Two days after declaring martial law and failing to mediate between rival political forces, the Royal Thai Army has launched a coup in Thailand, suspended the 2007 Constitution (except provisions on the monarchy), seized control of major media stations, and imposed a night time curfew. This is Thailand’s 12th coup; but more than 20 if we include the unsuccessful coup attempts in the past century.
The army said the coup is necessary to restore peace and security in the country after several months of bitter and sometimes violent political conflicts between opposition forces and government supporters.
According to initial reports, the army detained key opposition figures, some Cabinet members, and protest leaders. The rest of the Cabinet are ordered to report to the army at the soonest time possible. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of the caretaker Prime Minister is not known. There is also no news (as of this writing) about the location of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
News channels have ceased operations in the evening and public gatherings of more than 5 people are now banned across the country.
Read more: globalvoicesonline.org
Written by Mong Palatino
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