Military Coup

[Oberon]

Just in:

A military coup has taken place in Thailand whilst Prime Minister Thaksin is at the UN in New York.
More details at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5361008.stm

[Immacolata]

Seems that they claim it is merely dethroning the PM and holding new elections. I surely hope that is correct.

[Oberon]

Indeed...and that the two rival loyalist elements of the army don't turn this coup into a civil war. I can't see the King letting it get that far though.

[STEED]

Watch and wait situation. :hmm:

[Skybird]

Unverhofft kommt oft.

[Ishmael]

Apparently they are tired of the globalization/free trade policies of multi-national corporatism as this excerpt from the MSNBC stroy points out:

Thaksin’s critics want to jettison his policies promoting privatization, free trade agreements and CEO-style administration.

So the Thais want to keep Thailand Thai.

[Immacolata]

And it seems the king was in on it afterall.

[Skybird]

And explosion of corruption under that now fired premier had been pointed out in German TV.

[waste gate]

Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, who is known to be close to Thailand's revered monarch and is a Muslim in this Buddhist-dominated nation, took power.
So much for the un-armed citizens. Accept Islam or die.

An army general, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said Chitchai and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya — two Thaksin loyalists — had been arrested.
"The government is no longer administering the country," Akara said.
Freely elected? So much for the un-armed citizens.

[The Avon Lady]

Another Dar al-Islam country to add to the map.

[Perilscope]

So much for the un-armed citizens. Accept Islam or die.
Actually, let me rephrase the quote above:
So much for the un-armed very peaceful Buddhist citizens. That must confront these armed medieval headed perverts.

Another Dar al-Islam country to add to the map.
No surprise there, they can't get their hands on any other powerful countries, so they pick the weakest.
Until they are in power, I will make sure my Tuna can I purchase doesn't come from Thailand. :rotfl: ...I'm serious.:88)

[The Avon Lady]

Just heard on the radio that they killed Thailand's deputy PM or similar. Can't find it on the wires yet.

[P_Funk]

I wouldn't get too worked up. They have one every few years. Kinda like mid term elections. And the results dont seem to be very be much worse.:rotfl:

[Camaero]

Any word on what the old PM plans on doing?

[TteFAboB]

They haven't had a coup in 15 years.

Been there last year, good timing, I suppose. This even would've been most, distracting.

Get it? What distracted them from Couping in these 15 years? Damn I can't make good hidden jokes.

But I've actually been there. "An explosion of corruption" would be an understatement from what I've observed.

[STEED]

No real big news yet :hmm: what's the next move?