Information about the political situation in Thailand
Latest Update : Monday October 2nd
BANGKOK: -- Thailand's military rulers announced a stop-gap prime minister and constitution on Sunday, fulfilling a promise to step back in favor of civilians within two weeks of their coup against Thaksin Shinawatra.
Shortly after television stations announced the interim constitution, army chief and coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin confirmed that Surayud Chulanont, a retired general, would be prime minister under a gradual plan to restore democracy.
"I went to his house and spent half an hour convincing him to take the job while the country is in crisis. He has agreed to take it," General Sonthi told reporters at a news conference.
Gen. Surayud Chulanont was sworn in this afternoon.
Under the new charter endorsed by revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 63-year-old Surayud will take charge to keep the economy ticking over while a panel of eminent Thais draws up a new long-term constitution.
According to the generals' "democracy roadmap," this should take about nine months, at the end of which there will be a referendum and national elections.
Although a career military man, Surayud -- until now a senior royal adviser -- has a reputation as a reformer who recognized the need to keep soldiers out of politics.
In other signs of the situation stabilizing, the tanks that have stood outside Government House since the September 19 putsch rolled back to the barracks and the coup leaders released four of Thaksin's most powerful ministers from army custody.
Profile:
Surayud Chulanont
At 62, Surayud Chulanont is an army veteran, and one of the few senior Thai figures who is respected by military and civilian leaders alike.
By choosing him as the country's new prime minister, Thailand's military generals also hope he will quieten fears from the international community, who see the former army chief as a safe pair of hands.
They also hope his positive standing, both at home and abroad, will allay fears that the military is choosing one of its own to be the country's leader.
They had promised to install a civilian prime minister as soon as possible after the 19 September coup.
After a military career spanning nearly 40 years, Gen Surayud is seen as both a skilful soldier and a tactful leader.
He has also gained a reputation for being incorruptible - an important trait given the accusations of graft levelled at his predecessor, the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
He fought Thai communist insurgents in the 1960s, and later fended off incursions from Burmese troops and ethnic Wa guerrillas.
He expressed his displeasure at the May 1992 uprising, in which many civilians were killed, and campaigned tirelessly for a more modern, accountable army.
Becoming a commander in 1997, he again prioritised the fight against corruption and rights violations - and was seen as a friend to Burmese refugees for the part he played in allowing them to seek refuge in Thailand.
In the late 1990s, Gen Surayud clashed with Mr Thaksin, who wanted to increase business ties with the Burmese military leaders. He was sidelined to the post of supreme commander, a ceremonial rather than influential position.
After leaving the army in 2003, the devout Buddhist spent time as a monk, before being appointed to the Privy Council and becoming a senior adviser to the king.
Thursday September 21st
Dear Friends,
In light of yesterdays’ coup d’etat in Bangkok, members of the travel industry have expressed some concern about the safety of traveling to Thailand in the immediate future. First I’d like to assure you that while some people typically associate a coup with a violent action, this takeover has been non-violent and no blood has been shed. This is expected to remain the case until a new government has been put in place.
In an attempt to keep you updated on the situation in Thailand, and to re-assure you that there is no need to cancel any immediate or long term travel plans to Thailand, we like to give you the following information, released from various sources throughout Thailand:
BANGKOK, September 20, 2006 — Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) members in Thailand are keen to reassure the global travel trade that the coup d'etat currently underway in the country has so far been non-violent, and that travel and tourism facilities and services are currently operating normally.
PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong wrote to Thailand-based PATA members this morning: "Even before this political crisis in Thailand comes to a resolution, we at PATA feel that it is important to send a clear message to the global travel industry that, so far at least, the situation here is calm and non-violent."
CB Richard Ellis EVP-Corporate Planning Mr Jeffrey Leong wrote: "There was some apprehension among guests last night after news reports and talks of road closures in Bangkok. However, last night's peaceful coup was a relief, and there is a sense of heightened awareness this morning and an expectation that the transition will remain peaceful in the days ahead."
He added: "News coverage, headlines and pictures of tanks and military personnel are not representative of the main parts of Bangkok. Bangkok-based Grand Diamond Suites Hotel General Manager Mr Chetsada Techprasertporn wrote: "All our guests are comfortable and continue to enjoy their shopping and sightseeing." He was keen to reassure the global travel trade that "nothing untoward has happened, especially to tourists visiting Thailand".
"Everyone is remaining very calm and most guests, both local and overseas, understand very well the political background of current events."
Thai Airways International has announced that it will maintain normal operations for both domestic and international flights.
eTN Special Eye Witness Report from Bangkok
Firstly let me assure you that everything is peaceful and calm. Military Coups have been a part of political life in Thailand for many years; there have been almost 40 since the end of the Second World War in Thailand we take them in our stride recognising them to be part of a process to bring about change. Unfortunately the word "Coup" or "Coup D'Etat" often means a violent transition of power; I am pleased to report that this is not the case in Thailand.
The Military have declared today a National Holiday and have publicly announced that they have no intention of keeping power; they will hand over this responsibility at the earliest opportunity. The overall atmosphere is akin to a bank holiday weekend. There have been no reports of looting or rioting, and I think that this is unlikely.
The PM is still overseas and his family is in Singapore. It is unlikely he will be allowed to return to Thailand for the foreseeable future, although that is my personal assumption and not supported by actual events yet. The rest of the cabinet all scattered. Many overseas, so they are unlikely to be able to mount any counter action. Parliament and the Senate have all been suspended. The stock market will resume trading tomorrow.
What is likely to happen next is that the Military appointed Prime Minister will form an interim cabinet and run the country until General Elections can take place, which is likely to be November /December 2006.
And for visitors to Thailand---what might they expect to see? Well---very little actually, there maybe an increased military presence in some key areas in Bangkok, for instance around the parliament buildings and the Palace, but very little else. Tourists will still be on the beach, visiting temples and tourist attractions, playing golf, eating and drinking as normal. It is considered unlikely that a curfew will be imposed as the military are keen to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
It is my best guess that we will be back to almost ‘business as normal' in a matter of weeks.
Yours sincerely
Andrew J Wood
General Manager
& Skål Int'l Councillor-Thailand
Land Operator Report
Today has been announced as a special government holiday in Thailand, all government offices and banks as well as the Stock Exchange of Thailand are closed but the private sectors including shopping malls, markets all restaurants are opened as usual.
All flights to/from/within Thailand operate normal and transfers are organized as usual.
Everything is calm in the streets of Bangkok and even the Grand Palace is open. On a few intersections some army personnel may be seen. All tours outside of Bangkok such as floating market, Ayuthaya and Kanchanaburi as well as all round trips are conducted normal without any restrictions.
Tourists and residents had not been in any danger at any time. All staff of Asian Trails in Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Samui and Khao Lak are working normally and make sure that there is not shortcoming of service in this situation.
There is absolutely no reason to cancel/postpone any trip to Thailand at this stage.
With kind regards,
Asian Trails Ltd.
We will keep you updated about the situation on a regular basis.
