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2014 Thai coup d'état

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General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the leader of the coup.

On 22 May 2014, the Royal Thai Armed Forces, led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Commander of the Royal Thai Army (RTA), launched a coup d'état against the caretaker government of Thailand, following six months of political crisis. The military established a junta called National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) to govern the nation.

Background

Main article: 2013–14 Thai political crisis

In the 2011 general election, Yingluck Shinawatra and her Pheu Thai Party (PTP) obtained a landslide victory and formed the government with Yingluck as prime minister. The anti-government protests, led by Democrat Party Secretary General Suthep Thaugsuban, began in November 2013. Suthep later formed the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) for the purpose of demanding the establishment of an unelected "people's council" to supervise a "political reform". The pro-government groups, including the Red Shirts, held the mass rallies at the same time. Violence occasionally came to pass, resulting in a number of deaths and injuries.

In December 2013, Yingluck dissolved the House of Representatives and scheduled a general election for 2 February 2014. Disrupted by the anti-government protesters, the election could not be completed on that day. The Constitutional Court then revoked the election on 21 March 2014.[1] On 7 May 2014, the Constitutional Court unanimously removed Yingluck and some ministers from office in consequence of the controversial transfer of a top security officer in 2011.[2][3] The remaining ministers selected Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan to replace Yingluck as caretaker prime minister.[4] However, the protests continued.

Pre-coup

Martial law imposition

The RTA intervened on 20 May 2014, when its commander General Prayuth imposed martial law nationwide as from 03:00 hours (local time). He said through a television pool that the martial law imposition was due to continuous violence from various sides and was for the purpose of allowing the army to maintain and restore peace in a more effective manner.[5][6]

After imposing martial law, General Prayuth ordered the dissolution of the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order, a police body formed by the caretaker government to resolve the crisis. He then established a Peace-Keeping Command Centre (PKCC) with himself as its commander. Charged with the duty to "restore peace to the people from all sides without delay", the PKCC is initially given the power to "prevent, suppress, abate and resolve" any situation affecting national security, to enforce every provision of the martial law and to summon any person. General Prayuth also ordered the personnel of the police, navy, air force and Ministry of Defence to be subject to the PKCC.[7][8]

In Bangkok, the military officers were stationed everywhere[9] and the main roads were blocked.[10] The officers retook the Government House from the PDRC protesters.[11] The officers also seized all televisions stations in Bangkok and some other parts of the country[12][13] before shutting down some stations, including those of the PDRC and the Red Shirts.[14] General Prayuth later ordered all media to replace their regular programs with the POMC programs whenever he requires[15] and imposed a ban on publishing information which may affect the military's missions.[16] He also directed all government agency chiefs to report to him.[17]

On 21 May 2014, the POMC established an Internet censorship task force and ordered the Internet service providers to report to it in order to control the online contents.[18]

The caretaker government stated that it had never been consulted about the martial law related decisions of the army, whilst the army confirmed that the move was not a coup d'état and the government remained in office.[19]

Unsuccessful talks

After its establishment, the POMC held talks with the rival groups for two days in attempt to find any resolution on the situations. It was reported that the participants were of conflicting opinions and no agreement could be adopted.[20] Moreover, during a talk, the caretaker government was requested by the Election Commission to resign.[21] But the government denied the request, saying it was required by the constitution to stay in office.[22] The 2007 constitution prescribes that the cabinet vacates office en bloc upon dissolution of the House of Representatives but it shall remain in office and continue to function until a new cabinet takes office.[23]

In the afternoon of 22 May 2014, the POMC held another talk at the Thai Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, but it was also of no avail. General Prayuth then cancelled it and ordered the arrest of the cabinet members as well as the leaders of the PDRC, Red Shirts and political parties who attended the talk, much to the dismay of the media representatives who were also present.[20] The arrestees are detained at the First Infantry Regiment of the King's Guards.[24]

Coup

In the evening of 22 May 2014, General Prayuth announced through a televised address that the armed forces was assuming the national administration,[25] formally launching a coup d'état against the caretaker government and establishing the NPOMC to rule the state.[20]

Former Caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong, who did not attend the talk, left his office at the Ministry of Commerce before the military officers could arrest him.[22][26] The NPOMC then ordered him and the unarrested cabinet members to report to it within that day.[27] It was reported that Niwatthamrong attempted to establish a government-in-exile at the United States embassy in Bangkok, but the embassy denied the report.[28]

Later that night, the NPOMC ordered the "provisional suspension" of the 2007 constitution, save the second chapter which deals with the king. In addition, it formally ordered the dissolution of the caretaker government, whilst the Senate as well as all other state agencies, including the courts and the independent organs, remain operative.[29] The NPOMC also announced its own composition:[30]

  • General Prayuth (RTA Commander) as its leader,
  • General Thanasak Patimaprakorn (Chief of Defence Forces), Admiral Narong Pipathanasai (Royal Thai Navy Commander), Air Chief Marshal Prajin Jantong (Royal Thai Air Force Commander), and Police General Adul Saengsingkaew (Royal Thai Police Commissioner General), as its deputy leaders,
  • General Udomdet Sitabut (RTA Deputy Commander) as its secretary general.

The NPOMC then announced that its leader will exercise all powers and duties which the laws invest in the prime minister and the cabinet, until there is a prime minister.[31][32]

Furthermore, the NPOMC ordered all television and radio stations to stop airing their own regular programs and to broadcast the RTA programs only.[33] It imposed a curfew throughout the country, ordering the people to stay indoors from 22:00 to 05:00 hours.[34] It laid down a ban on political gatherings and directed all protesters to disperse.[30] It also ordered all educational institutes, both public and private, to close from 23 to 25 May 2014.[35]

On that night, the military officers arrested some politicians and media agency chiefs, including Chalerm Yubamrung and Thai Public Broadcasting Service Deputy Director Wanchai Tantiwittayapitak.[36][37]

On 23 May 2014, the NPOMC ordered Yingluck and some PTP members to report to it at the RTA Hall.[38]

Response

Domestic reactions

Immediately after the coup was announced, the PDRC protesters who were at their sites expressed their applause for the action.[39] Phra Buddha Issara, a Buddhist monk who is a PDRC co-leader, went on a stage and proclaim the victory of the anti-government protesters before requesting his protesters to go home.[40]

Some of the pro-government protesters dispersed at the behest of the military, whilst the others refused to leave.[39]

International reactions

Supranational
  •  EU – The European External Action Service called for the military to accept and respect the constitutional authority of the civilian power and stressed in regards with the legitimate democratic process "the importance of holding credible and inclusive elections as soon as feasible".[41]
States
  •  France – President François Hollande condemned the coup and called for "an immediate return to the constitutional order and for a vote to be organised".[42]
  •  USA – Secretary of State John Kerry strongly condemned the coup and said that "this act will have negative implications for the U.S.–Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military". [43]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Constitutional Court nullifies Feb 2 election". The Nation. 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  2. ^ "Yingluck, 9 ministers removed from office". Bangkokpost. 7 may 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "อวสาน "ยิ่งลักษณ์"พ่วง รมต. ! "ศาล รธน.ฟันสิ้นสุดความเป็นรมต.ย้าย "ถวิล" มิชอบใช้อำนาจเอื้อ "เพรียวพันธ์"" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-07. Retrieved 2014-05-07. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Yingluck removed, Niwatthamrong acting PM". Bangkok Post. 2014-05-07. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  5. ^ "ผบ.ทบ. ลงนามประกาศกฎอัยการศึกทั่วประเทศ มีผลวันนี้ 03.00 น." (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Thailand's army declares martial law, says not a coup". CNBC. 2014-05-19. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  7. ^ "Orders 1, 2: Army takes over Capo". Bangkokpost. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  8. ^ "กองทัพบกประกาศยุบ ศอ.รส. ตั้ง กอ.รส. ดูแลความสงบ "ประยุทธ์" คุมเอง" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "เอพีเผย ยอดเซลฟีกับสถานการ์ณประกาศกฎอัยการศึกในกรุงเทพฯ พุ่ง" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
  10. ^ "เช็คเส้นทางรอบกรุงวันประกาศกฏอัยการศึก" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "ทหารเข้าคุมทำเนียบฯ ห้าม กปปส. ใช้สถานที่" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "ทหารพรึ่บคุมสื่อ" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "ทหารคุมทีวีช่อง 11 เชียงใหม่" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "กอ.รส. ออกคำสั่งที่ 6 ระงับทีวีดาวเทียม 11 ช่องออนแอร์" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "กอ.รส. ออกคำสั่งที่ 1" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "กอ.รส. ออกคำสั่งที่ 3 ห้ามสื่อข่าวกระทบการรักษาความสงบ" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "กอ.รส. เชิญหัวหน้าส่วนราชการและผู้บริหารสื่อเข้าพบเพื่อชี้แจงสถานการณ์ที่สโมสรกองทัพบก" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "กอ.รส. ตั้งคณะทำงานคุมสื่อออนไลน์" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-21. Retrieved 2014-05-21. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Thailand army declares martial law". BBC. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
  20. ^ a b c "'ประยุทธ์-เหล่าทัพ'แถลง'ควบคุมอำนาจรัฐ'" (in Thai). Komchadluek. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Thai military says it's taken over the country in a coup". CNN. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  22. ^ a b "นิวัฒน์ธำรงเผ่นก่อนถูกยึดอำนาจ" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Council of State of Thailand (2007). "Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2007 (section 181)". Asian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2014-22-005. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  24. ^ "ผบ.ทบ. แถลงยึดอำนาจ" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Military 'takes control' in Thailand". BBC. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  26. ^ "นิวัฒน์ธำรงล่องหนหลัง คสช. ประกาศยึดอำนาจ" (in Thai). Dailynews. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "คสช. สั่ง 18 อดีต รมต. รักษาการรายงานตัว" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "ทูตสหรัฐฯ ยันข่าวลือนิวัฒน์ธำรงตั้งรัฐบาลพลัดถิ่น" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "คสช. ประกาศสิ้นสุด รธน. คงอำนาจ สว" (in Thai). Post Today. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ a b "คสช. ตั้งบิ๊กตู่หัวหน้าคณะ ให้ รธน. สิ้นสุดชั่วคราว ครม. หมดอายุ วุฒิฯ-องค์กรอิสระยังอยู่" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "คสช. สั่งผู้ประกอบการสื่อสังคมออนไลน์ระงับส่งข้อความยั่วยุ" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "Coup leader to act as PM pending new premier appointment". The Nation. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  33. ^ "แถลงฉบับ 4 ให้สถานีวิทยุ-โทรทัศน์ถ่ายทอดรายการจากโทรทัศน์กองทัพบก" (in Thai). Thai Rath. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "คสช. ประกาศกฎอัยการศึกทั่วราชอาณาจักร-เคอร์ฟิวห้ามออกนอกบ้าน 4 ทุ่มถึงตี 5" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "Schools out Friday to Sunday". Bangkok Post. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  36. ^ ""ไทยพีบีเอส" ยุติออกอากาศออนไลน์ - ทหารคุมตัว "วันชัย ตัน" รอง ผอ. ออกจากห้องออกอากาศ" (in Thai). Khao Sod. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ "Chalerm arrested, report". The Nation. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  38. ^ "คสช. สั่งสาวกแม้วรายงานตัวเพิ่ม ปู - เจ๊แดง - สมชาย โดนด้วย" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-23. Retrieved 2014-05-23. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ a b "กปปส. เฮเสียงนกหวีดลั่น-แกนนำอุบเงียบรอ "สุเทพ"-ทหารคุมตัว "เหวง" ให้ม็อบ นปช. กลับบ้าน" (in Thai). Manager. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "All protesters dispersed by soldiers; PDRC jubilant". The Nation. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  41. ^ "EEAS on Thai coup" (PDF). EEAS. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  42. ^ "Hollande condemns Thai coup, calls for elections". The Nation. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  43. ^ "US Department of State on Thai coup". US Department of State. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-22.

External links

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