Tanks are rolling through the streets of Bangkok, Thailand,

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

no story yet

[rclouse 0]

The AP has a one line story:

Strike that. Reuters has more:

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declared a state of emergency in Bangkok on Wednesday shortly after Reuters witnesses saw tanks surrounding Government House.

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

Thaksin, who is in New York at a United Nations summit, ordered troops not to "move illegally."

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

BANGKOK, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Coup rumors were widely spread Tuesday night after the Third and Fifth Army areas moved their four battalions out, a military source told Xinhua.

But officers from the two-army areas said the forces were moved to be stationed in the three southern border provinces as part of personnel rotation there.

The 31st Infantry Regimen also moved out its personnel as part of the rotation with soldiers in the deep South, officers was quoted by the Thai multimedia group the Nation as saying.

The 23rd and 24th Cavalry Battalions and the Second Cavalry Division also moved out their personnel to rotate with soldiers at the Pha Muang Task Force in Phetchabun Province, reports said.

Some officers said the massive movements of the soldiers apparently led to the coup rumors, said the Nation.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-09/...ent_5111825.htm

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

dayum.

I hope thre is no bloodshed.

Daniel

:energetic:

[Saddle Bronc 124]

In constitutional monarchies (such as Thailand, also about a decade-or-so ago in Spain), coup attempts generally fizzle-out.

[sharky 2]

I'm not so sure about this one though.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5361008.stm

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

An article from The Hindu, dated Sept 17 (day before yesterday).. this may provide some insight into why:

Opponents of Thai PM plan anti-govt. rallies

Bangkok (Thailand), Sept. 17 (AP): Opponents of Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, said Saturday they would resume anti-government rallies next week in an effort to prevent the embattled leader from running in the upcoming national elections.

``We want to express our view that Thaksin should not return to politics again,'' said Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the leaders in the anti-government coalition known as People's Alliance For Democracy.

``He should not seek another term as prime minister,'' he said.

``He should take a rest which will make it easier to examine several allegations against him.''

Massive rallies earlier this year amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power forced Thaksin to dissolve Parliament and call for a snap election in April.

The poll was boycotted by Opposition parties and later annulled by Thailand's top courts, leaving the country without a working legislature.

New elections are scheduled for October 15, but are likely to be postponed until at least November.

A major anti-Thaksin rally is scheduled for Wednesday at Democracy Monument in the capital Bangkok, Somsak said.

Demonstrators will then march to the Royal Plaza for an evening rally, he said.

Thaksin is currently attending the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Cuba and is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in New York before returning to Bangkok on Thursday.

In an interview given to local media during his trip Friday, Thaksin said he is certain that his Thai Rak Thai party will win the next election, but added that he is mulling leaving politics ahead of the poll.

``I can assure you that my party will not lose,'' he told reporters. ``Even if I take a break from politics, it will not affect the party.''

Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party has twice won landslide election victories, in 2001 and 2005 and is expected to win the next vote, bolstered by their widespread support in the country's rural areas.

[almaty 19]

i think the coup is on

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Thai military declares launch of coup

www.chinaview.cn 2006-09-19 23:33:52

BANGKOK, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Thai military declared launchof coup, Thai military TV Five reported Tuesday night.

Over a dozen tanks blocked roads around Thailand's government headquarters in Bangkok, witnesses said.

Thai Prim Minister Thaksin, who is in the United States on a visit, issued a state of emergency, but the message was cut off.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-09/...ent_5112053.htm

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

My wife is going in November and me in December. Hopefully no one gets hurt during this excursion. But I'd like to see the currency devalued a little since I'm planning to buy some land.

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Thai armed forces in control, appeal for peace: TV

The Thai armed forces and national police chiefs have set up a commission to decide on political reforms after troops and tanks took over government headquarters on Tuesday, a statement on television said.

The written statement relayed by all television channels, said the armed forces and police were in control of Bangkok, which remained peaceful, and appealed for calm.

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.

[zyggy 9]

I find it hard to believe that this wouldn't happen without the blessing of King Bhumibol who apparently has had deep concerns about Mr. Thaksin of late...

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The Council of Administrative Reform, led by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, had declared it seized power in Bangkok, and nearby provinces without any resistance, according to television broadcasts and the Associated Press.

http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=15657

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Wow scary stuff. Have to read up on that.

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Thai Deputy PM,Defense Minister Arrested -Military Source

Tuesday September 19th, 2006 / 19h21

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP)--The Thai military Tuesday arrested two key government leaders in the wake of their coup bid against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The coup makers arrested Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Defense Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya - two close loyalists of Thaksin - and that Chitchai agreed to resign, according to an army general, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The same general said Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin had used the military to take over power from the prime minister.

In a vain attempt to stave off the coup attempt, Thaksin had ordered Sondhi to report to Chitchai immediately, effectively dismissing him from his military duties. Thaksin told of his move when he declared a state of emergency for Bangkok. Thaksin made the announcement from New York, where he was attending the U.N.'s General Assembly.