last election, which itself is mired in controversy.
• Japan - Japan's Foreign Minister said the military coup in Thailand was regrettable and urged efforts to quickly restore democracy.
• Template:Country data flagcountry - a Foreign Ministry spokesman said, "We hope Thailand will restore peace according to legal procedures."

Europe

• Europe - A spokesman for the President of the European Council and Prime Minister of Finland, Matti Vanhanen, noted his "grave concern" and added, "It is highly regrettable that democratic institutions seem to have been taken over by military force. Prime Minister Vanhanen emphasises the need to revert to democratic order without delay."
• Netherlands - Herman van Gelderen, spokesman for the Dutch Foreign Minister, said the minister was "very worried" but could not comment further for want of information.
• Sweden - Minister for Foreign Affairs and former President of the United Nations General Assembly Jan Eliasson stated, "I am very concerned about the information from Bangkok tonight that a military coup d'état has taken place. The situation is not yet clear, but it is imperative that political differences are resolved within the framework of the constitution, peacefully and in accordance with democratic principles and with respect for human rights. We are naturally following developments in Bangkok very closely".
• United Kingdom - Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett stated, "We are never happy about military attempts to overthrow a government, if that is what is happening. But we very much hope there will be peace and the situation will be resolved and that some peaceful way out of the problem will be determined."

Oceania

• Australia - Foreign Minister of Australia Alexander Downer stated, "We want to see a return to democratic rule. It’s of grave concern for us that the government has been overthrown in this way. There was an expectation in Thailand that there would be an election towards the end of this year and it is of concern to us that the military appear to have simply seized power." The Australian Labor Party's foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, noted that the coup "needs to be condemned and condemned unequivocally," adding that "The way to resolve these crises is through democratic and constitutional means. A coup d'etat is a direct assault on democracy itself. The region cannot stand idly by and leave such actions uncondemned."
• New Zealand - New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark condemned the coup, saying that New Zealand "condemns any process which seeks to overturn a government by unconstitutional and undemocratic means." She added that "New Zealand urges all political and military players to resolve their differences peacefully and to act in accordance with Thailand's constitution and democratic principles," and that she was "deeply disturbed" by reports from Thailand.

International

• Template:Country data flagcountry - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan told CNN, "I don't have the details but this is not a practice to be encouraged." He also said, "As the African Union, for example, has indicated, they do not support those who come to power through the barrel of a gun," and, "Over the past decade or so, they have established a solid democracy and institutions under the leadership of the King. I'm sure they will be able to restore that institution and go back to a democratic system as soon as possible."
• International Monetary Fund - IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato stated at the IMF's annual meeting in Singapore that, "We are following developments very closely and look forward for the evolution and benefit of democracy and stability in the country."

Effects in the financial markets

Emerging market stocks, bonds and currencies all fell on Tuesday, 19 September, after news came out about the apparent coup in Thailand. The baht declined by more than 1.3% against the US dollar on news of the coup, its largest daily decline against the US dollar since October 2003. During the US trading session on Tuesday Thai Fund Inc. (NYSE: TTF) fell by 3.8% after tumbling as much as 7.1% earlier, giving an indication how Thailand's stock market will react if and when it opens on Thursday morning. According to Bloomberg, military leaders ordered the stock exchange, banks and government departments closed on 20 September.

Credit ratings

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said that it would place its 'BBB+' longterm foreign, 'A' longterm local, 'A2' short term foreign, and 'A1' shortterm local currency sovereign credit ratings for Thailand CreditWatch, which reflected the possibility of sustained deterioration in national credit worthiness. A S&P analyst noted that "A fairly rapid return to civilian rule in accordance with the country's constitution and renewed commitment to macroeconomic stability and needed reform likely would lead to the affirmation of existing ratings."

Fitch Ratings put its sovereign credit ratings for Thailand on Rating Watch Negative, but noted that the coup might have a positive effect if it leads to a resolution of the country's longrunning political crisis.

Moody's Investors Service said that the coup was a political development, rather than a financial development. Thailand's credit rating would depend on the new government's economic policies.

Earlier coup rumours

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Headline from the Thai newspaper The Nation, 20 May 2006

The coup followed months of rumours about unrest in the armed forces and possible coup plots. In May 2006, General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin issued assurances that the military would not intervene after rumours began circulating of a possible military coup. On 20 July 2006, around a hundred middle-ranking army officers said to be supporters of Thaksin were reassigned by the army high command, fuelling rumours that the army was divided between supporters and opponents of the prime minister. In August 2006, there were reports of tank movements near Bangkok, but the military attributed these to a scheduled exercise. In early September, Thai police arrested five army officers, all members of Thailand's counterinsurgency command, after allegedly intercepting one of the officers with a bomb near the prime minister's residence.

External links

• Template:Th icon Coup declaration video from YouTube (original version)
• Template:Th icon / Template:En icon Coup declaration video from YouTube (including paraphrased English subtitles)
• Template:Th icon A Collection of Photos from the Royal Thai Navy's webboard