Army declares martial law
The military declared martial law at 3 a.m. (Thai time) tonight, but it insists "this is not a military coup." "The population does not have to panic, but can still function as normal."
The announcement on army TV channel 5 does not come as a complete surprise, because the possibility had been suggested before (see: Martial law is an option, but so is a state of emergency, May 16). The measure was taken because the ongoing mass rallies of political rivals "may have consequences for the security of the country, the safety of lives and public property."
Thousands of soldiers have taken up positions in various private TV stations in the capital. All radio, television, satellite and cable stations are required to interrupt their normal programming when requested to do so. They must then transmit the army channel signal and the radio must broadcast the military's announcements.
Furthermore, troops are stationed at some key intersections in Bangkok. Residents on their way to work took the opportunity to take a 'selfie'. Some posed with soldiers, who, according to the newspaper, allowed themselves to be photographed 'amiably'.
The commentary at the end speaks of 'battles' last week. This is not correct: in two places anti-government demonstrators have been fired upon and grenades have been fired. Three people were killed and 3 people were injured.
The anti-government movement (PDRC) and the UDD (Red Shirts) have been ordered not to leave their current rally locations "to prevent," the army statement said, "from fighting between the two and the authorities in the opportunity to return the situation to normal as soon as possible'.
So the PDRC has to stay on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the government complex on Chaeng Watthana Road and the UDD on Utthayan Road in western Bangkok. The PDRC has canceled the street rally scheduled for today. UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan has called on his members to cooperate with the army. The rally on the Utthayan road continues. Soldiers were sent to the red shirt rally last night.
Army Commander Prayuth Chan-ocha has disbanded the Capo, the body responsible for enforcing the Special Emergency Act (Internal Security Act) in place in Bangkok and parts of neighboring provinces. Martial law puts the military in charge of security, but unlike a coup, the government remains responsible for everything else.
Riot police kept back by the Capo at the Police Club compound on Vibhavadi-Rangsit road have been sent home. It was made up of officers from 55 units in Bangkok and other provinces and border police officers.
Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist and military affairs analyst at Chulalongkorn University, believes Prayuth disbanded the Capo without warning the government. The government and police are represented in the Capo.
Panitan believes Prayuth is trying to prevent confrontations between the protest movement (PDRC) and elements of the pro-government groups. The latter have threatened to fight back if Suthep's group captures ministers.
Since the anti-government protest began in late October, 25 people have been killed and more than 700 injured.
(Source: Website bangkok mail, May 20, 2014)
See also: Opinion: 'The nineteenth coup in Thailand is a fact'
It is currently wiser for every Dutch person living (or staying) in Thailand to refrain from commenting on the current situation and on what is yet to come.
Displaying the news is of course important, but perhaps the editors of this blog can turn off the possibility of comments because comments MAY have personal consequences.
Dear Chris, we moderate. In addition, everyone should use their own mind.
You are absolutely right, dear Chris. The military has announced that anyone sharing information on social media that is "harmful to the peace" (Newspeak for criticizing the military) could be arrested. Poor Thailand. I was already gloomy, don't ask me how I feel now...
I'm not so gloomy. Last year I gave a lecture to doctors and nurses in a private hospital in Bangkok. The title read: be happy with a crisis in your life. It gives you the chance to approach things completely differently from that point on. I would say: be happy with a crisis in Thailand. Have the courage to do things completely differently. Otherwise we will be in trouble again before too long….
Chris, with your proposed measure you completely ignore the fact that there are also people living outside Thailand who may want to give their opinion on the situation. By turning off the reaction option, close the door for them too. So I don't think it's a good idea. Responding is a personal choice. If you are afraid of repercussions, you do not respond or respond anonymously.
So as a non Dutchman I am not covered?. I think we're all old enough, out of puberty, and don't need a babysitter telling us what's right and what not to do. Those who can use their common sense know that in other countries you must at all times stay out of religion and political views - with or without a military coup or intervention.
Moderator: please don't chat.
Freedom of expression is a great good dear Chris and everyone should be considered wise enough not to use offensive or inflammatory comments.
Breaking News: Ten satellite TV stations and unregistered local radio stations have been shut down by the military. One is Democratic Party-owned Bluesky, which broadcast action leader Suthep's speeches in full. Two other well-known ones are ASTV and Asia Update.
These are the stations (source: Twitter):
1.MV 5
2. DNN
3. UDD
4.Asia Update
5. P&P
6. 4Channel
7.Blue Sky
8. FMTV
9.T News
10.ASTV
Breaking News The US hopes martial law is a temporary measure and does not undermine democracy. This has been stated by spokesman Jan Psaki of the US State Department. The Americans call on all parties to respect democratic principles including freedom of expression.
Japan, Thailand's largest foreign investor, is 'seriously concerned'. Chief of Cabinet Yoshihide Suga strongly urges all parties to show restraint and refrain from violence.
Breaking News Somsak Jeamteerasakul, lecturer at Thammasat University, questions the declaration of martial law. He points out that the Martial Law Act stipulates that there must be a war or riot. "There is no question of that now, so that law should not have been used, and certainly not applicable to the entire country." Somsak calls on acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan to submit a dissolution decree to the king.
This academic will be quite a good man, but he does not understand how things are arranged in Thailand (behind the scenes).
Apparently this Somsak has not seen TV for months, does not read newspapers, etc. ?. If it is not riots, what do you call those blockades of entire streets, intersections, etc. where people regularly die? An afternoon tea visit or a nice get-together?. It really is from another world.
A coup light. It was time to avoid further bloodshed.
Now to the elections and democracy is being restored in a way that is best described as 'they drank a glass, took a pee and everything stayed as it was'.
This Friday me and my father would arrive in Bangkok for a week's holiday. We are in Bangkok for two days, then we move on. Is it still safe to go?
dear Jesse…
It is certainly safe in Bangkok. Perhaps safer NOW than without the intervention of the army. There were large demonstrations of two warring camps on the program next week. They have now been called off due to martial law because anyone who causes unrest can be immediately and unceremoniously arrested.
That was possible in the past, but it was not used. Even better: you could act freely on TV as a wanted arrestee, walk freely through Bangkok like a super-star and incite the Thai masses. What's new?
Demonstrating does not have to be the same as causing trouble, dear Chris, but it is wise that the parties have called it off.
It only takes a few hotheads or rioters, possibly resulting in deaths and injuries, perhaps also arson and looting, and the army will undoubtedly do more than just act softly, a not inconceivable scenario.
For the time being it produces nice pictures like the last one in 2006, the social media are now filled with photos and 'selfies' made by Thai as well as farang/tourists. 🙂
Similar question to Jessie Hessling.
My girlfriend and I fly to Bangkok on Thursday and plan to travel almost immediately (1 night airport hotel) from there to Chiang Mai.
Is Thailand generally safe enough to travel around right now?
@Chris, from your response I gather that this state of siege has little effect on tourists. Is my opinion correct?
@ Danny van Rijt Read the travel advice from the embassy: https://www.thailandblog.nl/nieuws/nederlandse-ambassade-blijf-waakzaam-bangkok/
Dear Dick,
Thanks for your quick response!
I concur with previous comments. It will only become safer for tourists. More traffic and delays. For example, you must check in at Suvarnabhumi airport at least three hours in advance.
Dear Danny,
Martial law has been declared to end the increasingly violent (in actual bombings and shootings as well as words and threats) standoff between two rival political camps. A 'decisive battle' was scheduled for the coming week, and for that purpose both sides had already set up camps more to the west of Bangkok with about 20 kilometers in between (where I also live, so I live on the potential battlefield ). The army wants to prevent the matter from escalating and has therefore taken responsibility for the safety of Thai citizens in the country (because there are sometimes skirmishes in the rest of the country and people are killed and injured; in addition, the police see little chance of tracking down the perpetrators of the attacks) and has taken off the air all TV and radio channels that incite its own fans. Anyone who misbehaves now can be arrested without mercy by the army and that will – I firmly expect – also happen when necessary without regard to persons. Release on bail (as is now very often the case with lawbreakers) is not an option then.
As long as you, as a tourist, keep away from political opinions or opinions about martial law, I expect there will be little going on other than some inconveniences in transport and extra security checks.
Enjoy this country. It's beautiful here!!
Dear Danny and Friend,
I myself stay in Ban Hun, this is a town 20 km away. from Ban Phai. I have Friends in Chang Rai, and they are not worried about the coup, in fact they don't notice it.
Truckloads of weapons and grenade launchers have been smuggled into the city in recent months. Last night, the police came across a load of automatic weapons in the trunk of a Peua Thai official. Photos appear on FB of gigantic storage rooms full of grenades and grenade launchers. Those who deplore the military's intervention must realize that the alternative would have been either large-scale attacks or even civil war.
More reading plus background that takes us back to the 90s. Draw your own conclusion…
http://altthainews.blogspot.com/2014/05/thailand-military-move-is-not-coup.html?spref=fb
Altthainews! Do you know who this Tony Cartalucci is? I'm so curious about that! The man develops wonderful theories!
'Army intervention as a good alternative to large-scale attacks or civil war'. I know of another alternative and that alternative is simply called 'elections'. What is wrong with that?
The military intervention will not solve anything, on the contrary, as the whole of Thai history has proven.
Moderator: please don't chat
Those elections are already scheduled, Tino. The army just wants to rest in the tent before they are written out.
If we all think for a moment and count to 10 before we put something on Social Media, the world will look a lot happier and calmer. Still, I express the wish to everyone PLEASE be careful.
Breaking News Army Commander Prayuth Chan-ocha today called on protesters to go home. He further said that he absolutely will not tolerate further bloodshed in the ongoing political conflict.
Prayuth once again defended the declaration of martial law. Necessary for national security, he said, and to end violence, which has claimed 28 lives and injured more than 700 people (mostly from shelling and shelling) since anti-government protests began .
Prayuth cannot say how long martial law will remain in effect. 'That depends on the situation. It will be lifted as soon as the situation has improved. Our intention is to move the country forward. We hope that all government officials and members of the public sector will cooperate so that problems can be resolved quickly. All we want is a safe country in peace.'
Freedom of expression according to Dutch standards is not the same as freedom of expression according to Thai standards. Insulting or inciting are not the same either. Anyone can respond to me, but it can also have consequences for people outside Thailand who sometimes or regularly come to Thailand. A warned person hopefully counts for two.
I have just read a piece "one coup after another" about the "coup" on the website of "De Volkskrant", there are many mistakes in it, luckily I am kept better informed on this website, thank you for this.
I am already 17 years old as a single parent living here in the no of Thailand,
I have never been afraid of negative consequences.
More importantly, the Thai baht has weakened, and the World Cup is approaching.
I still enjoy living here in the land of eternal smiles:
I wrote it a few months ago.
It ends again with a coup.
I'm not a know-it-all, but over the years not much has changed here on a political level
If two dogs fight over a bone, many can fill in the rest themselves.
History repeats itself , and so does Thailand .
Time after time .
Breaking News: Suthep ignores army order
Action Leader Suthep Thaugsuban disregards Army Commander Prayuth Chan-ocha's order to stay at the PDRC site. On Tuesday night, he said the PDRC is sticking to its protest schedule.
A march is planned on Friday from Ratchadamnoen Avenue, where the PDRC is camped, to Sukhumvit Road and to other locations over the weekend. The PDRC will proclaim the 'victory of the people' on Monday.
Suthep praised Prayuth's decision to declare martial law and asked his supporters to give moral support to the army.
Breaking News: Red shirts want to talk to Suthep
UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan (red shirts) is willing to talk to action leader Suthep Thaugsuban, if led by army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha and if such a conversation is based on democratic principles.
“Me and my group have no personal conflict with Suthep or anyone else in it amar (elite) network. All problems are not about personal matters. They are about different ideologies and democratic idealism," said Jatuporn.
Jatuporn maintains that general elections are the only acceptable solution to ending the political conflict. He proposes holding a referendum asking the population whether they want political reform before the elections (a wish of the anti-government movement) or after. "Suthep is not ready for the election because he knows he will lose."
Important to me, what do the 'connoisseurs' think; will the demonstrations etc. be limited to Bangkok, or is there a chance that the unrest will spread to the rest of the country? Can I remember that it was also restless in Chiang Mai four years ago?