[RadcliffXX]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060919/ts_nm/thailand_dc

Thai PM calls state of emergency 16 minutes ago



BANGKOK (Reuters) - Tanks surrounded Thailand's Government House on Tuesday and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in Bangkok amid signs of the first attempted coup in the southeast Asian nation in 15 years.

"I declare Bangkok under a severe state of emergency," Thaksin said in a voice broadcast on Thai television.

Thaksin, in New York at a United Nations summit, ordered troops not to "move illegally," and told armed forces chiefs to report to acting Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya.

At least 20 soldiers entered the Government House building, according to reporters inside.

Army television broadcast images of the royal family and songs associated in the past with military coups.

Government officials said Thaksin, in the middle of a political crisis fomented by a street campaign against him, planned to return from New York early on Thursday, a day earlier than originally scheduled.

Even though Thailand's last military coup was 15 years ago, speculation about military intervention has been rife, with motorists calling traffic radio stations last week after tanks were spotted rolling down streets of the capital.

That proved to be a false alarm, with the army saying it was merely soldiers returning from exercises.

A general election scheduled for October was postponed last week, probably until November. So far they say the Tanks in front of Parliament, the Palace and Itv station are pro-thaksin guys launching an anti-coup amidst coup rumours.

I hope all our forum pals and thai kendoka are all safe and will stay safe through the strife.

[GSgCGxsF]

Oh those those wacky Thais....always planning a coup or a takeover or a perge or something or other...

..Good Chicken though.

[WapSaibian]

That proved to be a false alarm, with the army saying it was merely soldiers returning from exercises. When the tanks are not on tractor-trailers, the intention is to use them. Tanks in the streets are never soldiers returning from an exercise. Send lawyers, guns and money...

[Domovoy]

holy sh*t! hey, can we do that in U.S. too? i know a certain administration i'd like to coup. hope it ends without civilian casualties.

[allmyflights]

Thai commander takes over after coup By GRANT PECK, Associated Press Writer
5 minutes ago



BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's army commmander ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a military coup Tuesday night while the prime minister was in New York, circling his offices with tanks, declaring martial law and revoking the constitution.

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An announcement on national television signed by army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin ordered all troops to report to their duty stations.

As soldiers and armored vehicles moved through Bangkok, an announcement from the military earlier declared a provisional authority loyal to beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The announcement declared that a "Council of Administrative Reform" had seized power in Bangkok and nearby provinces without any resistance. It recognized the king as head of state. It's official, they aren't his supporters at the previous locations. They've ousted him...not that I'm surprised. Hopefully, it will continue to be non-violent.

[Vodonaeva]

Nochi-No-Tsuki wrote:
holy sh*t! hey, can we do that in U.S. too? i know a certain administration i'd like to coup. hope it ends without civilian casualties.






Careful now.....
*They* are watching....

[Cofeeman]

Thaksin is one unscrupulous PM/businessman. There are talks about a curfew being set.

Thanksin oust oust!

[ViagraPriceBuying]

When the tanks are not on tractor-trailers, the intention is to use them. Tanks in the streets are never soldiers returning from an exercise. Send lawyers, guns and money...

Yes, we can let the lawyers lie down in front of the tanks to stop them with lawsuits enough to drive anyone away.

When a government uses its military against its own citizens, it ceases to be a government and becomes a gang.

I hope that this coup is bloodless, but that's probably wishful thinking.