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Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Thailand Returns to a Constitutional Monarchy Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, was in New York preparing to address the United Nations when he heard, over the television in his hotel room, that he was no longer Thailand's Prime Minister. As soon as he heard about the coup he called the Thai television station and issued a statement, declared a state of emergency and he then declared that Lt.-Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin was fired as the head of the Thai military -- but it was too late for that. By that time, General Boonyaratglin, who is said to be loyal to Thailand's King, had declared martial law. According to the General and the other coup leaders, the Thailand government is now under the control of a "Council of Administrative Reform," with 78-year old King Bhumibol Adulyadej acting as head of state. Latest word is that the Council has promised to install a new Prime Minister within two weeks. Note that the installation of a new Prime Minister will not be the result of an election by the Thai citizenry. As for the former Prime Minister, he is getting ready to leave the United States for an unknown destination. Prime Minister Shinawatra was first elected by the people of Thailand in 2001. Up until the last year he was a fairly popular leader and was especially popular with the poorest segment of Thai society. During his term in office Shinawatra has presided over the most stable democracy Thailand has ever known but his tendency to help the poor, along with the charges that he has profited from officially sanctioned government corruption has upset many of Bangkok's power brokers and has, apparently, disturbed the King -- who one would have to suppose, was the architect of Tuesday's coup. If there is any irony in the situation it is that General Boonyaratglin, who is at least nominally in charge of the government now, is a Muslim who was specifically named head of the military because it was felt that he could control Thailand's largest problem, the rising Muslim insurgency in the south. Since 2004, there have been over 1,700 deaths in Thailand connected to a growing Muslim insurgency. The majority of the Thai population are Buddhists. That irony of a Muslim in charge of a Buddhist country, one in the midst of a Muslim insurgency, may also be a cause for concern, but it is a concern that has not yet found a voice. News Links: Thailand's king give blessing to coup Strife in the south takes a national toll Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by Whymrhymer at 9:46 AM |
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