For extended information about persons, organisations and events we provide links.
All the links we provide we tested at the time of writing and just after we published the report.
But the crux with the links is Thailand's Military.
The Army not only controls all Radio and TV stations in the country, it also has a eye on Newspapers and the Internet.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) told the press that Thailand's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry will no longer intervene in social media operations and scrapped its plan to meet executives of Facebook and Google in Singapore and Line executives in Japan.
Pol Gen Pisit Pao-in said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had no policy of blocking internet gateways or banning people from using social media as that would violate people's right to access the web and infringe on their privacy.
Nevertheless, the ICT Ministry would keep track of social media to prevent people using them to spreading provocative statements on websites, but the tracking will be in line with international law, Pol Gen Pisit Pao-in said.
Notwithstanding the Junta announced that it would establish a national internet gateway to better monitor websites and social media platforms.
It's working: Shortly after we published a link to a Youtube movie showing that hundreds - if not thousands - of people opposing the coup by using the three-finger sign, the movie disappeared.
Before the coup, Suthep Thaugsuban and his People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party as well as their ally, Thailand's Army, criticised the Government Leaders for providing leading jobs to their friends and supporters, but when a few days ago a leading Thai newspaper published a report showing the connection between the Coup Leaders, the article disappeared within hours.
TiT (This is Thailand) has to be modified to TiTA (This is Thailand's Army).
Coup d'état
On May 20, 2014, at about 03:00 General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of Thailand's Army, announced the imposition of the martial law "to preserve law and order in the country".
It's not a Coup d'état, the General told everybody.
On May 22nd at 17:00, after a meeting with representatives of the Government, some agencies and the leaders from the PDRC and UDD movements General Prayuth Chan-ocha let arrest most attendees and announced Thailand's latest Coup d'état.
We where impressed by the actions that followed:
Within minutes after the announcement of the Coup d'état all strategic places, including Radio and TV Stations, Newspapers and Government houses in Bangkok were in the hands of the Army and occupied by its soldiers.
The Army started clearing all rally sites almost immediately, provided buses for both red-shirt protesters and PDRC supporters, and begun hunting Red Shirt Leaders and members of the acting Caretaker Government.
After the first shock we all realized that the actions had to be planned well in advance and was carefully prepared.
It seems Thailand's Army hoodwinked the world during the last few weeks.
More analyses:
Pattaya Police Chief deported
In the dead of night, during the curfew hours, members of the Sattahip based Royal Thai Navy seized Pattaya's glamour boy, Police Colonel Supachai Phuikaewkhum, and his wife Khun Juriporn.
The Chief of Pattaya's Police Station on Soi 9 was not only known by the many advertisements placed all over Pattaya, Police Colonel Supachai and his wife also have close affiliations with the Red Shirt movement.
The whereabouts of the couple is currently unknown, but we assume they are somewhere in Bangkok, united with other prominent supporters of the Red Shirt movement.
Observing other incidents during the last few hours, it seems to be obvious that Thailand's Army is hunting members and/or supporters of the Red Shirt movement.
myLady™ already asks: Who will remove all that billboards and when?
Like North Korea
Refering to actual TV entertainment in Pattaya, tourists told me it's like living in North Korea.
At the time of writing, no domestic or foreign TV Channels are available available, with the exeption of the sporadic messages of the Junta on some channels.
It's even worse than living in the former DDR, a visitor from Germany claimed.
PS.: Since 18:00, May 23rd, Thailand's most important media is back.
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from a Country where the Army's Passion is still a Possibility©
Nationwide Martial Law Announced
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of Thailand's Army, announced the martial law on the Army's very own TV channel 5.
- Thailand's Army did not informe Thailand's Prime Minister about their decision.
- When journalists asked General Prayuth Chan-ocha about the status of the Caretaking Government he simply answered: Where is a Government?
- The 19th Infantry Battalion has taken control of the Thaicom satellite base station in Nonthaburi and TV Channel 11 of the Public Relations Department.
- Reports tell that the Army closed the Red Shirts free TV Channel but not the channels from the Yellow Shirts, but UDD's Channel is still available in Pattaya. Since about 10:00 Red and Yellow TV Channels are switched off.
- Thailand's Army insists that it's not a Coup d'état, but all important places and TV stations in Bangkok are occupied by the Army. Perhaps they created a new word for their action and will order Suthep Thaugsuban to explain it to the world...
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief, set up the Peace-Keeping Command Centre (PKCC) under the military, and dissolved the Government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo).
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha declared himself director of the PKCC.
- The PKCC declared it has taken control of all security operations, nationwide: The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), Royal Thai Police Office, army, navy, air force, Interior Ministry and all relevant government agencies.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered all government agency chiefs to report to the army.
- The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on Tuesday abruptly cancelled plans for an extended street rally. At about 14:00 PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan announced the People's Democratic Reform Committee will continue rallying for national reform before the next election despite martial law.
- The military encircled the pro-government Red Shirt protest site and is trying to convince the Red Shirts to end their rally.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered all radio and television stations to halt regular programming and link up with army-run TV and radio to broadcast announcements and orders to the people when asked. The order said this is to make sure that all information reaching the public is accurate.
- Under martial law officers are exempted from all civil, criminal and disciplinary liability when performing their duty.
- Unlike after a Coup d'état, the constitution remains in force and assemblies are still allowed.
- Martial law suspends many civil rights. Some of the powers that the military now has are: power to search anyone or any place, prohibit any act (and including imposing a curfew), seize anything and detain anyone for seven days.
- The Nationwide martial law just ensure the army can completely take over the elected civilian government and that's just what Suthep's intention is.
- The army still listen to the demands of the minority of people but not to the majority who want elections.
- Pro-government and pro-Thaksin senators said they supported the army's declaration of martial law, but would oppose the military playing any role in installing a neutral interim prime minister or an interim premier under Section 7 of the constitution.
- Soldiers took over security from Police at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha orders Newspaper, Radio and TV Stations censorship. Anyone violating the martial law order would be prosecuted and shut down, the General warned the media, not mentioning that Thailand's constitution and the press law forbid shutting down media...
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha instructed officials of the Interior Ministry and the police to take action to end any demonstration criticising the martial law regime and the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC).
Martial Law Continues As Long As Necessary
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha gave the assurance that only some sections of the Martial Law Act would be enforced to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the people. But when asked if the martial law could lead to a full-scale coup, he replied who would answer a question like that?
Our intention is to push the country forward. We hope all government officials and members of the public sector cooperate, so that problems can be quickly resolved, the General said.
At the press conference General Prayuth Chan-ocha said martial law would continue as long as necessary.
- Caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri, caretaker PM's Office Ministers Varathep Rattanakorn, caretaker Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanit and caretaker Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) self appointed leader Suthep Thaugsuban, and Election Commission chairman Supachai Somcharoen as well as five members of the Pheu Thai Party and four members of The Democrat Party, including its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, attended a first meetign to discuss Thailand's current situation with General Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan had advised General Prayuth Chan-ocha by phone that he would not attend the talks.
To allow Suthep Thaugsuban to join the meeting the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) issued an order to suspend law enforcement on criminal prosecution from 13:00 until the end of the meeting. There are at least three warants asking for the arrest of the agitator. TiT (This is Thailand).
- As expected, the meeting didn't provided any result, but the participants said they would go back and talk to their respective sides before returning for a second meeting on May 22nd at 14:00.
Thailand's Military Announce Coup d'état
- Thailand's martial law is an act of 1914.
- Thailand's army has staged at least 11 coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932.
- Thailand's army ordered 14 satellite TV channels to cease or suspend operations.
- The New York Times (NYT) reports that Thailand's army closed down 3'000 radio stations across the country.
- During yesterday's meeting General Prayuth Chan-ocha came up with three proposals:
- Caretaker Cabinet has to resign.
- Interim Government has to be formed
- Both the red-shirt movement and the People's Democratic Reform Committee have to end their rallies
Self-appointed protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he will reaffirm the call for an interim government and political reforms during the second round of todays meeting. A nonpartisan prime minister must be appointed to carry out reforms, he said.
- Acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan has asked for new elections to be called for August 3rd, after a snap poll in February was annulled because it was disrupted by protesters, but the Elite controlled Election Comission (EC) acts reluctant because Elite appointed Senators are considering the appointment of a new prime minister with full authority to run the country, in a bid to find a way out of the political impasse, they claim.
An Elite appointed senator even suggested soldiers should force Cabinet members at gunpoint to resign.
Senator Paiboon Nititawan announced to take legal action against acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan if he insisted on scheduling the election date with the Election Commission (EC).
- Pheu Thai Party members dismissed widespread social media reports that former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, members of her family and some cabinet ministers had fled abroad for fear of being arrested following the declaration of martial law.
Since about seven months Suthep Thaugsuban and members of his People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) place (false) rumours on social media to discredit the acting Government and the Shinawatra family.
- Surachai Liangboonlertchai, the (still illegally acting) Senate Speaker, has refused to comment on the allegation that Thailand's army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha is being considered as a candidate for the position of Prime Minister.
Surachai Liangboonlertchai was elected with the help of appointed Senators but without a proper Royal Decree. He is still awaiting royal endorsement to legally serve as president of the upper House.
- After today's meeting ended at about 16:30 Thai troops entered the meeting room and arrested all participants.
Reports say that the seven-party talk erupted in heated disputes, urging Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, his commanders-in-chief as well as other armed forces and the police chief to left the room.
Thirty minutes later General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced the country's 12th Coup d'état.
- Reports tell that Army Commander-in-Chief asked caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri whether the Government would resign or not. After Chaikasem said 'No', the General declared the Coup d'état in the meeting room.
- Since the Coup d'état announcement all Thai TV Channels are off air!
- The Thai Army put the country under curfew from 22:00 to 05:00.
- At 18:30 Caretaker Prime Minister Niwuttamrong Boonsongpaisan's whereabouts are not known.
- The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) ordered Caretaker Prime Minister Niwutthamrong Boonsong Paisan and cabinet members to report themselves tonight.
- Army says all Thais must remain calm.
- Foreign TV stations report bomb explosion near Thai Army headquarters.
- Bangkok's SkyTrain will stop transporting commuters at 21:00.
- TV and Radio Station as well as editorial offices of Newspapers around the country are occupied by soldiers.
- TV and Radio Station broadcast information provided by the Military only.
- The Coup Leaders suspended Thailand's Constitution with the exception of Section 2. It says: Thailand adopts a democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State.
- Thailand's Army suspended almost all agencies with the exception of the Senate and the Courts.
- All schools across Thailand will be closed until May 26th, 2014.
- Foreign TV stations report that there is an order to shutdown Thailand's Internet too. Let's hope it doesn't happen. It would be a disaster for Thailand's Industries, Banks and Tourists.
- Police have stepped up security at the residence of Privy Council Chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda in Nakhon Ratchasima.
He was a leading player in Thailand's political crisis of 2005-2006.
- Former head of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) Chalerm Yoobamrung and his sons were arrested by soldiers and escorted to the First Infantry Regiment of the Royal Guards.
If you read the playlist, its clearly visible that the coup was well planned ahead, and not based on a 30-minute decision as claimed by General Prayuth Chan-ocha.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha Declares Himself Prime Minister
- Military Junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has declared himself acting Prime Minister until the new coup regime can find someone to serve in the post full time.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Thailand's new Prime Minister and the head of the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC), has summoned 155 people to report to him today. The list includes former high-ranking military and police officers, key politicians and key demonstration leaders involved in the political conflict. The coup-makers warned those defying the summons will be arrested and face legal action.
- At 09:35 Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, former acting caretaker prime minister, reported at the Royal Thai Army auditorium in Bangkok's Thewes area. He was followed by Chalerm Yubamrung, former labour minister and director of the dissolved Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), and Tongthong Chandransu, permanent secretary of the Prime Minister's Office. Reports claim that soldiers stayed with Chalerm Yubamrung since Thursday night.
- Later, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra reported to the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC). She arrived in a black bullet-proof Volkswagen van, accompanied by a vanguard of bodyguards. Many of those who reported to the NPOMC have been taken to be detained at five Army camps in five provinces, including former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra as well as several members of her family. The Military says the former Prime Minister will be held for no more than a week...
- All those who have reported to the council are banned from leaving the country without permission.
- Thailand's new Prime Minister, Coup Leader, the head of the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) and the Chief of Thailand's Army, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, summonsed today foreign ambassadors, military attaches and representatives of international organisations in Bangkok for a briefing at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road at 16:00. According to the Junta General Prayuth Chan-ocha met 87 Diplomats from 58 countries.
- A reform council and a national assembly will be set up to fill the void and work on national reform before a new election can be held, the Junta told the Diplomats.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha told the Diplomats that the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) would have to run the country until the situation was ripe for an interim Government.
- The Junta is detaining leaders of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in a safe house in Bangkok together with Pheu Thai secretary general Phutham Wechayachai and party spokesman Prompong Nopparit.
- Following the Coup d'état security at several border checkpoints were strengthened today, but Sa Kaew deputy police commander Col Benjapon Rodsawat claims we have informed tour guides that the situation is normal and safe so that they will tell the foreigners.
The Suranaree Task Force has ordered a three-day closure of Saitaku checkpoint in Buri Ram's Ban Kruat district to prevent security-related offenders and politicians leaving the country.
Thai citizens were prohibited from crossing the border to Laos but Laotians were allowed to return home through the checkpoint at Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai's Muang district.
- After protest from students, media, artists and social activists the Junta decided that free-to-air Channel 3, 5, 7, 9, NBT and Thai PBS stations can resume their normal broadcast at 18:00. Most International channels on cable TV Networks came back too.
- Paying struggling rice farmers will be one of the first priorities of the new administration, coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced. The General already asked the Finance Ministry to make the necessary funds available, saying that about 80 billion Baht should be paid to farmers within 15-20 days. Bangkok's Elite blocked the money to create unrest among the farmers, most of them traditional supporters of the Red Shirts.
- Foreign reaction to the military coup poured in overnight. All countries condemned Thailand's 12th Coup d'état. Many countries warned its nationals to defer non-essential travel to Thailand.
- According to the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) more than 50 nations have already issued travel warnings to avoid visiting Thailand. Many tourists have postponed their trips and a lot of business and leisure tourists have reportedly cancelled trips to Thailand this week.
- Singapore tells its citizens to seriously reconsider trips to Thailand. The situation is unpredictable and volatile, and may evolve quite rapidly, the ministry tells on its website.
- While the capital is under the curfew, BRT buses, MRT (Bangkok's Metro) and Skytrain will operate from 06:00 to 21:00 only.
Thailand's Military Detains Former Prime Minister
- Thailand's capital market was rattled by foreigners' exodus.
- Thailand's Military detains former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in a military camp roughly two hours from Bangkok, located in Saraburi province, in Central Thailand.
- Thailand's Military confiscated former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra's mobile phones and those of her aides.
- Thai Military have detained Yingluck, her sister, brother-in-law and dozens of other supporters of the Pheu Thai Party.
- The United States said it has suspended US$3.5 million in military assistance for Thailand.
- The US State Department recommended that US citizens reconsider any non-essential travel to Thailand.
- Unverified reports circulated that the Military was attempting to detain Red Shirts in the North and North-East of the country.
- According to some lawers the Military Coup carried out by the Army of Thailand does not have any legitimacy nor does the Army of Thailand have a mandate from the people of Thailand to govern the country.
- The Junta's announcement that it is considering to install an Interim Government, that it is working on national reform before a new election can be held and its detainment of elected members of the former Government shows that the Junta is nothing else than a bunch of puppets of Bangkok's Elite and their figurehead Suthep Thaugsuban, observers say.
- The Siam Intelligence Unit thinktank claims that the new Junta Government will run the country for one to two years. The worst possible scenario is a chronic civil war.
- PDRC, Democrat Party, and all anti-Pheu Thai leaders will be released in the next few days, some sources say. Pheu Thai and Red Shirts leaders will be in custody for a much longer period.
- At about 11:00 the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) issued an order to summon 35 more prominent figures to report to the Military Junta. The list includes Sondhi Limthongkul, former co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (the Yellow Shirts), Suwat Liptapanlop, Worajet Pakeera, a academic of the Nitirat group, Somsak Jeamteerasakul, a history lecturer from Thammasat University and an outspoken critic of the Thai monarchy, and Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an associate professor at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Japan.
Pavin Chachavalpongpun said he would not return home to the crudest form of authoritarianism. The military claiming to be a mediator in the Thai conflict, that is all just nonsense. This is not about paving the way for reform and democratisation. We are really going back to the crudest form of authoritarianism, he told the Associated Press.
- Ousted Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan announced that he would not report to the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC} as summoned. I will not bow my head to the military that seized the people's power, he wrote on his Facebook page.
I insist that I will not bow down to the military. I will not take part in a meeting with a group of rebels because I am the Pheu Thai leader and the Interior Minister who has been appointed by the people. I intend to fight against all types of insurrection alongside Seri Thai. I'm safe and taking cover in the Northeast, Charupong Ruangsuwan said.
- Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang, an outspoken critic of the military's intervention in politics, is hiding himself. Chaturon said in a Facebook post that the coup would only worsen the country's political atmosphere. He vowed not to turn himself in, but said he would not resist arrest.
- The coup makers announced that they have frozen the assets of Charupong Ruangsuwan, former interior minister, and Chaturon Chaisang, former education minister, the two Pheu Thai Party executives who refused to report to them. The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) told all financial institutions to stop transactions with the two and report their past transactions from March 1st to May 24th, 2014.
- The Military Junta has allowed all 24 digital TV stations, subscription TVs and some satellite TV stations to resume their broadcast. 15 satellite stations suspended earlier remain closed. All stations are required to broadcast the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) announcements.
- CNN International urged Thais to tweet updates about conditions in the country as its television channel is blocked by the coup makers.
- A spokesman from the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) told on TV that the Military Junta detains former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her family to give them time to think what's best for the country and for themself.
We don't intend to limit their freedom but it is to relieve the pressure, Col Weerachon Sukondhapatipak, a deputy spokesman of the Army said, but he didn't look like a jester.
- At about 16:00 Tarit Pengdith, the director-general of the Department of Special Invstigation (DSI), told the press that the 30 anti-government protest leaders facing arrest warrants will turn themselves in next week.
A few hours later Coup Leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha moved Tarit Pengdith to an inactiv post.
- The General takes it all:
General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced that the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC) changed its English name to the National Council for Peace and Order, or NCPO.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced that he dissolved the Senate, so all parliamentary authority rests with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) headed by the army chief. The General announced that he had taken over the authority of the House and the Senate for the time being in case any actions required parliamentary approval.
Futhermore General Prayuth Chan-ocha moved Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, the National Police Chief, to an inactive post in the Prime Minister's Office.
Tarit Pengdith, the head of the Department of Special Investigation, and Nipat Thonglek, the permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry were moved to inactive posts too. In the eys of Bangkok's Elite both men had been seen as loyalists to the ousted government and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, the deputy national police chief, has been named the acting police chief. Pol Gen Chatchawal Suksomjit, another deputy national police chief, has been put in charge of the Department of Special Invstigation (DSI), and Gen Surasak Kanjanarat, deputy permanent secretary for defence, has been named the defence permanent secretary.
- The coup makers say His Majesty the King had acknowledged their reports about the declaration of martial law and the seizure of ruling power to maintain order and solve conflicts in the country.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) says it had submitted the letters to the King through the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary twice, on May 20th and 22nd, 2014.
United States Cancels Military Exercise With Thailand
- The United States has cancelled an ongoing military exercise with Thailand and planned visits by officials after the Thai army seized power in a widely condemned coup.
While we have enjoyed a long and productive military-to-military relationship with Thailand, our own democratic principles and US law require us to reconsider US military assistance and engagements, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement and added it is important that the Royal Thai Armed Forces end this coup and restore to the people of Thailand both the principles and the process of democratic rule, including a clear path forward to elections.
Yesterday the United States already suspended US$3.5 million in military assistance for Thailand.
- The Department of Consular Affairs said it will resume operations at its main office on Chaeng Watthana Road on May 26th after Suthep Thaugsuban's anti-government protesters from the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) left the area.
- The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is preparing a 55-billion Baht budget from its reserves and the Farmers Assistance Fund to pay farmers owed under the rice-pledging scheme.
BAAC president Luck Wajananawat said as the Constitution has been suspended by the Junta, the bank could disburse from its reserves and the farmers' fund to pay farmers at the earliest.
The bank would also encourage financial institutions to offer loans for paying outstanding dues to the farmers under the rice-pledging scheme to ensure that every farmer gets his money within 15-20 days...
- On May 24th at about 19:30 Pol Gen Pracha Promnok, a former deputy prime minister and a key member of Pheu Thai party, was detained at Suvarnabhumi international airport. He was then escorted to an undisclosed army barrack where he was held in custody.
- Leaders of the opposition Democrat Party who were detained along with the government figures on May 22nd were released on May 23rd. They include Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was prime minister in the unelected, military-backed government from 2008 to 2011.
 Winthai Suvaree, the involuntarily Jester
- The Jester Speaks Again:
- Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree today urged the public against joining rallies against coups. The democratic process cannot be done like in a normal situation, he claimed.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) wants to return happiness to all Thais as well as create confidence and stability of Thailand in the eyes of the international community.
- Cooperation of the officials is needed to prevent the country from becoming a failed state.
- The Jester urged civilian, police and military officers to be patient and accept the need of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to minimise conflicts in the country.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has cited three reasons why the military seized power:
- Thailand has different situation and political environment to other countries.
- The military has clear evidences and reasons to seize power. The evidences and reasons will later be shown to the international community.
- Democratic ruling in Thailand has caused a lot of lives.
- Thai military always supported the democratic ruling, but the expression of democratic rights in Thailand was different from those in foreign countries, Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree claims.
According to Col Winthai Suwaree US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Harry Harris has called Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha following the coup and expressed his understanding to the situation as a solider but he has to comply with the stand of the US government, the Admiral allegedly said.
A few hours after the Jester statement the US Embassy in Bangkok posted on twitter that the news was completely false. There has been no call from the US Pacific Fleet. Beware false reports regarding alleged statements, the Embassy said.
The Royal Thai Army is known to have made misleading statements in the past. For instance, it insisted on May 16th that martial law would only be invoked as last resort if large-scale unrest broke out in Thailand. Less than a week later, the army imposed martial law even though there had been no escalation in violence.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's attempts to bring political rivals together to love and be at peace are not going as planned:
Key members of Pheu Thai, Red Shirt and anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) detained at an army facility in Ayutthaya's Wang Noi district have refused to sleep under the same roof.
The military agreed to put them in three different houses, one for PDRC members, one for Pheu Thai members and one for Red Shirt leaders.
Each of the detainees was given a basic change of clothes and personal items including a toothbrush and toothpaste, the Army claims.
Reports say that leading Pheu Thai Party and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship members are playing cards - visitors to Thailand already know that all kind of gaming is banned in this country - exept if you are living in an Army compound.
Detainees jogging at the military compound are not allowed to stray too far. Soldiers warned of cobra snakes lurking nearby...
- Acting police chief Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnratchakij on May 24th issued an order to transfer eight commissioner-level police officers to inactive posts at the Royal Thai Police Office:
- Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, replaced by Pol Lt Gen Chakthip Chaichinda, a commissioner attached to the RTPO.
- Pol Lt Gen Nares Nanthachote, commissioner of the Region 1 Provincial Police Bureau, replaced by Pol Maj Gen Sriwarah Rangsipramkul, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau.
- Pol Lt Gen Kawi Suphanan, commissioner of the Region 2 Provincial Police Bureau, replaced by Pol Maj Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, deputy commissioner of the Police Service Commission.
- Pol Lt Gen Anuchai Lekbamrung, commissioner of the Region 4 Provincial Police Bureau, replaced by Pol Lt Gen Detnarong Suthichanbancha, commissioner of the Office of Budget and Finance.
- Pol Lt Gen Suthep Detraksa, commissioner of the Region 5 Provincial Police Bureau, replaced by Pol Lt Gen Wanchai Thanatkij, assistant police chief.
- Pol Lt Gen Hanpol Nitwiboon, commissioner of the Region 7 Provincial Police Bureau, replaced by Pol Lt Gen Somboon Huabbangyang, a police inspector-general.
- Pol Lt Gen Phanu Kerdlarppol, commissioner of the Immigration Police Bureau, replaced by Pol Lt Gen Sakda Chuenpakdi, a police inspector-general.
- Pol Lt Gen Saritchai Anekwiang, commissioner of the Special Branch Police Bureau, replaced by Pol Maj Gen Rewach Klinkesorn, a deputy police inspector-general.
- Suck-up Abhisit Vejjajiva, still the leader of Thailand's anti-democratic Democrat Party, posted a message on his Facebook wall claiming I am sorry that I could not push for reforms under the constitution and could not protect democracy.
Anti-coup Protests in Bangkok
- Yesterday more than 1'000 anti-coup protesters squared off against soldiers in front of Bangkok's Amarin Plaza Shopping Complex and at the Victory Monument despite warnings from the ruling Junta to end rallies.
A group of about 200 pro-coup supporters of the Junta gathered at Democracy Monument. The Love the Army Group held placards with supportive messages such as Thank you Thai soldiers and We support Thai military to counter corruption and terrorism. The group announced to hold a similar activity today to give moral support to soldiers performing their duties on the streets.
- Difficulties in communication combined with the unpredictable political situation prompted tourist to end their trips abruptly. The curfew and the troups in the street are a real threat, some tourists told us. Other said that we do not support a dictatorship of the military with our money.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will take legal action against Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer, Robert Amsterdam over his interview with a foreign press, saying a number of states have made offers to Thaksin to host the government in exile.
The NCPO claims the content of the interview was deemed to disturb peace in Thailand. The NCPO will ask the Foreign Ministry to cut the lawyer's communication channels...
- Yesterday night the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) released former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from an army camp. Ms Yingluck was allowed to return home. She was taken into custody on May 23rd.
Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree confirmed the report.
- Suthep Thaugsuban and 10 other core leaders of the defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) were released today from a military camp. The Army escorted them to the Attorney General to be charged with insurrection.
- Following massive transfers of senior state officials and police officers it is expected that a purge of state enterprise boards likely will be the next step the coup-makers take.
Oil and gas giant PTT, Airports of Thailand (AoT), Port Authority of Thailand, Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority, State Railways of Thailand, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Government Saving Bank and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) are on the Junta's watchlist.
NCPO chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha already has asked the public for understanding.
- The coup makers faced rising criticism from academics and non-governmental organisations over controversial orders seeking to bar scholars, analysts and the media from making comments about them. The military should quickly return power to the people to avoid bloodshed, the critics postulate.
- Yesterday night we got a report that Pol Lt Gen Wanchai Thanatkij, assistant police chief, who was appointed acting commissioner of Region 5 on May 25th, ordered the transfer of Chiang Mai provincial police chief Krit Kittilue.
The report said Third Region army commander Lt Gen Preecha Chan-ocha, a brother of army chief and coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha, submitted a letter to Pol Lt Gen Wanchai Thanatkij accusing the Chiang Mai police chief of using his authority to support and facilitate Thaksin's only son, Panthongtae, and suggesting he be removed from his position.
This morning we were told that the order transferring Chiang Mai provincial police chief Krit Kittilue to an inactive post has been cancelled.
The transfer order and the cancellation of the order were signed by Pol Lt Gen Wanchai Thanatkij. He was appointed acting commissioner of Region 5 by acting police chief Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnratchakij on May 24th, 2014...
- A group of about 30 members of foreign ministry officials, calling itself Change is Inevitable, issued a statement of support for the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) and the military and security authorities for their efforts to bring the country out of political deadlock.
The group said it is confident that the changes through reform will be an important foundation for strengthening democracy under the constitutional monarchy along with free and fair elections.
Army Chief Formally Appointed To Run The Nation
- Thailand's army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has been formally appointed to run the nation in yesterday's ceremony.
The Royal Command Ceremony, a significant formality in a country where the monarchy is the most important institution, happened at 10:49 (local time) at a reception room on the second floor of the Army's headquarters on Ratchadamnern Avenue.
The royal command reportedly said that to restore peace and order in the country and for sake of unity, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand appointed Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha as head of the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) to run the country.
There was tight security and no reporters were allowed to cover the ceremony.
The 86-year-old monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, did not attend the ceremony.
- The Republic of Singapore has no plans to impose sanctions on Thailand following the military coup, Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said.
I don't think Singapore is looking at sanctions, that's not our style, he said in a interview with Bloomberg.
- Tourism operators called on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to push back the curfew from 22:00 until 24:00 in tourism destinations.
But coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday he'll keep the night-time curfew in force.
After taking control of the country on May 22nd, the military enforced a curfew from 22:00 to 05:00, discouraging tourists who were already wary about visiting the capital because of political violence that has killed dozens since November.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), insists the council has no desire for power. Thailand's Military had to take control of national administration to steer the country, he claims.
- European hotel operator Accor SA has seen the hotel business in Bangkok plunge about 30 percent this year amid the unrest in the country's capital.
- Representatives at Sony, Panasonic and Hitachi said their companies have cautioned employees about Thailand. The companies are advising workers against traveling to Thailand as evidence mounts that political turmoil in the country is undermining business activity there.
- Taylor Swift canceled her concert at Bangkok's Impact Arena, in Muang Thong Thani, due to recent events in Thailand.
The concert on June 9th was part of Taylor Swift's Red Tour 2014.
The concert in Bangkok was sold-out. Ticket holders can get refunds.
- Former education minister Chaturon Chaisang was arrested by the military while holding a press briefing at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.
Before his arrest he told reporters that I no longer want to go into hiding and do not want to leave the country, I am prepared to be arrested.
A coup d'etat is not a solution to the problems of conflict in Thai society, he said and added it will make the conflict even worse, and it may lead to violence. A coup is unacceptable, it is an abrogation of democracy. I still insist on exercising my own rights and liberty to call for the return to democracy, he allegedly told AP.
- A spokesman for the Foreign Office said that Britain is reviewing its military relationship with Thailand following last week's Military Coup.
As a first step, we are immediately cancelling a number of inward military visits between our two countries, the spokesman said.
- At about 21:00 local time General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced a new curfew order. It will be enforced from midnight to 04:00, effective May 28th, 2014.
The change came after widespread complaints.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, coup leader and Prime Minister of Thailand, doesn't like tough questions.
The army ordered Bangkok Post military affairs reporter Wassana Nanuam and her counterpart at Thai Rath Suppalerk Thongchailit to report to coup headquarters.
At the meeting they were told that General Prayuth Chan-ocha was unhappy at being asked questions in forceful and aggressive manner. Such questioning could affect confidence in his leadership, the army officers claimed to the two reporters.
Please understand General Prayuth Chan-ocha's good intentions in solving the country's problem, the officers claimed and added that the press should cheer on General Prayuth Chan-ocha...
Now you know it!
Curfew Time Reduced
- After the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) reduced curfew time from 22:00 to 04:00 to from 24:00 to 04:00, BTS skytrain, MRT subway and Air Port Rail Link announced that their services will run from 06:00 to 23:00, starting from today until further notice.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters that the NCPO plans to establish an agency that will oversee nationwide "reforms," followed by the appointment of a new legislative assembly.
According to Thai army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the military has not established a time frame for when it will return power to a civilian administration.
Does this mean Junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha likes to hold power indefinitely?
- The Foreign Ministry's Consular Affairs Department reports it will resume full services next week, including the issuance of passports.
During the ant-government protests of Suthep Thaugsuban and his People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) the department decided to shut its doors to protect its online database for passports in case the protest turned violent. During the protests, the issuance of passports was transferred to the department's branches around Bangkok and other provinces.
- To patch up the rifts in society, coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday ordered the four Army areas to set up reconciliation centres in all locations so that people with different political ideologies could be reformed...
It's a small path between reconciliation and thought reform, otherwise also known as Mind control.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha says reconciliation between the supporters of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and anti-Taksin demonstrators is a prerequisite for a parliamentary election and other steps toward transferring power to a civil administration.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Tuesday banned all financial and asset transactions by Prasit Chaisrisa, former Pheu Thai MP for Surin, and red-shirt activist Sombat Boonngam-anong after they both failed to turn themselves in. The council also ordered the institutions to provide reports on all transactions by both men between March 1st and May 27th, 2014, within three days.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced the transfer of eight provincial governors and 16 senior police officers to inactive positions at the interior ministry and National Police headquarters respectively.
Among these Police Colonel Supachai Phuikaewkhum, an alleged well-wisher of the Red Shirts and the Superintendent of Pattaya's police station, has been moved to an inactive position at the National Police headquarters.
- At about 14:00 we learned that Thailand's Army released 124 people, including politicians and activists, who were taken into custody after the coup.
According to a spokesman, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) summoned a total of 253 people. 53 did not report to the authorities and 76 were still in custody.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha Junta removed the Permanent Secretary of Prime Minister Office Tongthong Chandransu to an inactive post.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha Junta announced that it would establish a national internet gateway to better monitor websites and social media platforms, and told local media it would be requesting Facebook, YouTube and the chat application Line to ban user accounts with illegal content. So far the Junta has blocked 200 websites.
- Observers believe that the coup is unlikely to heal highly polarised political divisions in the country. The current deadlock dates from 2006, when the military ousted Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, in a coup.
Quod Licet Jovi, Non Licet Bovi
- Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi
You remember, on May 7th, 2014, Thailand's Elite controlled Constitutional Court ruled that Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog, Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, PM's Office Minister Santi Promphat, Information and Communication Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap, Deputy Defence Minister Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapha and Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kachornprasart of the first Yingluck Cabinet that approved the transfer of National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri were removed from office along with caretaker PM Yingluck Shinawatra.
Thawil Pliensri had to be reinstated as NSC chief after an order of a court.
On May 24th, 2014, acting police chief Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnratchakij issued an order to transfer eight commissioner-level police officers to inactive posts at the Royal Thai Police Office. They got replaced by people having close ties with People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban.
The charges against Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra are uniformly recognize as bogus charges brought by bodies that were neither independant nor impartial.
Same procedure as with Thaksin Shinawatra's removal. Thaksin was in New York to attend the United Nations the night the army overthrew him in September, 2006. The then army-appointed interim government looked into trying to extradite him under a bilateral criminal treaty signed with Britain in 1911 but never lodged a formal request...
- Thailand's Finance Ministry says that estimated losses from the previous five crops under the Yingluck Shinawatra government's controversial rice-pledging scheme could be (much) lower than 500 billion Baht...
- The Office of the National Water and Flood Management Policy is preparing to submit the controversial 350-billion-Baht water management project to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for consideration amid strong protests by activists who want it scrapped.
The project was initiated by Yingluck Shinawatra and her Government...
- Government House was unofficially reopened today after being closed for about six months by Suthep Thaugsuban and his People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters.
- Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Prajin Juntong, air force chief and economic deputy of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), pushed for a major revamp of state enterprises' boards. ACM Prajin himself is the chairman and independent director of THAI and independent director of PTT Plc...
- The military officer who berated anti-coup protesters and called the foreign media scoundrels at a protest at Victory Monument earlier this week was not a military officer after all, the army has claimed.
According to deputy army spokesperson Col. Sirichan Nga-thong, the man behind the loudspeaker was an imposter who collaborated with anti-coup protesters to smear the Thai army...
- Paskorn Siriyaphan, Thai Ambassador to Indonesia, said that the military power seizure in Thailand might be wrong in principle but it is morally right.
- Coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has issued guidelines for officials to follow so the country can advance toward an election and full democracy.
Authorities should take three steps:
- quickly restore normal administration to the country
- create favourable conditions, including the establishment of a legislative council and a reform council
- work toward holding elections under a full-fledged democracy
- 33 political detainees have been released today by General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). They were held separately in custody between three and seven days.
- Police as well as the Army closed four roads leading to the Victory Monument from 15:30 today to prevent the developing of anti-coup demonstrations. Many shops and businesses along Din Daeng Road, Phayathai Road, Ratchawithi Road, Phahon Yothin Road and around the Victory Monument had to close.
From our review of the situation, the protesters at the Victory Monument are not there spontaneously. They are well organised and there are leaders to supervise them. They are there with a hidden agenda. Therefore, the authorities will take decisive action against them according to the law. We cannot tell the media who the protest leaders are, Pol Gen Somyos Phumpanmuang said.
The Junta ordered 1'350 soldiers and police to the Victory Monument.
Update: At about 18:30 the authorities opened the streets for traffic because they couldn't spot any protesters...
- Lieutenant General Chatchalerm Chalermsukh, an Army deputy chief of staff supporting the Junta, today told foreign media that the Coup was needed to prevent Thailand from becoming a second Syria...
Obviously there are still some people in this country thinking foreign media's correspondents can't put one and one together.
Global Investors Pull Out More Than US$2 Billion
- The May 22nd military coup prompted global investors to pull about US$2 billion from the nations stocks and bonds.
- Thailand, once prized in Southeast Asia for its relative economic stability, is in danger of inheriting the Sick Man of Asia tag as the latest coup threatens to send investors scurrying toward once-riskier neighbors such as the Philippines and Myanmar.
- Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are forecast to grow more than 5 percent this year, while Thailand is on the verge of a recession after gross domestic product shrank in the first quarter.
- The imposition of martial law was credit negative for Thailand, Moody's Investors Service says.
- Countries like Vietnam and the Philippines are snapping at its heels and may overtake Thailand if the fundamental political challenges are not resolved, said Frederic Neumann, co-head of Asian research at HSBC Holdings Plc. in Hong Kong. The constant change in leadership and policy left adrift are taking a cumulative toll on Thailand's economy and damping its long-term prospects.
- Credit Suisse Group AG forecast Thailand stocks will underperform for one to three years, saying last week's coup leaves investors little reason to stay.
- The Foreign Ministry has issued an order to its Thai Ambassador to the United Kingdom to return to Bangkok and report to the ministry as soon as possible. The reason of the order is not known but reports say that Pasan Teparak, a former consul general of Thai Consulate General in Dubai, was close to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra who took refuge in Dubai.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) are again hunting members of the Red Shirt movement. The Junta summoned the leaders in Nakhon Ratchasima province, demanding they report to the Army Club in Bangkok on Friday.
- Deputy Police Commissioner-General Pol Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang warned that roads around the Victory Monument will be closed to traffic again if security officials learn that anti-coup protesters plan to gather there. Yesterday about 1'300 soldiers and police waited in vain for protesters...
Update: Traffic Police announced that the four roads leading to the Victory Monument will be closed from 16:00 due to possible anti-coup protests. They will be reopened after the rally ends or security forces return to their units, its website said.
- Who tells the truth?
On May 28th Facebook was not available for 37 minutes at around 15:00, with some sources claim it was 16:00.
According to telecommunications sources, about 30 million Facebook accounts in the country were suspended. However, some internet users in Bangkok said their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Line and Tumblr accounts were up and available at the time.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) permanent secretary Surachai Srisarakam said he had received an order from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to temporarily deny access to Facebook, after anti-coup movements were spreading on social media.
Surachai Srisarakam said we have blocked Facebook temporarily. We will call a meeting with other social media, like Twitter and Instagram, to ask them to cooperate deactivating some accounts with illegal content.
- However, deputy spokesman Nathawat Chancharoen from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) denied that the council had given an order to block the social media giant. There's no need for the NCPO to block Facebook. And even if we wanted to, we would have to make an announcement first, he said.
- On May 29th the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) claimed that Facebook faced a technical failure at its Internet gateway. The Junta claims it responded quickly by ordering the Information and Communications Technology Ministry to fix the problem at the gateway.
We had a meeting with Internet service providers [ISPs] and found some technical problems at the gateway. The error has been fixed and the service has resumed, NCPO spokesman Winthai Suvaree said in a televised statement.
Surachai Srisaracam, permanent secretary of the ICT Ministry, said the system had gone down because of overuse, but was unable to provide specific information about which gateways had failed.
- Also on May 29th Pol Maj Gen Pisit Pao-in, an adviser to ICT permanent secretary, said on May 31st senior ICT Ministry officials will travel to Singapore to discuss the issues with executives of Facebook and Google.
The ministry also plans to meet Line's executives in Japan, he said after a meeting with representatives of 19 internet service providers.
Pol Maj Gen Pisit Pao-in admitted he had personally met Facebook and Google's executives five times, and met Line executives in Japan three times, when he served as commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division. But the discussions failed to yield any results.
As the ICT authority commanded by the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO], we hope to get improved cooperation from them, he added...
In this country you always have to wait a few days - or even months - until you will get the truth.
TiT - This is Thailand.
Please read Wikipedia's description of a Banana Republic
Thailand's Coup d'état was carefully planned
- On May 22nd, the day of the coup, we claimed the coup was planned well in advance and was carefully prepared.
- In the months before the coup happened General Prayuth Chan-ocha always told that the army don't will stage a coup. On May 22nd he said that he decided (ad hoc) to stage the Coup d'état in the meeting room after caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri told him the Government wouldn't resign.
- Observers in Japan and Australia toady believes that despite Thailand's powerful military insisting for months it would not seize power to end Thailand's political crisis, the coup was carefully planned based on thorough intelligence and professionally executed across the entire nation.
- The new Thai Military Junta is looking more and more like the one that ruled Myanmar for years. Its official title - the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) - even seems to echo the name the Burmese generals picked for themselves in 1988: State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who said he had no option but to intervene to steer the country out of crisis and avoid further bloodshed, was one of the commanders of a 2006 coup to depose Mr Thaksin that was widely seen as a disastrous failure that damaged the military's reputation.
- The current coup seems to have been planned more carefully than the earlier one. It came in stages, with the army first declaring martial law and then two days later seizing the reins of the government. Certain specified broadcasters were shut down during the short martial law under orders which were later extended to most of the independent stations.
- This time the military government of General Prayuth Chan-ocha has spread its net far wider, not just detaining members of the cabinet and the Thaksin family, but retired generals thought to be sympathetic to the government and, more ominously, opinion leaders like academics and some journalists who have written in support of democracy in Thailand.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha has, for the moment, named himself as prime minister, and he has said the Junta will remain in power indefinitely. He seems more interested in some kind of long-term reconciliation than in restoring democracy any time soon.
This may be inevitable considering Thailand's difficult recent history with elections. Thailand doesn't need to restore democracy per se; it needs to develop a civil society in which elections count, and where the results are accepted by the country, both by the winners and the losers. That hasn't been the case in Thailand for a long time.
- Thailand's Junta offered little hope for early elections, saying the conditions in the divided nation had to be right before returning to civilian rule.
- An interim government will be formed in time to administer the state budget for the next fiscal year, but elections are at least 15 months away, coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.
- Never forget what General Prayuth Chan-ocha said a few days ago:
You may wonder if we are competent or not; I would say with determination I can do everything.
- Australia is reducing its interaction with Thailand's military and its leadership, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said today.
Three planned activities had already been postponed due to the coup.
The Australian government continues to have grave concerns about the actions of the military in Thailand, Ms Bishop said in a statement with Defence Minister David Johnston.
- US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said at a top Asian security conference in Singapore we urge the Royal Thai Armed Forces to release those who have been detained, end restrictions on free expression, and move immediately to restore power to the people of Thailand, through free and fair elections. Until that happens, and as US law requires, the Department of Defense (DoD) is suspending and reconsidering US military assistance and engagements with Bangkok.
As mentioned before, General Prayuth Chan-ocha already announced the new military regime planned to work towards returning the nation of 67 million people to democracy in around 15 months.
- Nipit Intarasombat, the deputy leader of the Democrat Party, supports the Junta. He claims that the one-year timeframe for national reform announced by the coup-makers is not too long.
The Democrat Party is the home of Bangkok's Elite and a long time ally with Thailand's Military. The Party also supported Suthep Thaugsuban and his People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).
Please read Time to Think too
Coup Leader launched his very own TV Show
- Coup Leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha launched his very own TV Show. The show, dubbed Returning Happiness to the People, is a weekly show and has to be broadcasted by all Radio and TV station in the country..
Col Sirichan Ngathong, the deputy spokeswoman for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said that the General will use the programme to discuss the work done by his administration over the previous week and clarify issues in the public interest.
The General will not answer questions from the public, she said.
On his first show on Friday, May 30th, the General explained why the military seized power from the caretaker government on May 22nd, 2014.
He laid out three steps toward restoring a fully elected government:
- forming an interim government before October
- establishing a national assembly to carry out reforms
- holding a national election
The process would take 15 to 18 months, the General said.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of Thailand's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), says that Thai people have been suffering for nine years but from May 20th until now people are happier...
- During the General's TV Show all my neighbours shot down their TV sets.
A lady told me, the General can urge the TV Station to broadcast his show, but he can not urge the people to attend the show.
- The United States has dismissed the plan laid out by Thailand's military chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha to delay elections for more than a year to allow time for political reforms.
- Thousands of police and troops will be deployed today to prevent protests at Bangkok's Ratchaprasong intersection, the King Taksin Monument, the Thepharak intersection, the Victory Monument, the Democracy Monument, the Laksi Monument, Central Bang Na, and at Seacon Square on Srinakharin Road. Bangkok's shopping district will be closed. Traffic on the four roads leading to Victory Monument will be also closed from 4pm until the rally there ends.
The Ratchaprasong intersection, where several major shopping malls and hotels are located, are the centre of the operations against protesters today.
- Because of the May 22nd Military Coup, 62 countries have issued travel advisories for their citizens.
The United States, Spain, Italy, Finland, Russia, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Iran, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Croatia and Cyprus have told their people to avoid travelling to Thailand unless necessary.
Imagine if there was a War and Nobody Showed Up
- Yesterday General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) deployed about 6'000 police and soldiers at eight locations around Bangkok and the Ratchaprasong intersection to ensure demonstrations against last month's coup cannot take place.
Accidentally no protesters turned up at the Ratchaprasong Intersection, prompting the Junta to reduce the number of police from four companies to three and the number of troops from nine companies to four.
Nevertheless, the Police was able to arrest an about 50-year old woman. She wore a white mask with the word "People" written on it...
About 100 protesters decided to gather inside and outside the Terminal 21 Mall at Asoke intersection, a site unatended by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
A combined police and military force moved to the area about 20 minutes after the gathering.
It forced Terminal 21 management to close the mall and order customers out as scores of police and helmeted soldiers with riot shields took positions nearby.
Two army trucks, including a Humvee mounted with a machine-gun, parked on a street outside, but moved away after crowds booed them.
- Col Weerachon Sukondhapatipak, a deputy army spokesman, said that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is unconcerned by the latest anti-coup reaction from the United States and Australia.
The Thai military understood the moves by its allies and was trying to use all means available to explain why the coup was necessary. Thai-US military ties go back 180 years and more than 60 years between the Thai and Australian armed forces. The Thai military hopes foreign governments will understand and review their measures in spite of their current downgrading of cooperation, he said.
- The American University Alumni Association (AUAA) slammed Washington for criticising the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s road map and pressuring the Junta to immediately hold elections.
Khunying Songsuda Yodmani, AUAA's president, warned the US government. It should not make any statements that interfere with Thailand's internal affairs, she said.
Dr Suvit Yodmani, an AUAA board member and former tourism and sports minister, claims the US secretary of state's previous statements on the May 22 coup showed a lack of understanding of Thailand's internal problems.
- The Junta organized its first reconciliation event at Piyanon village in Pathum Thani.
Running from 09:30 till noon, the event was open to everyone, and Army officials provided a free barber service, health checks, desserts, drinks and staged a concert.
The event got a cool response.
Obviously the Junta leaders have to understand that it's not possiple to decree reconciliation.
Airline Bookings To Thailand Nosedive After May 22nd
- Airline bookings to Thailand have collapsed after the military took over the government on May 22nd, 2014.
Thailand's tourism sector accounts for 10 per cent of the country's economy.
Figures released by PATA shows that on May 19th there were around 28'000 inbound bookings for Thailand a day. On May 23, the daily tally was 5'000 cancellations.
The political unrest as well as the curfew and the coup deterred visitors.
It shows that an old truism is still alive: Many tourists are evading countries controlled by a Military Junta.
- On May 28th, 2014, Thailand's Army errected a fence on disputed border land near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple.
According to Cambodian foreign affairs spokesman Koy Kuong, the fence violates the MoU [memorandum of understanding] from 2000 over the Preah Vihear temple site.
The 2000 agreement says that the area has to remain status quo, meaning that there can be no development in that area.
While the temple complex falls inside Cambodia, there has long been a dispute with Thailand over ownership of an area of border land adjacent to it.
In November, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled that Cambodia's sovereignty extended to all of the natural promontory bearing the monument, but rejected Cambodia's claim to a nearby hill.
According to international observers, last weeks action is just an addition to a long list of provocations carried out by Thailand's Army since the temple was awarded world heritage status by the United Nations cultural body UNESCO during July 2008.
- Thailand's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministry insists it will no longer intervene in social media operations, but it will ask the public to avoid sending or texting provocative messages and content.
The ministry scrapped its plan to meet executives of Facebook and Google in Singapore and Line executives in Japan.
Pol Gen Pisit Pao-in said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had no policy of blocking internet gateways or banning people from using social media as that would violate people's right to access the web and infringe on their privacy.
Nevertheless, the ICT Ministry would keep track of social media to prevent people using them to spreading provocative statements on websites, but the tracking will be in line with international law, Pol Gen Pisit Pao-in promised.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of Thailand's Military Junta, suggests that the country's economic and social development plan be amended so that the policy aims to boost gross national happiness. He assigned relevant state agencies to conduct a Happiness Index.
The commander expressed satisfaction at what the military has done since the May 22nd coup in a bid to bring about reconciliation between the feuding sides...
- Thailand's Military Rulers announced plans to kickstart the economy.
The dual-track railway project will go ahead, and the high-speed railway project will be subject to a new cost-benefit study.
The controversial two-trillion-Baht transport development project and the 350-billion-Baht water management scheme will also be reviewed.
It seems that the projects introduced by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra aren't that way bad as Bangkok's Elite claimed during Suthep Thaugsuban and his People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) deadly demonstrations.
Thailand's Constitutional Court, controlled by Bangkok's infamous' Elite, ruled the bill unconstitutional.
- The Hunger Games movies used a three-finger sign as an anti-coup symbol.
Do not use the three-finger sign in Thailand as long as the Military Junta is in power.
Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree said the NCPO would look at the intention of those holding up three fingers before they jail them. Military officers usually used compromise and negotiation with the protesters, but they would enforce the law and make arrests if find it necessary, he claimed.
- Thailand has expressed disappointment at Australia's decision to downgrade mutual relations, issue travel bans for highranking officers and cut defence cooperation after the military staged the coup.
On June 2nd, Col Weerachon Sukondhapatipak, a deputy army spokesman, said that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is unconcerned by the latest anti-coup reaction from the United States and Australia.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), today signed an announcement ending immediately the night curfew in Pattaya, Phuket and on Koh Samui.
- Yongyuth Mayalarp, the spokesman of the post-2006-coup government, has been appointed a spokesman team member of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Yongyuth Mayalarp said the NCPO Spokesman Team (no acronym released by Thailand's Army, but we recommend NCPOST. It's easy to remember...) would use the Website and Facebook page of the Government House to disseminate information from the Junta to the people. The Government House Website (1) or the Government House Website (2) will be updated in Thai and in English.
The three-finger salute drives the Junta crazy
- Thai demonstrators found a new way to express their protests against the military coup: The three-finger salute used in the wildly popular Hunger Games Movie.
In the fictional movie the salute is a gesture of solidarity.
In Thailand the salute is an unofficial symbol of resistance against the Military Junta.
A spokesperson of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said that the NCPO intends to crack down on any obvious form of resistance, and that they are monitoring the use of the three-fingered hand sign.
- Pruek Prueksunan, a red-shirt activist, flashed a three-finger salute to reporters as he entered the Army Club to report to the Military Junta.
According to Winthai Suwaree, one of the few spokesmen of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the military would first consider the intention of those holding up three fingers before deciding what action should be taken. Those showing defiance in a peaceful manner would be held for seven days and released, he said.
- Supporters of the Military Junta claim the three-fingered salute signifies the ills of the deposed government, and not resistance to the takeover...
We are monitoring those who use this signal but have no plans to ban it yet, but if there are gatherings of five people or more doing this salute, then we will make arrests in some cases, deputy army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said.
- This coup was the latest convulsion in a decade-long conflict between the Bangkok-based royalist establishment, dominated by the military, old-money families and the bureaucracy, and supporters of Yingluck and her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who are adored by the poor in the north and northeast.
- Niran Phitakwatchara, chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has advised the coup makers to comply with international human rights standards in handling anti-coup activities.
The lady who was forced into a taxi by plainclothes police officers after allegedly flashed three-finger signs in a schocking movie published on youtube was released yesterday with five fellow protesters.
They all had to sign documents stating they will not engage in political protests while martial law is in place.
- Gothom Arya of Mahidol University's Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies as well as some other academics believe that ordering critics of the coup to report to the military will create a climate of fear, not reconciliation.
Gothom Arya suggested the military should abandon its rigidity and discuss with others how to draft a concise statute which specifies clear electoral rules.
The behavior of the Generals shows that they miss any understanding of basic psychology.
- The British Embassy in Thailand announced yesterday that it had cancelled the reception to celebrate the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II on June 11 at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok because of the current situation in Thailand.
The UK already voiced concern about the deterioration of the democratic environment in Thailand and issued travel warnings for its citizens.
- According to National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) 333 satellite TV channels, 211 pay TV channels and 24 IPTV channels, six analog free TV channels and 23 digital TV channels are back on Thailand's screens.
98 satellite TV channel operators are still waiting for approval from the NBTC and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to resume operations.
13 satellite TV channels and the digital Voice TV channel, owned by the Shinawatra family, remain banned.
7'300 radio stations were banned by the Generals order and are still off air.
Coup hits Cambodian Casinos
- It seems that Thai gamblers have lost their appetite (or their money) for gambling in Cambodian casinos after May 22nd, 2014.
Kim Ledaro, managing director of Crown Resorts Co in a Cambodian border town in Banteay Meanchey province, claims that visitors from Thailand have sharply dropped since the coup.
Before the coup was announced usually about 1'500 Thais went through Poipet's checkpoint. Since May 22nd only about 700 Thais cross the border.
At the moment of writing, it is not known if the missing gamblers are engaged in the coup or not.
- Yongyuth Mayalarp, a spokesman for the military's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), claims that China and Vietnam have expressed support for Thailand's new military government.
Bangkok-based royalist establishment, dominated by the military, gets support from Communist Countries - funny, isn't it?
Myanmar understands the situation faced by Thailand. It will not interfere in its internal affairs, but will support Thailand within the ASEAN community framework, Yongyuth Mayalarp said.
The Military Junta badly needs international understanding. Many countries around the world have expressed their disapproval over the action taken by Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha in staging the military coup against an elected caretaker government.
- The organisers of the Chiangmai Golf Classic postponed the US$750'000 Asian Tour tournament because of the current political situation.
The Chiangmai Golf Classic was scheduled at the Alpine Golf Resort Chiangmai from July 3-6, 2014. There is some hope that the event will be reactivated later this year.
- Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannametee announced the ministry would visit all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to explain the political situation in Thailand.
- According to a source within the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), all 200 members of the new National Legislative Assembly (NLA ?), the coupmakers' new parliament, are likely to be appointed.
The NCPO will also appoint 150 members to a planned National Reform Council.
- Korea's popular boyband Shinhwa decided to cancel its first concert in Thailand at Bangkok's Asiatique the Riverfront because of the current political situation.
Military Junta Exempts Full Moon Party From Curfew
- In an announcement issued today by the military command in Surat Thani province, the military said that the Full Moon Party has no connection to politics, demonstrations, or violation of previous announcements by the National Council of Peace and Order in any way.
Therefore, the military has agreed to lift the curfew over Haad Rin Beach on Koh Pha Ngan island, where the dusk-till-dawn party will be held from June 9th until June 13th, as requested by the party's organisers.
Nevertheless, the rest of Koh Pha Ngan island will remain under the military's midnight to 04:00 curfew.
- Football fans in Thailand have to watch the World Cup tournament at home due to the curfew - unless they are in tourist areas where the restriction has been lifted.
Winthai Suwaree, one of the few spokesmen of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said that the curfew helps people go back home early to stay with their families. If we want to watch the World Cup, doing it at home is okay. So all family members can cheer their favourite team(s).
The kick-off match starts on June 12th at 17:00 in Sao Paolo. It will be at 02:00 (on Friday) in Thailand. The earliest matches during the one-month tournament start at 13:00 in Brazil, or 23:00 in Thailand.
Be aware: Brazil has 3 time zones (Brasilia, +1 Brasilia, Brasilia -1).
- Today, at about 22:00, Thailand's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifted curfew in Phetchburi's Cha-am district, Prachuab Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district, Krabi and Pang Nga provinces, effective immediately.
- Despite pleas from the tourist industry, a spokesperson of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) said Thais should not expect the nationwide curfew to be wholly-lifted any time soon.
- The Military Junta has kicked off an international public relations offensive. It's the Generals approach to tackle criticism from the West and to improve Thailand's post-coup global standing.
According to permanent secretary for foreign affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who has assumed the responsibilities of an acting foreign minister, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has set a clear plan for implementation of its three-stage plan - reconciliation, reform and elections - to return electoral democracy over the next 15 months.
- Arnupap Gaesornsuwan, director-general of the Tourism Department under the Tourism and Sports Ministry, says that tourist arrivals in Thailand continued to fall last month.
Neverteless, the Tourism Department is optimistic that full-year numbers will exceed their original target after the Junta lifted the curfew in some popular travel destinations, he claims.
Statistics from the Tourism Department shows that tourist arrivals in May totalled 1'736'744, down 10.7% compared with the same period last year.
In the first five months of 2014 tourist arrivals reached 10'357'388, a drop of 5.9% from a year earlier.
The Tourism Department expects tourist arrivals by the end of the year to reach 26.3 million once the NCPO approves more stimulus measures during the remaining part of the year, Arnupap Gaesornsuwan believes.
The NCPO's removal of the curfew in Phuket, Koh Samui and Pattaya has put the tourism industry back on track, he said.
The ministry's statistics claim that visits increased by 30.3% from Laos, 14.1% from Britain, 7.8% from Vietnam and 3.8% from Australia.
Spending rose by 14.1% among Swiss tourists, 12.9% by French and 3.5% by Germans.
Occupation rates here in Pattaya speak another language.
Staffs at many hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues in this city got the boot.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said foreigners visiting the country need to realise that laws must be obeyed. Thailand isn't a place where anyone can do what they like.
- Sita Divari, a close friend of Pantongtae Shinawatra, resigned as the chairman of Airports of Thailand (AoT).
He will be replaced soon by a close friend of the Military. Watch the AoT site.
TiT (This is Thailand).
We don't like Boot Lickers
- After declaring the coup on May 22nd, 2014, Junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered the arrest of the officials attending the meeting, including Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, a former Prime Minister.
Only a few hours later, on May 23rd at 00:20, the Junta released Abhisit Vejjajiva.
On May 25th Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva posted a message on his Facebook page, issuing an apology for failing to defend democracy. I am sorry that I could not push for reforms under the constitution and could not protect democracy, he wrote.
A few days later Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced support for the NCPO's concept for a Reconciliation Centre for Reforms (RCR) to defuse conflict at grassroots level. He said using the bottom-top approach in wooing support from the grassroots and dissolving conflict might help bridge the national divide and bring about reconciliation the NCPO's top agenda.
On May 29th Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s move to set up reconciliation for reform centres to end colour-coded divisions and foster unity among people must not be used to come to compromises or reach bargains. It must not lead to an amnesty for political offenders.
On June 4th Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called on the Junta to allow transparency in the 2015 fiscal budget that might exceed Bt2 trillion.
On June 5th Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Thursday called on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to cap the cooking gas' retail price at the level of the cost. He said the people should be allowed to buy cooking at the cost price instead of paying for the retail prices that distributors could make profits.
- Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said that members of the Junta have to declare their assets in their capacity as military leaders according to law.
The 1999 National Anti-Corruption Law authorises NACC to scrutinise the assets of politicians and high-ranking officials, but there is no specific law aimed at getting coup makers to declare their assets, despite the fact that Thailand had 19 successful or attempted coups since 1932...
- A military court yesterday granted bail to former education minister Chaturon Chaisang on condition that he take no part in political gatherings or travel overseas without permission.
The court also told him to refrain from expressing political views that can be deemed provocative, either orally or in writing.
Chaturon was arrested on May 27th, 2014, after he defied a summons from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and decided to hold a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. He also faces charges of instigating unrest.
- Junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha pomises that the procurement projects and refurbishment projects of weapons would go in line with the development plans and there would be no corruption.
Thailand's Army would be the world's first and only military organisation procuring weapons free of corruption.
Ready for Guinness' Book of Records...
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha said the traditional values of being Thai need to be reinforced, especially through the school system.
- Interrogating security officers told me You lie! We have information about you!, Kengkit Kitirianglarp, a political science lecturer at Chiang Mai University and a long-time leftist activist, reports.
They tried to accuse me of many crimes and link me to many people, Kengkit Kitirianglarp claims.
Please click here to read the report.
Police and Soldiers deployed to Skytrain Stations
- In a move to handle planned anti-coup protests General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced that 2'000 police and 4'000 soldiers would be deployed to all Skytrain stations across Bangkok. Skywalks connecting BTS stations and shopping malls would be under close watch.
The deployments are aimed at maintaining peace and order, Deputy police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said and added that building owners who allow demonstrators to gather on their premises would face legal action for violating orders issued by the Military Junta.
Winthai Suwaree, Deputy spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), called on people to reconsider protests and cooperate with authorities by avoiding rallies and causing turmoil in the country.
The Junta already warned that it could take stricter measures against protests on the eve of a possible rally to demand the armed forces go back to their barracks and return power to civilians.
Since May 22nd, the authorities have blocked 553 websites and closed down 40 community radio broadcasters nationwide.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Thailand's devil of a fellow and the chief of the Military Junta, will also chair a new 18-person Board of Investment (BoI) which he appointed yesterday.
Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Prajin Juntong and Gen Chatchai Sarikallaya , two of his Deputies, also sit on the board.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced today that he is now the chairman of a committee to oversee the nation's energy and petroleum policies.
Deputy leaders of the NCPO were also appointed as top members of this body.
- General Paiboon Khumchaya, one of many Deputies of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), ordered narcotics officials to stop boasting about the quantity of drugs they seize and instead focus on targeting drug peddler kingpins to curb the flow of narcotics in the country.
The focus should be on the quality of police work when it comes to executing narcotics policy - and not on quantity.
- Today at about 19:30 the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifted the curfew in Koh Chang of Trat province, Hat Yai of Songkhla province and Koh Pangan of Surat Thani province.
Keep your Eyes on your Colleagues
- M.L. Panadda Diskul, the permanent secretary of the Prime Minister's Office and a deputy permanent secretary for interior, urged Government Officials to report to the Prime Minister's Office if they know any colleague who is carrying out activities or expresses ideas that are considered a threat to national security.
- New orders from the Office of Basic Education of Thailand (OBEC), bans criticism of the Military Junta in all Thai public schools.
The new education guidelines prohibit public school officials from participating in political protests or hosting any demonstrations or political seminars in their schools. Teachers are asked to encourage students and their families to avoid all political demonstrations.
Teachers must cooperate with and support the mission of the NCPO in every level. Teach lessons must be in compliance with the democratic regime with the King as Head of State that focus on the creation of reconciliation.
Kamol Rordklai, the deputy secretary from the Office of Basic Education of Thailand (OBEC), said that he is considering revising school textbooks to reinforce a sense of patriotism among schoolchildren in support of the NCPO's reconciliation project.
We will improve modules in history, citizen duty, and morality, in accordance with NCPO's policy, so that the children will know about unity and love for their country, Mr. Kamol Rordklai announced.
- The Army forced students from Khon Kaen University to sign an agreement to stop anti-coup activities.
The military has summoned academics and student activists, and deployed troops at campuses of Mahasarakham University and Ubon Ratchathani University.
It seems that the Junta has a close watch at universities in the North East.
- Returning Happiness to the People is a song released by Thailand's Army to promote the military's ongoing campaign to restore happiness to the Thai public.
According to the commander of the army marching band Col. Kritsada Sarika, coup-leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha spent one hour writing the song before submitting the lyrics to a team of musicians who composed its melody.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has barred independent agencies such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) from publicly scrutinising the Military Junta's operations.
On May 24th the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) already ordered all Courts, independent organizations and other agencies to refrain from expressing opinions which might create misunderstanding, confusion and polarization among the public such that it affects the functioning of the officers of the NCPO.
- Who's going to check the generals?
All Water Management-related Projects Suspended
- An urgent National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) directive suspended all water management-related projects to allow for the schemes to be revised.
The 350-billion-Baht water management programme evolved from the disastrous floods of 2011.
The order affects all plans and projects that have been approved, are being implemented or are in the pipeline.
Col Winthai Suvaree, a well-known deputy spokesman of the NCPO, said that the National Council for Peace and Order wants to revise the plans.
- Military Junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha says the Junta will carefully revise different state projects and schemes in a transparent and impartial manner, and promised there will be no corruption, but it will be difficult to attain a win-win situation, he added.
You remember, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has barred independent agencies from publicly scrutinising the Military Junta's operations.
- On May 28th about 30 million Facebook accounts in the country were suspended.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) permanent secretary Surachai Srisarakam said he had received an order from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to temporarily deny access to Facebook.
However, deputy spokesman Nathawat Chancharoen from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) denied that the council had given an order to block the social media giant.
Since yesterday we know the truth: In an e-mail Telenor Asia vice-president Tor Odland wrote to Aftenposten, a Norwegian newspaper, he mentioned that DTAC was ordered to restrict its customers from accessing Facebook on May 28 by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
As we wrote before: In this country you always have to wait a few days until you will know the truth.
- Suthep Thaugsuban, once known as Bangkok's Dictator, has to undergo surgery to treat chronic pain in his right shoulder. According to his doctor(s), Suthep has raised his right arm too often during the more than six months of the PDRC's anti-government protests.
We recommend the doctor(s) to check Suthep's brain too. With all the sh*t he released during the last ten years, something in his head could to be damaged too....
- About 120 soldiers were deployed in Loei's Wang Saphung district to guard six villages where tensions between villagers and the local Tungkum Co gold mining operation have been rising.
Lt Col Worawut Samran, chief of the 1st Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Regiment, said that we will be here until the villages are in peace and order, until we know the truth of the conflict and until we are sure that the villagers are safe.
On the night of May 15th, 300 unidentified armed men captured and beat up villagers guarding a concrete barrier they built to block access to the mine over concerns about its environmental and health impacts. More than 40 villagers were injured during the battle.
The villagers believe the attack involved a senior army officer who worked for Loei provincial administration organisation. The army summoned two senior officers suspected of involvement in the attack.
- It seems that the planned high-cost high-speed trains will be shelved by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
The four high-speed train development projects, costing more than 700 billion Baht, will be put on hold as questions remain concerning the projects' appropriateness and benefits as well as economic viability.
- Police in Bangkok have arrested seven protesters who expressed their defiance of the military coup with the forbidden 3-finger salute at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall last Sunday...
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ordered the reinstatement of three laws regulating elections, political parties and referendums. The suspension of the House of Representatives and Senate Elections Act was now lifted but elections would remain on hold until reconciliation and reform efforts are complete, the Junta said.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) prepares a major overhaul of the country's energy pricing structure to ensure fair energy prices...
In his television programme Return Happiness to the Public on Friday evening General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that the NCPO will revise the energy pricing structure to find the best ways to ensure fairness to all.
Thailand's energy giant PTT Plc immediately responded and said a free market should be the key element of energy reform pushed by the Junta, with market forces ruling the energy sector and not populist policies.
Military Dictatorship is threatening Press Freedom
- Thailand's well-known television host Pinyo Traisuriyathamma decided to stop producing Amarin Newsnight, a week-old evening news show, due to the climate under Military Junta.
We have prepared the new show for months, but the coup has changed internal and external situations. In order to maintain our standpoint and the principle of our profession I would like to end Amarin Newsnight as of now, Pinyo Traisuriyathamma said.
- The editor of Fah Diew Kan (Same Sky) magazine postponed the quarterly publication due to concerns about pressure on its business partners as a result of the May 22nd coup.
Fah Diew Kan magazine has been closely monitored, creating a climate of fear among all groups involved in the production process, editor Thanapol Eiwsakul wrote in a statement.
- A well-known anti-coup tweeter, operating under the name @JJ_Sathorn or Jaran Ampornklinkaew on Twitter, was summoned by the National Council for Peace and Order on June 9th, 2014.
He has since deleted all the tweets he had made over the years...
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ended the free flying benefits for the board members of Thai Airways International (THAI).
The same policy of ending board privileges to save the state budget is also on the pipeline for other state-owned agencies, Ampon Kittiampon, a THAI board member and the cabinet's secretary-general, said.
- On June 10th Chalard Vorachat, a former Democrat Party MP, a retired air force officer and, allegedly, a veteran hunger striker took legal action against the Military Junta and its leader, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, accusing them of insurrection and lese majeste.
Chalard Vorachat arrived at Bangkok's Ratchada Criminal Court with his lawyer to file a case against seven members of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), 20 permanent secretaries and the judge advocate general.
The 71-year-old former politician claims they all broke the law in declaring martial law and seizing power from the government.
Martial law can be imposed when the country is at war. It can also be imposed in specific areas where violence erupts. The military acted without seeking royal endorsement and approval from the cabinet first, he said.
As expected, Thailand's Criminal Court the very same day dismissed the lawsuit filed by veteran hunger striker Chalard Vorachat against General Prayuth Chan-ocha and 26 other individuals he accused of insurrection and lese majeste under Sections 83, 86, 112 and 133 of the Criminal Code.
The court stated in its dismissal order that it does have the power to accept the case for consideration, since the alleged offences began before the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) came to power.
However, since the alleged offences, which concern national security, were made directly against the state, it is the state that is the damaged party, not Mr Chalard even though he claimed his rights and liberties had been affected.
Since Mr Chalard is not the damaged party under Section 2 (4) of the Criminal Procedures Code, he had no power to file the case under Section 28 of the same law, Thailand's Criminal Court declares.
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- On Mai 30th we reported that on May 28th about 30 million Facebook accounts in the country were suspended.
As usual in this country nobody, was responsible for the incident...
- A few days later Telenor Asia vice-president Tor Odland revealed that DTAC was ordered to restrict its customers from accessing Facebook on May 28 by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
- Today Thailand's Newspapers (had to) write, that Dtac is in a hot seat after Telenor's comment...
Col Settapong Malisuwan, vice chairman of the NBTC, announced that the NBTC would thoroughly scrutinise Dtac's shareholding structure and if it finds any cause to believe the company might have violated the 49% foreign shareholding rule, it would ban Dtac from taking part in the 4G frequency auction.
In fact we are setting up a panel to examine Dtac's shareholding. If we find some inconsistencies we'll take legal action, not just ban it from the 4G auction, he said.
Col Settapong Malisuwan also said that Telenor Asia's announcement was inappropriate and disrespectful of Thailand's rules during this difficult time. Telenor should consider investing elsewhere if Thailand presents too much trouble for its business, he said.
Pol.Maj.Gen Amnuay Nimmano, Deputy Commander of Bangkok Metropolitan Police, went as far as warning the public that liking Facebook pages which criticise the military coup could be considered a criminal offense.
It was reported that more than 100 Facebook accounts were blocked, after the incident on May 28th, 2014.
- Update: Col Settapong Malisuwan claims: DTAC's statement has caused extensive damage to the regulator's image. We want the company to take responsibility by clarifying exactly who ordered Facebook to be blocked. Telenor's statement contains misleading information. I want DTAC chief executive Jon Eddy Abdullah, chairman Boonchai Bencharongkul and Telenor Asia head Sigve Brekke to bear full responsibility and clarify which NBTC commissioners ordered the block.
The NBTC had never ordered Facebook to be blocked as reported by a Telenor executive, the vice chairman of the NBTC insists.
- International investors will write it into their notebooks that it isn't opportune in this country to tell the truth.
Thailand's Military Junta is wooing China
- General Surasak Kanchanarat, a deputy permanent secretary for defence, led a military delegation for China to reinforce military relations in the wake of the coup.
The visit was at the invitation of Lt Gen Wang Guanzhong, China's deputy chief-of-staff of the Chinese army.
Thailand's Military Junta is cultivating close ties with China amid criticism by Western countries of the coup led by army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha on May 22, 2014.
The United States suspended US$3.5 million in military assistance for Thailand, cancelled an ongoing military exercise and planned visits by officials, recommended that US citizens reconsider any non-essential travel to Thailand and urged the Military to end the coup.
Britain and many Western countries condemned the coup and announced to review their relationships with Thailand.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), assured a Chinese business delegation at Royal Thai Army headquarters in Bangkok that it is safe to invest in Thailand.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha assured the Chinese business delegation that an interim government would be established in three months and that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would ensure that the administration was free from corruption.
Thailand will be China's strategic partner at all levels of cooperation for a long time, the General promised.
- The screening of Nineteen Eighty-Four has been cancelled in Thailand after police warned it breached a ban on political gatherings...
Nineteen Eighty-Four is a film version of George Orwell's anti-authoritarian novel.
The Military's take over of the Administration isn't a Coup
- Werachon Sukondhapatipak, a spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), told a packed audience at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) don't call it a coup. The May 22nd military action this time is totally different from the previous successful coups since the 1932 takeover.
Normally the civilian government sets up a civilian government, but now the military will restore peace and order, reconciliation, then elections and other systems to strengthen democracy, he told the politely smiling audience.
Despite the military intervention in seizing the administration of the country, Thailand still wanted to be a member of the international community, and that was why the military would like to seek mutual understanding from the foreign media as well as diplomats.
Werachon Sukondhapatipak emphasised that those detained were not political prisoners but people who broke the law and needed to adjust their attitude. There were 10 to 15 of them, he said.
It seems the NCPO arranged the meeting with the FCCT to keep the Foreign Correspondents happy and laughing and give them ideas for new jokes.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced that a total of 160 cinemas across the country will allow free admission for the 11:00 screening of a new movie dubbed The Legend of King Naresuan 5 on June 15th, 2014.
The film tells a dramatised version of the 16th century Ayutthaya King fighting to free his country from the Burmese.
The film would boost patriortism and make the people happy, the NCPO spoesman said.
The free screening of the patriotic historical movie should not be called populism, a Military Junta spokesman said and added that the private sector who showed their kindness for the public interest for the Thai people.
- To make the people happy Thailand's ruling Junta has ordered TV regulators to ensure that football fans will not have to pay to watch any matches at the World Cup.
Therefore all 64 World Cup matches will be broadcast on free-to-air television following an agreement between the National Broadcasting and telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and RS Plc, the holder of Thai broadcasting rights for the World Cup.
The NBTC said it would use funds from the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research Development Fund for the Public Interest (BTFP) to subsidise the cost of broadcasting. The NBTC has to pay a total of 427.015 million Baht.
Senior mass communication academic Somkiat Onwimon says the decision to pay 427 million Baht to ensure free TV broadcasts of all World Cup 2014 soccer matches is inappropriate.
The entertainment-oriented spending is a waste and it facilitate improper activities. Not even the national economy would benefit, he claims.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s transport strategy committee has approved a 3-trillion-Baht infrastructure development plan.
That's one trillion Baht more than the planned infrastructure spending projects of the previous government...
Opponents of the Yingluck Shinawatra government cited Yingluck's project populist. The Constitution Court even ruled that the bill to allow the Finance Ministry to seek 2 trillion Baht in loans for infrastructure development projects was unconstitutional.
- To keep journalist happy and smiling the pro-coup Thai alumni from Melbourne University gathered in front of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok and submitted a letter to the Australian government protesting the country's criticism of the coup d'etat.
They urged the Australian government to reconsider its recent downgrade of relations between Thailand and Australia...
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is launching a nationwide crackdown on extortion rackets preying taxis, motorcycle taxis and passenger vans.
Lt Gen Thirachai Nakwanich, the chief of the NCPO's peace-keeping force, the Police, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Interior Ministry and the Land Transport Department, warned suspected extortionists, some of who are men in uniform, to behave or they would be summoned. The NCPO has a list of suspected extortionists, he claims.
Lt Gen Thirachai Nakwanich said General Prayuth Chan-ocha is concerned about passengers who are being overcharged.
- Red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana is crying foul over the military's approach to stamp out colour-coded political groups in the northeastern province.
The Military's approach is unlikely to bring about national reconciliation because the red shirts feel they are treated unfairly.
The Military see us as an enemy. The people can sense it. It will be like a time bomb, he said.
Military Court approved further detention of red-shirt activist Sombat Boonngamanong at the Bangkok Remand Prison for 12 days. The anti-coup activist faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of incitement, computer crimes and ignoring a summons by the Junta, police said.
Sombat Boonngamanong led a social media campaign to stage peaceful but illegal rallies against the Junta.
Prasopchoke Prommul, deputy commander of the police's crime suppression division, said that Sombat has been charged with inciting unrest, violating the computer crime act and defying an order by the Junta to turn himself in.
If found guilty, Sombat Boonngamanong faces seven years in jail for incitement, five years for spreading false information over the Internet and two years for ignoring the summons.
Thailand's Junta is currently holding between 10 and 15 people for, what the Military calls, Cooling Off.
Interim Government by August or September
- Thailand's strong man, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), told his audiences during his Friday TV speak dubbed as Return Happiness to the Public, that a Government will be set up by August, or at the very latest September.
He also told in his address that a temporary constitution would be drafted within three months, but it would take at least a year until a new general election could be held.
- Observers believe that it isn't possible to draft a new constitution within three months only, even if it would be a 'temporary' one - unless the Military already prepared one in advance, during the time they prepared the coup.
- Observers believe that the new Government will be formed during September and not in August. General Prayuth Chan-ocha is scheduled to retire from his army post in September 2014. After his retirement he easily can take over the post of the Prime Minister.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha took over as head of the army in October 2010 and is seen as a staunch royalist. He always favoured a tough stance against the Red Shirt protest movement supporting populist former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the government of his sister Yingluck.
- Keeping in mind the General's aversion, it's no surprise that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is still hunting supporters of the Red Shirts as well as people not sharing the Generals ideas.
Late Friday night the NCPO ordered six more people to report to the military Saturday morning. They comprise northern red shirt movement leaders and an academic critical of the monarchy.
A few hours before a military staff judge advocate asked the Police Crime Suppression Division to seek court approval for 21 arrest warrants. Pheu Thai Party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan is among 21 people who may face arrest for defying orders to report to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) over the past three weeks.
- Under new orders from the Office of Basic Education of Thailand (OBEC), criticism of the Military Junta is now banned in all Thai public schools. Thai schoolchildren have to be re-educated under the Junta's new guideline.
- A group of United Nations experts in Geneva yesterday issued a statement calling on the Military Junta to end arbitrary detentions and restrictions on fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
Public criticism of authorities and the freedom of the Thai media are negatively affected by various measures, including the closure of a vast number of community radio stations.
- Sombat Boonngamanong, a prominent red-shirt figure facing up to 14 years in prison if convicted of incitement, computer crimes and ignoring a summons by the Junta, said on Friday morning that he wants to be part of the reconciliation process, asking his followers to be more subtle when showing their opposition to the Junta.
He told his supporters and the media in the visiting cell at the Bangkok Remand Prison that instead of gathering against the coup, protesters should show their opposition to the coup by wearing red shirts every Sunday.
You must not consult him, you'd better consult me
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha gave a stern warning to government officials and politicians that they must not meet or consult him - an indirect reference to Thaksin.
Either politicians or whoever, you must not consult him. It's not your duty. It's over now. You'd better consult me, instead. No need to consult an outsider any more. If you still continue consulting an outsider, just go and live with him. I'm warning you. I already warned the one who gives advice and he said he would stop, the General told his audience at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on June 13th, 2014.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) asked former premier Yingluck Shinawatra to limit her public appearances, particularly visits to department stores. She was recently seen at department stores with people taking pictures and uploading them to their Facebook and Twitter accounts. This could stoke anti-coup feelings, the source within the NCPO said.
Apparently the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) asked Thaksin Shinawatra to cease meeting his supporters who travel to meet him abroad and to tell fugitive red-shirt leader Jakrapob Penkair to back off from a move to form an anti-coup organisation-in-exile. The NCPO claims that Thaksin agreed and told his supporters not to fly to meet him any more but to cooperate with the NCPO.
- After UN Experts on Human Rights issued a statement voicing concern over the detention of critics and people who opposed the takeover, Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow told the United Nations' human rights body that the detention of politicians, academics and activists under martial law has been eased...
- Just a day after the lifting of the nationwide curfew the Military Junta announced that the curfew may be reimposed in any area found to have security threats.
- The Telenor Group has issued an apology to the Junta and Thai telecom regulator for saying its dtac mobile phone operator was ordered to block Facebook.
The statement says: Thailand is currently under the administration of the NCPO. Thailand requires unity among its people and its many foreign friends who are operating in the country. The executives of Telenor Group and dtac would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the NBTC and NCPO. We will continue to strengthen our dialogue with the people of Thailand for the betterment of the country.
- The Chiang Rai Provincial Court has approved arrest warrants for three red shirt leaders. They are accused of masterminding the erection of banners on February 26th and 28th, 2014. The banners read: This country has no justice, we want to separate as Lanna country. The group also mobilised people to cheer on then-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She visited Chiang Rai on February 27th to follow up drugs suppression operations.
- Charoensri Hongprasong, the news production and programme director of NBT Channel 11, has been suspended. According to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) the station presented news in its 19:00 news programme on June 13th that were unacceptable to the NCPO.
NCPO Orders 14 and 18 prohibit radio and television stations from broadcasting news which may stir conflicts or resistance to the NCPO.
The suspension was issued on June 13th and signed by Chamlong Singtongam, director of the Radio and Television Station of Thailand, to support General Prayuth Chan-ocha's Return Happiness to the Public reconciliation program.
The U-Tapao Airport Saga
- U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield is a military airfield of the Royal Thai Navy located approximately 170 km southeast of Bangkok, near Sattahip on the Gulf of Siam. It's the home of the Royal Thai Navy First Air Wing.
During the Vietnam War U-Tapao was a military base for the United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers, known as Bi-hasip-sawng to the local people.
U-Tapao was a front-line base along with the other US bases at Korat, Udon, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom and Takhli.
The USAF B-52 made regular sorties over Thailand's eastern neighbors, especially North Vietnam, carrying an average of 108 bombs of 500 and 750 pounds per mission.
- During July 1992 A Rear Admiral announced that U-Tapao Airport will go commercial in 18 months.
- In our December 2008 issue we reported about U-Tapao's 'improved' passenger terminal and the announced name change to Pattaya International Airport (PIA).
- on September 2nd, 2009 Thailand Aviation reported that work is finally under way to upgrade U-Tapao Airport.
- On November 25th 2010 Tropical Beach reported that U-Tapao Pattaya International Airport has gained a budget of 900 million Baht to construct a new passenger terminal, parking areas and install a new traffic radar system.
- In our December 2010 issue we reported that the Royal Thai Navy refused the construction of a new passenger terminal at U-Tapao Airport.
- During October 2012 a committee chaired by the chairman of the Bank of Thailand recommends that U-Tapao military airport in Rayong should be upgraded to a commercial airport.
- In our February 2013 issue we reported that Thailand's Transport Ministry announced it is planning a second runway at U-Tapao Airport.
- In our June 2013 issue we had to report that the Royal Thai Navy opposes the government's plan to boost the commercial passenger capacity at U-Tapao Airport.
- On Novenber 9th, 2012 Pattaya Mail reported that construction on new U-Tapao terminal to begin in December 2012.
- On June 13th, 2014 Pattaya Mail reports that Already a year behind schedule, construction of a new passenger terminal at U-Tapao-Pattaya International Airport has stalled with no estimate on when work will begin again.
What happened with all that money mentioned above in the reports?
More than 180'000 Cambodian Workers flee Thailand
- Thailand and Cambodia agreed today to quash alleged rumours of a crackdown on illegal migrant workers by the Military Junta following the exodus of more than 180'000 Cambodian labourers.
The reports about shootings, the reports about other abuses are rumours and are not true, it's been taken out of context, Eat Sophea, the Cambodian ambassador to Thailand, said after a meeting with Sihasak Phuangketkeow, a foreign affairs permanent secretary for foreign affairs.
According to Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand announced last week only that it planned to legalise all alien workers so they would not continue to be victimised by human traffickers. Alien workers would be entitled to the same legal protection and welfare as Thai workers, he said...
- Today the Military Junta issued its 68th order, telling employers to speed up registration of their migrant workers. The registration was required to protect the workers themselves from being abused by human smuggling gangs. The registration would be carried out with cooperation with neighbouring countries and in accordance with human rights, labour rights, fairness, equality and humanity, the Junta claims.
The Junta announced both legal and disciplinary actions against government officials who cooperated with human smuggling gangs.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has no policy to crack down on migrant workers but its officials will visit all areas where there are illegal workers to learn of the real, accummulated problems stemming from the long mismanagement of alien labour, the NCPO's well-known deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree said an added that afterwards, solutions would be formulated and meted out for all relevant agencies to implement, covering all directions and dimensions and adhering to human rights principles and international standards of practice.
- The Military Junta has denied reports that authorities are employing heavy-handed tactics to crack down on undocumented migrant workers. Rumours the authorities have violently cracked down on alien workers are groundless, NCPO's chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha claims. A misunderstanding has caused panic, he says.
- The Labour Ministry announced to hand out leaflets in Myanmar, Lao and Cambodian languages to calm down fears of migrant workers and to explain the real situation and foreign labour policy of the Military Junta. The Junta claims to put in order all migrant workers so that they will get benefits and social welfare in accordance with the laws.
- Officials of the Ministry of Labour are trying to stop the exodus of undocumented foreign workers by assuring them there is no special purge planned to round them up and deport them.
- The Junta has ordered employers of foreign labour, especially in fishery and related businesses, to comply with the law so foreign workers can be properly protected.
- Acting under the authority of martial law, Chiang Rai's provincial immigration Police briefly detained 104 undocumented workers.
The 4th Infantry Regiment Taskforce is working with Tak immigration police in raids on undocumented Myanmar workers in Mae Sot.
- 83 undocumented Cambodian workers were arrested by a combined team of soldiers and railway police officers at Hua Hin train station on Sunday evening as they were waiting for a free train service to flee the country.
- Police formally took into custody 20 undocumented Cambodian migrant workers in Phichit's Pho Prathap Chang district.
According to Pol Lt Santi Suebklai, a duty officer at Pho Prathap Chang police station, says that the Cambodians wanted to notify police so they could be arrested and sent home.
One of them told police that they paid 3'000 Baht each to a job agent who promised them jobs at fish farms, but they were instead taken to a sugarcane plantation in Kamphaeng Phet province.
Because of news reports of police and military authorities cracking down on illegal workers, they were worried they could be shot dead if caught, the Police claims.
- Sirigorn Leardchayopit of the Raksthai Foundation claims that migrants from Myanmar are also panicking but have not yet left. Security officials are conducting searches in Samut Sakhon every night, causing Myanmar migrants to hide in temples and other places out of fear...
- Sar Kheng, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister claimed that after the military coup in Thailand, the Thai military leaders sent illegal Cambodian migrant workers in a rush without informing and discussing with Cambodia. Eight people even had been killed in traffic accidents linked to the exodus. I think that the current leaders of Thai Military Junta must be held accountable for what has happened. Cambodian migrants had helped boost the Thai economy. So when they deported them, there will be a problem.
- Fact is that Thais no longer take up manual-labour jobs and the few who do ask for several times the pay the Cambodians receive. Migrant workers were a vital element of Thailand's economy. Construction and fishery fails without cheap (while mostly illegal) migrant workers.
- Fact is too that about 1'000 Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand were rounded up from June 3rd to June 9th, before the Military Junta announced its new policy of dealing with illegal labour in the country.
More War to the People
- The Military Junta says its wants cinemas to organise more free screenings of the nationalist epic film, known as The Legend of King Naresuan 5, to keep boosting the Happiness to the Public.
According to Thailand's Newspapers tens of thousands of Thais enjoyed free admission to The Legend of King Naresuan 5 on Sunday morning.
People living in provinces without access to cinemas even appealed to the Military Junta to arrange outdoor screenings of the film.
At about 11:00 on June 15th, 2014, the film was screened at 160 cinemas nationwide.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) wants government lottery tickets to be sold fairly at their proper price of 40 Baht each, or 80 Baht per pair. At present lottery players have to pay between 100 and 110 Baht to the vendors, Farangs are charged up to 120 Baht per pair here in Pattaya.
The general ordered an investigation into why a pair of government lottery tickets with the printed price of 80 Baht are sold to individual buyers at 100-110 Baht.
According to Lottery vendors the selling price had soared because the 72 million lottery tickets printed for each draw were allocated to only a small number of wholesalers. They push up the resale price at will.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ordered the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to suspend four key projects, including the planned auction of 4G wireless broadband spectrum licences, and the distribution of subsidy vouchers for the purchase of digital TV set-top boxes.
The auction of new spectrum licences were to be delayed for a long time.
Nothing works smoothly and corectly in this country if its Elite and their freeloaders can smell some money...
- The Office of the Ombudsman held a discussion on how it can help push for the release of political activist Veera Somkwamkid, who was given an eight-year prison sentence by a Cambodian court over espionage charges.
Veera is the leader of Thailand's Patriot Network, a splinter group of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement. The group has strong connections to Bangkok's Elite and the Military.
He was arrested in December 2010 for illegally crossing a disputed Thai-Cambodian border area.
90% of Thai People love the NCPO - Police believe
- Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung, a deputy national police chief, says that an opinion surveys show that about 90% of Thai people support what the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is doing.
According to Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmoung, Police and Soldiers had handled demonstrators according to standard procedures, and operators of shops including 7-Eleven and McDonald's outlets cooperated well with authorities in the use of their security surveillance cameras to cope with demonstrators.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) invited foreign military attaches of 22 countries to explain the reasons the military felt it had to take over the country's administration on May 22, but only those from 18 countries turned up...
Col Veerachon Sukonthapatipak, a NCPO spokesman, told them that the army had to take over the country's administration to end the problems which had long accumulated. The army could not stay idle and see Thai people die or suffer from injuries as a result of the political conflict.
- 60-70 per cent of the Cambodian workers who fleed Thailand during the last few days were in the construction and agricultural sector in the East. Rayong had seen 30'000 documented Cambodian workers and possibly another 30'000 undocumented ones departing Thailand, Jeerasak Sukhonthachart, a permanent secretary for Labour, said.
The exodus affected all sectors, but especially agriculture and fisheries, followed by construction and tourism and hospitality, Chon Buri employment official Pichit Nilthongkham said.
Jeerasak Sukhonthachart claims the NCPO's crackdown was aimed not at individual workers but at human trafficking to punish procuring persons, the employers and benefit-reaping officials.
But Jeerasak Sukhonthachart didn't explain why officials arrested migrants and not the procuring persons...
The Labour Ministry announced it would launch a project to systematically move documented workers to the areas abandoned by the departed Cambodians, but the Thai-Cambodian Border Trade and Tourism Association of Chanthaburi province is predicting the Cambodian workers would return to Thailand within a few weeks because Thai wages are at least three times higher than those in Cambodia.
Fruit orchard owners in Rayong's Muang district claimed they had to hire Thai workers at 500 Baht a day - compared to the 300 Baht they - allegedly - paid to Cambodians...
Thai workers aren't as skilled in fruit-picking as the migrant workers we used to hire, so we get low-quality produce bringing down the price of fruit, Orchard-owner Somkuan Prangsri from Rayong said.
- Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), and other leaders of the movement reported to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and requested to delay the date for handing the case over to public prosecutors on grounds that the PDRC needed more time to find evidence...
- The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters has expressed concern over the recent closure of community radio stations in Thailand in the wake of the coup.
I earnestly urge the Thai military to let the community radios resume broadcast without further delay, Maica Lagman, president of AMARC Asia-Pacific, said.
- Thailand's Superman, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of the Military Junta, announced that he will head the new structure for administering the southern border provinces.
Thailand still allows human trafficking, slavery and gross human rights abuses, the United States claims
- The United States accused Thailand of still allowing human trafficking, slavery and gross human rights abuses, therefore the US downgrades Thailand's reputation to same level as Syria, Iran and North Korea.
Thailand is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. Anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts remains insufficient compared with the size of the problem in Thailand, and corruption at all levels hampers an improvement of the situation, the report says.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is ready to go after influential figures and officials involved in trafficking illegal workers from neighbouring countries, its chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, claims.
The NCPO will concentrate on a crackdown on influential persons who reap benefits from trafficking illegal labourers. Traffickers are pocketing 20'000 Baht per worker for arranging their border crossing into Thailand. Each labourer is also forced to pay between 8'000 and 10'000 Baht after getting inside the country, the General says.
According to General Prayuth Chan-ocha about 200'000 workers returned to Cambodia over the past two weeks, panicked by reports that security authorities were preparing to crack down on illegal labour. The rumour was spread by influential figures and corrupt officials. Their intention was to sow panic so they would be able to collect even more money from the workers when they returned to Thailand. They released scare stories to discredit the NCPO.
- Fact is that since many years Thailand's various Police Organisations arrest and deport illegal migrant workers, but not the slave traders.
Thailand relies on migrant workers. For many Thais Thailand's lifestyle of 'Fun & Happiness' exclude hard work, therefore productivity in the country is very low: Eight Thais are needed to do the work of one single Singaporean. (Thailand's Labor Minister Phaithoon Kaeothong on August 27th, 2009)
- Today Thai Police have arrested a man who admitted to trafficking young Burmese children to sell flowers to foreign tourists on Bngkok's Khaosan Road.
The arrest followed Khaosod English's request to interview Thailand's Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD). Please click for the story!
- Sihasak Phuangketkeow, a permanent secretary of Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry, slammed the United States for downgrading Thailand in its human trafficking report and urged it to reconsider the decision.
It's not right for one country to use its yardstick to judge the performance of another country. The decision is most regrettable. Thailand is disappointed and respectfully disagreed with the State Department's decision. I do know Thailand is doing better than the other countries in the same category. Ridding the country of human trafficking is a national priority in Thailand. It is a scourge we all face, it's a challenge to mankind, Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.
Obviously Thailand still has to learn, that most countries judge on facts - and not on empty promises.
Thailand's Defence Ministry orders Junta Chief to retire...
- A Defence Ministry order is listing the names of retiring officers and it includes Junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his deputies.
The order is routine paperwork, Thai newspapers say, but it remains to be seen whether another order will be issued before September 30th, 2014, to extend the service of the key members of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
There are at least three possible scenarios for the coup leader:
As you can see, General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), its Minitries and its Protagonists try everything to keep Thailand's citizens happy and laughing.
Cambodian workers tell a different story
- Stories Cambodian workers tell differ in many points from what we can hear from the Military Junta:
- A mother who worked illegally with her 28-year old son - and about 100 other Cambodians - at a construction site in Sa Kaeo province says that a group of soldiers arrived at the construction site and ordered them to stop working.
The soldiers told the women workers to pack their things for leaving Thailand and ordered the men to come with them.
Her 28-year-old son and 42 other Cambodian men were loaded on to pickups and driven away. Until today, she never saw him again...
- A 36-year-old woman tells that Thai officers near the border told her and those she was with that they would each have to have their thumbprints taken and pay 500 Baht. If we didn't pay them, we would be dragged off and sent to Bangkok, the officers told them. The ladies paid...
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will concentrate on a crackdown on influential people who reap benefits from trafficking illegal labourers, General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Let's hope it isn't just another empty word from his mouth.
- Yongyuth Chalamwong, of the Thailand Development Research Institute, said the National Council for Peace and Order's absolute power meant it could solve problems more quickly than the previous administration, which often faced legal obstacles. The military government should reduce obstacles by granting amnesty to illegal migrants, because a large number of migrants have worked illegally in the country. Thailand need them back. The country's trade and economy relied on migrant labour employment, he claimed.
- According to an opinion survey conducted by Suan Dusit Poll, General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s one-month performance receives a high approval rate of 8.82 out of 10.
A survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), a close ally to Suthep Thaugsuban and his People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), found that 41.3 per cent of respondents nationwide suggested the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) should propose its chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha as Thailand's new Prime Minister.
Just learning of NCPO's absolute power, be cautious when interpreting the information provided by the two organisatons published above. We recommend to question every single poll, unless you did it yourself...
Avoid reading Book(s) or eating Sandwiches in the Public
- Yesterday Bangkok's highly educated Police arrested a man reading a copy of George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four" outside Siam Paragon, a crowded, upscale mall in downtown Bangkok. According to reports the mall was the world's most photographed location on Instagram last year.
A reporter who witnessed the lone man reading Orwell's book said he was taken away by half a dozen plainclothes police. When questioned, the man said he was reading the book for "liberty, equality and fraternity" - the slogan of the French Revolution. The man was also playing the French national anthem on his smartphone, the reporter said.
- Also at Siam Paragon, Police detained some people in the shopping mall's food court for preparing to hand out sandwiches, mimicking another recent protest in which a small group of student activists from Bangkok's Thammasat University gave out what they said were "sandwiches for democracy".
- Some people are already waiting for a NCPO decree ordering Coca-Cola, Ovaltine, McDonald's, KFC, Makro, ARO, Farmhouse and a bunch of other companies to change the color of their signs. Strawberries, tomatoes as well as carrots have to be banned from the shelves or have to be repainted. Red seems to be a subversive color in the eyes of some Military Leaders.
An unidentified NCPO spokesman said, the leaders are very happy to see that almost all of Thailand's citizens already are ignoring the red traffic lights. It's a first but important step in the right direction, he said.
The Military Junta that took power last month has proven to be one of the most repressive regimes in Thailand in more than four decades.
His Master's Voice?
- Suthep Thaugsuban, the self appointed leader of his People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC,) revealed that he has been in talks with General Prayuth Chan-ocha since 2010 and has been advising the Junta chief on how to unseat the Thaksin regime.
Suthep Thaugsuban admitted for the first time he had discussed with the coup-maker General Prayuth Chan-ocha strategies to root out the influence of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his sister Yingluck Shinawatra and their allies since the 2010 political violence.
From December 20th, 2008, until August 20th, 2011, Suthep Thaugsuban was a deputy prime minister under Abhisit Vejjajiva's unelected Government.
After several Criminal court rulings that deaths and injuries sustained by red-shirt protesters during the political unrest in April and May 2010 were the direct result of orders to soldiers given by Suthep Thaugsuban, the director of the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), the Department of Special Investigation, public prosecutors and police agreed to file murder charges against Suthep Thaugsuban.
During December 2013 Abhisit Vejjajiva was formally charged with murder resulting from a crackdown on demonstrators in 2010 that killed 90 people.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the Coup Maker, is known as a hardliner within Thailand's Military. He was one of the leading proponents of the military crackdowns on the "Red Shirts" in 2010.
- On May 24th we already published the view of some observers saying that the Junta is nothing else than a bunch of puppets of Bangkok's Elite and their figurehead Suthep Thaugsuban.
- On May 22nd, the day of the coup, we stated that the coup was well planned ahead. On May 31th observers in Japan and Australia joint our view.
- Official Denial:
Winthai Suwaree, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s well-known spokesman, said General Prayuth Chan-ocha told him to clarify inconsistencies in Suthep Thaugsuban's report:
Gen Prayuth insistes he had never talked or exchanged messages in private with Mr Suthep, Col Winthai informed the press.
According to sources, General Prayuth Chan-ocha was very upset with Mr Suthep...
As we said on May 30th, in this country you always have to wait a few days - or even months - until you will get the truth. And as its seems today we have to wait again.
TiT - This is Thailand.
- Yesterday, the European Union's foreign ministers condemned the military takeover in Thailand.
The ministers announced they had halted all official visits to Thailand and suspended the signing of a partnership and cooperation accord with Bangkok.
The military should free all political detainees and respect human rights and freedoms. EU member states will review their military ties with Thailand, the statement released by the EU says.
Junta today kick started Propaganda Machine, Denunciation and Censorship
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha' propaganda machine is running at full speed.
It tells the People that
- Most Thais want General Prayuth Chan-ocha as Prime Minister.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s one-month performance receives a high approval rate of 8.82 out of 10.
- Repaying farmers overdue money from the rice-pledging scheme has been the National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) most impressive action.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) approved a additional rice and shrimp farmers subsidy scheme worth 4.79 billion Baht.
- It is essential that Thailand retains its dignity, despite the opposition of the European Union, the United States and other contries to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). We keep on solving the problems in our own Thai style, the General said.
- Punitive measures imposed by the European Union (EU) in response to last month's military coup will have only limited effects on trade, investment and tourism. The EU should show its understanding of the political situation and wish the nation success in its return to democracy. The NCPO will go on solving the country's problems by taking into account the country's pride, the NCPO claims.
- Anand Panyarachund, a former Prime Minister, sees a good opportunity for Thailand to reduce the deep-rooted corruption in the government sector that has caused great damage to the country.
- Cambodia's ambassador to Thailand, Eat Sophea, has pledged her country's support for National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) efforts to enforce regulations on Cambodian migrant workers.
- The Junta has approved a 25% increase of the existing budget for rebuilding 396 police stations nationwide to 8.36 billion Baht as proposed by the Royal Thai Police Office.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) hosts reconciliation meetings around the countries to distributes free packages of basic commodities and provides free medical check, free hair cuts and free concerts.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) managed free broadcasts of the World Cup.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) gave green light to a 25-billion-Baht digital TV coupon subsidy.
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced its efforts to regulate taxi services in Bangkok and surrounding provinces and says it will take shape in about two months.
Read Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf and you can predict the Junta's next steps.
- The United States has blocked another US$4.7 million in security-related aid to Thailand and is considering moving a major regional exercise out of the Kingdom.
- The US has just as much to lose as Thailand if it shifts the annual joint Cobra Gold military exercise to another country, the Military Junta claims.
- Pol Gen Somyos Phumphunmuang, the deputy national police chief, announced that a 500-Baht reward is to be offered to the public for pictures capturing anti-coup activities. He said anyone with photographic evidence of the anti-coup campaign can send it to the Royal Thai Police Office (RTPO). The campaign aims to use those loyal to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to help tackle the problem, the police chief says...
- Update (16:00): General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) set up five panels to monitor
- news on radio and television stations
- news in printed media
- news on online media
- news on social media
- international news
Thailand obviously abandons Press Freedom completely.
- Update (19:00): All of Thailand's TV Stations had to broadcast a programm entitled Monthly Summary of the NCPO's Performance after the National Anthem was played at 18:00.
- June 26th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 36th
- Chatrchai Tuongratanaphan, executive director of the Thai Retailers Association, claims that major retailers and shopping-mall operators are impressed with the Junta's performance in the month since it seized power on May 22.
Thanks to the Junta's efforts to return happiness to the people and boost the economy the overall retail market will increase by between 6 per cent and 8 per cent this year, up from about 6.3-per-cent growth posted last year, Chatrchai Tuongratanaphan prognosticates.
- Suthep Thaugsuban, the self-appointed leader of his People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), hailed a hero and welcomed by thousands of PDRC supporters, local politicians and residents when he set foot in his Surat Thani hometown for the first time in eight months.
- Thailand's Military Junta expressed disappointment with a European Union decision curtailing diplomatic ties with Bangkok.
The Military said it seized power to counter growing political instability, violent attacks by rival groups and economic stagnation.
- The European Union's move to cut ties with Thailand has prompted the Thai Military to release all detainees who were held in special circumstances, Col. Winthai Suwaree, the well-known spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), revealed.
- June 27th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 37th
- Despite having scored a high rating point of 8.82 out of 10, his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would go on working hard, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of the National Council for Reform (NCR), said.
- Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, revealed that Exports are likely to miss this year's growth target of 3.5 per cent.
- The Bank of Thailand predicts that Thailand's economy would grow by 1.5% only this year, down from earlier expectations of 2.7%, but Mathee Supapongse, senior director of the bank's macroeconomic and monetary policy department, expects that next year GDP would grow by 5.5% as General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was speeding up government spending and the economies of Thailand's trading partners were recovering.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has set up a 17-member superboard appointed to supervise the operation of state enterprises. General Prayuth Chan-ocha heads the State Enterprises Policy Commission (SEPC).
- Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew, deputy chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), says that the Military Junta would not disturb press freedom. The new committee was set up to merely monitor the media.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of Thailand's Military Junta, announced that the reform process might take about 300 days to be completed. The reforms would include political reforms, prevention of corruption, energy reform, media reform, education reform as well as an economic gap reduction and fair access to resources of the country.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), says that government officials need to change their working style to cope with the threats against the country. Thailand's strategies need to be set clearly for all sectors to cope with the opening of the country to the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would speed up reforming or enacting urgent laws.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) blames inadequate enforcement of anti-human trafficking laws and corruption among authorities assigned to maintain the laws for the US deciding to downgrade Thailand to the lowest level in its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.
On June 20th we had to publish a very different view of the same problem:
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, a permanent secretary of Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry, slammed the United States for downgrading Thailand in its human trafficking report and urged it to reconsider the decision.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has launched a 24-hour 1111 Contact Centre where the general public can send in their complaints, tip-offs, suggestions and critiques.
There are four channels to contact the General's NCPO: www.1111.go.th, Hotline Call Centre 1111 (extension 2), P.O. Box 1111 (stamps not needed) or in person at NCPO's Contact Centre at Gate 4 of Government House.
- According to Thailand's Military Junta US Ambassador Kristie Kenney praised the Junta for its new regulation on migrant labour. General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) just has set up a committee to tackle human trafficking.
- Well-known National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) spokesman Winthai Suvaree yesterday said that the US has not cancelled the 2015 Cobra Gold military exercise in Thailand, and does not plan to move the war games elsewhere as earlier reported.
- June 28th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 38th
- A team of military officers will monitor all news coverage in Thailand and will contact journalists if they encounter 'false information' in their reporting, a spokesman of Thailand's Military Junta said.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha has set his road map to an election, with the interim charter proclaimed over the next few weeks and polls (probably) held in Ocober 2015.
The draft will be submitted for royal endorsement and then proclaimed in July.
A month later, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will be appointed to draft the constitution and by September the new (interim) government will begin work.
The National Reform Council will likely start work in early October.
When the permanent constitution is in force, the rule of the country will be a true constitutional monarchy.
- Charae Panpruang, the new secretary-general of the House of Representatives, said he would prepare a budget of 10 billion Baht for the National Reform Council.
- Because the lese majeste charges and failing to report to coup authorities are not extraditable offences Thailand's Police issued an arrest warrant for anti-coup activist Jakrapob Penkair for alleged possession of war weapons...
- Suthep Thaugsuban has cancelled his weekly fundraising dinners after a stern rebuke from General Prayuth Chan-ocha.
The self-appointed leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) apologised to supporters on his Facebook page, telling them his weekly dinners would be called off but did not give any reason.
- June 29th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 39th
- Thailand's National Institute for Development Administration once again conducted a poll. According to NIDA, an organisation with connection to Bangkok's Elite (it even run its own booth at Suthep Thaugsuban's People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) demonstration site),
- 55.96% of its respondents said they were not worried at all on the US aid cuts.
- 38.93% were not worried at all on the US downgrading of Thailand over the problem of human trafficking. However 27.10% are rather worried and 19.90% much worried.
- 51.24% said they were not worried at all on the European Union's reaction.
- 41.09% of NIDA's respondents belive that the Association of South East Asean Nations (Asean) are Thailand's most trustful countries, 32.69% allegedly say its China and 11.91% Japan. Only 3.12% trust the US, 1.84% Australia and 1.20% the European Union.
- As we said before: Never trust a statistic - unless you manipulated it yourself.
- Songkhla-based Hatyai University conducted a survey claiming that 77.63% of the respondents said they want General Prayuth Chan-ocha to be the country's next Prime Minister.
Southern Thailand is the home turf of the Democrat Party, which supported the May 22nd Military takeover and the anti-government protests that preceded the coup.
- Songsak Saicheua, director-general of Thailand's Foreign Ministry's American and South Pacific Affairs Department, claims that more progress in dealing with trafficking can be expected this year. The government will speed up investigations, he added. Even without the United States State Department's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) (knockdown) report Thailand's government had planned to revamp the fishing sector which had been the cause of a lot of human trafficking, he claims.
- A report published by Cambodia's Phnom Penh Post claims that Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen is not satisfied with the National Council for Peace and Order's handling of the Cambodian migrant workers.
According to Col Winthai Suvaree, the well-known spokesman of General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the published statement is incorrect. Cambodia agrees with and supports Thailand's way of trying to put things in order. Thailand has coordinated with Cambodia over the issue so that it could officially clarify matters as quickly as possible to ensure a correct understanding, Col Winthai Suvaree says.
- Five soldiers in Chiang Mai province forced a squid vendor to remove his red t-shirt screened with a face of a red shirt leader. The vendor had to remove the t-shirt and give it to the military officers to confiscate.
No shirt is better than wearing a red one...
- June 30th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 40th
- Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association cunducted a poll dubbed as Master Poll. It claims that from the 2'087 respondents in 15 provinces
- 32% want to see General Prayuth Chan-ocha as their new Prime Minister
- 13.9% voted for Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of Thailand's (anti-democratic) Democrat Party
- 8.4% voted for Suthep Thaugsuban, the self-appointed leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), and a (former ?) member of Thailand's (anti-democratic) Democrat Party
- 8% voted for Chuan Leekpai, a member of Thailand's (anti-democratic) Democrat Party and a former Prime Minister, 'implanted' in 1992 after the abortive coup, known as the bloody (or black) May, by General Suchinda Kraprayoon.
- 6.9% said they would prefer former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to return
- As we said before: Never trust a statistic - unless you manipulated it yourself.
- The US Embassy in Bangkok has not extended an invitation to any key member of Thailand's Military Junta to attend its Independence Day celebration on July 4th, 2014.
However many military with the rank of colonel were invited, but decided not to join the celebration.
We want the US to realise that we have feeling towards what it has expressed towards us, an officer allegedly said.
- Sihasak Puangketkaew, the Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary, announced today that Thailand's Foreign Ministry has revoked six passports of Thais who resisted the Military Junta's summons and are believed to have taken shelter overseas.
The travel documents of ex-Pheu Thai leader Charupong Ruangsuwan, Pheu Thai members Jakrapob Penkair and Sunai Jullapongsathorn, Chatwadee Amornpat, Ekkapob Luera and Attachai Anuntamek were cancelled on June 26th, 2014.
Arrest warrants for criminal charges have been issued against them...
- July 1st, 2014: Coup d'état Day 41st
- To end the abuse of illegal workers, the Military Junta opened its first full-time one-stop-centre in Samut Sakhon's Muang district to register illegal foreign workers legally with the authorities.
- Migrant workers from Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos can now buy health insurance cards.
They come in two price categories: 500 Baht for three months and 900 Baht for six months.
Family members or followers of the workers can also buy the card and will also be covered under Thailand's health insurance system.
If a physical checkup is needed the additional fee is 500 Baht each, bringing the total health care cost to 1'000 Baht and 1'400 Baht for three and six months respectively.
Later Thailand's Public Health Ministry will offer a 2'100-Baht package to new migrant workers of the three nationalities. It includes a physical checkup and a 1'600-Baht one-year health insurance card.
- July 2nd, 2014: Coup d'état Day 42nd
- The National Council for Peace and Order (NPCO) has chosen to retain certain special powers over the interim government to deal with security issues under the provisional constitution which will be unveiled soon.
An important feature of the new interim charter is to grant amnesty to members of the NCPO who seized power from Yingluck Shinawatra's caretaker government on May 22nd, 2014.
- The Bank of Thailand claims that the economic recovery began to pick up speed in May 2014.
The V-shaped recovery will gain momentum starting in the third quarter, the bank promises.
- Tea Banh, Cambodia's Defence Minister, says that the surprising release of Veera Somkwamkit came about after Thailand's Military Junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha talked on the phone with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Veera Somkwamkit, a yellow-shirt activist, was jailed on espionage charges in Cambodia since 2010. Yellow Shirts had - and apparently still have - the support of Bangkok's Elite, Thailand's Democrat Party and a large part of Thailand's Army.
Police detained Veera Somkhwamkid at Suvarnabhumi airport. He was taken to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) for questioning and hearing of charges of obstructing aviation and seven other accounts in relation to his taking part in a rally by the People's Alliance for Democracy tthat occupied Don Mueang and Suvarnvabhumi airports in 2008.
Later he was released on 100'000 Baht bail but ordered to report to police for further investigation on July 9th.
- July 3rd, 2014: Coup d'état Day 43rd
- The Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) is setting up a team to pursue legal action against lese majeste suspects who have fled or are living abroad.
The OAG could seek arrest warrants for suspects if they had fled or were staying in countries which had compatible laws and extradition agreements with Thailand...
- Charupong Ruangsuwan, a 'fugitive' ex-leader of Pheu Thai, said he planned to tell the United Nations secretary-general and international human-rights organisations that most Thais disapproved of the coup.
- Sombat Boonngarm-anong, a prominent anti-coup activist has been released on bail but has received an additional charge of lese majeste.
The new offense could add fifteen years to his possible prison sentence...
- Thai Police announced that the authorities are working to locate and re-educate a group of student activists who ate sandwiches in protest of the Military Junta in front of the US Embassy in Bangkok.
Police have photographed the demonstrators and sent the pictures to the Military for further procedures. The Army will summon the students for readjustment of their attitudes, Somyot Pumphanmuang, a deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police, said.
- July 4th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 44th
- According to a spokesman for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) the NCPO order posted on July 2nd on a social network was forget. It falsely announcing the transfer of Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen from the posts of deputy police chief and secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) to PM's office adviser.
Only a few hours later General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced in their 84th announcement broadcast live that Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen has lost his job as Office of the Narcotics Control Board secretary-general...
- According to Thailand's Military Junta the Junta would make 'minor changes' to the content of a provisional constitution before submitting it for royal endorsement later this month.
Under the interim charter, the speaker of the national legislative assembly, and not the NCPO chief himself, is authorised to submit the name of the interim prime minister for royal endorsement.
Without this 'minor change', the Junta leader had to submit his very own name for the post of Thailand's interim prime minister...
- Today, during his weekly televised speech, General Prayuth Chan-ocha warned that if some media still continue groundless reports or reports that damage the country, you have to take responsibility because the media are under supervision.
Our country is not in a normal situation. We have to call your attention to limit reports which stir or widen conflicts including those reports for which the facts are not verified. We still allow freedom of the press, probably too much freedom, the General said.
- Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the European Union has barred Thai ministers from taking official visits to the EU's member countries.
The ban concerns Thai officials only holding the ranks of Ministers and above, ordinary Thais can still visit EU countries with passports and relevant visa documents.
- July 5th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 45th
- According to General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of Thailand's Military Junta, the NCPO had set up about 100 teams of auditors to check rice stocks and had found that rice worth about 60 to 70 million Baht was missing.
It seems that sizeable amounts of paddy have been smuggled in from Cambodia and Myanmar and pledged under the rice-pledging scheme in collaboration with rice farmers and rice mills to profit from the wide price difference between foreign and Thai paddy...
Same procedure as in the European Union where the Mafia makes huges profits from the stupid subsidies. Subsidies are an organized waste of money - everywhere in this world.
- Thailand's Foreign Ministry has revoked two more passports.
Fugitive red-shirt leader Wutthipong Kachathamkhun and red-shirt academic Somsak Chiamthirasakul are now without Passports and wanted under arrest warrants issued related to lese majeste charges...
- The National Council for Peace and Order will hold a roadshow in which NCPO officials and representatives of the private sector explain to the international community why the military had to seize power...
- The US Embassy marked independence day on Thursday night, but the guest list for the celebration did not include top military leaders. However, former members of the Yingluck Shinawatra Cabinet attended the event.
Col Winthai Suwaree, the well-known spokesman of Thailand's Military Junta, said that the NCPO understood the decision about who would attend the 4th of July celebrations in Bangkok were made in Washington and that each country had its own rules and traditions on how they should behave in public...
- July 6th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 46th
- The Thai Student Centre for Democracy (TSCD), the sole remaining visible and public opponents to the Military Junta, say that General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has pressured families of the students to dissuade them from political activism.
11 out of the 30 students supporting the TSCD were forced to sign an agreement with the NCPO not to join, aid or lead future anti-coup protests after they were arrested for trying to launch an anti-coup sandwich-eating protest at Paragon Shopping Mall in Bangkok.
Thailand's Army think they have knowledge and morality, one of TSCD's supporter says. But one of the major-generals asked him if he thought those who don't pay tax should have the right to vote...
Moreover, the officers still believe that fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra must fund the students.
- The recently-formed Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy (FT-HD) has met with officials of the European Union's Human Rights Council to complain about alleged human rights violations in Thailand.
Thailand's Foreign Ministry confirmed previous reports that it revoked passports of some of FT-HD's members on the grounds that they were wanted under arrest warrants over lese majeste charges.
- Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's supreme commander, has lent his support to the Thai military takeover during a courtesy call on Supreme Commander Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters.
I am confident that what the Thai military is doing now is the most suitable course of action because the armed forces have an important role in maintaining security for the country and taking care of people's safety. Myanmar had experienced a similar situation in 1988, although the circumstances then were worse than they were in Thailand now, Gen Min Aung Hlaing said.
Myanmar's nationwide pro-democracy uprising ended on September 18th, 1988, after a bloody military coup. It reportedly killed thousands of people...
- Diplomats fear that Junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha taking a dual role in an interim government.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha could extend his term as army chief after his mandatory retirement in September and also sit as Prime Minister in the interim government he announced to establish, Diplomats say.
Diplomats all over the world know from long experiences that it's hard to trust officials from secret services and armed forces.
- July 7th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 47th
- After its latest opinion poll Thailand's National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) claims that the majority of Thais believe the political situation will improve after the (so far unknown) reforms announced by the Military Junta.
- A poll conducted by Suan Dusit Poll allegedly shows that most of Thailand's people are happy after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) took over administration of the country.
As we said before: Never trust a statistic - unless you manipulated it yourself.
- July 8th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 48th
- The Royal Thai Navy's Submarine Squadron was officially launched at Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri province.
The squadron has a 740 million Baht expenive training centre for a submarine command team but no submarine.
Nevertheless, at least according to Thailand's Navy, submarines are still important as a strategic and irreplaceable tool to make up for the geographical limitations of Thailand...
According to Submarine Squadron commander Panu Punyavirocha, the unit plans to send 30 navy personnel each year to be trained in various countries to prepare them for when the navy eventually gets a fleet of submarines.
The current political situation will help to get the gadget(s) soon.
- Thailand's Third Region Navy announced it was cleaning up all illegal activities and will improve services at the Phuket Airport within a month.
Capt Sompong Narkthong, chief of staff for operations fleet, said that the illegal taxi services were operated by several groups including influential figures, local politicians and gangs who mix unregistered taxis with registered vehicles to cover up their operations.
Phuket is a stronghold of Thailand's Democeat Party...
- Thailand's Democrat Party proposes that the election laws should be amended to empower the Election Commission (EC) to bypass the government in setting the election date.
If the EC can set the election date on its own without seeking approval from the government, it would prevent the ruling party from having an advantage.
Thailand's Election Commission (EC) was inaugurated after the last military coup and enjoys the support of the Democrat Party, Bangkok's Elite as well as a great part of Thailand's Military.
Thailand's Democrat Party has also joined hands with the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT) to push anti-graft laws. Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva met with ACT members at the Thai Chamber of Commerce. They reviewed the status of the anti-corruption proposals of both groups such as a law amendment to scrap the statute of limitations on corruption cases and improvement of anti-corruption work process...
- The Military Junta's Reconciliation Centre for Reform will organise reconciliation and happiness-returning activities at Sanam Luang from July 22nd to 25th, 2014.
Buddhist monks would chant prayer at 6:30 on July 22nd. The prayer rite would be held simultaneously in all provinces, the center announced.
Entertainers from Grammy, RS and Workpoint would perform concerts. A screening of King Naresuan series of movies would happen too.
- July 9th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 49th
- Rangers raided a rented shophouse in Sa Kaeo province and rounded up 103 illegal Cambodian migrant workers.
The workers had illegally sneaked across the border into Thailand after being promised work in Bangkok by a job trafficking ring.
The 103 Cambodians said they each had to pay the illegal job brokers 2'500 Baht.
Lets hope the 12th Rangers Regiment will arrest the job brokers too...
- Rights Activists criticized the re-arrest of a Thai magazine editor by the ruling Military Junta.
He was asked to meet plainclothes officer at a coffee shop for talks, before being taken away in a car.
The charges against him stem from anti-military comments he had made on Facebook.
Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said arresting an editor for a Facebook criticism of military rule shows just how far the junta will go to silence critics.
- Heavy armed soldiers from Thailand's Military Junta as well as local Officials inspected Phukey's Patong Beach during a clean-up operation.
The more than 100 soldiers had the order to evict food hawkers, massage huts and other illegal vendors from Phuket's best-known beach.
Some of the vendors even had contract from the Patong Municipality allowing them to build and run the businesses...
About 350 individuals lost job and income.
- Army deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree urged netizens to cancel a planned rally at Siam Paragon to demand tougher laws against rapists.
Winthai said the rally could not be held because the martial law is still in place.
Remember General Prayuth Chan-ocha's words? Bring happiness back to the people.
- July 10th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 50th
- Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's current Foreign Ministry permanent secretary, urged US media to gain a better understanding of Thai politics. According to his words, the latest Coup d'état in Thailand differes from coups in other countries in several ways, especially the benevolent intentions behind seizing power.
He held a one-hour meeting with two senior representatives from The New York Times during the United Nations Economic and Social Council meeting (Ecosoc) in New York and tried to explain why the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO] had to seize power. He told them the coup was aimed at restoring peace and moving democracy forward.
It was Thailand's last resort to bring the country back to normalcy and the coup helped maintain democracy, not destroy it, he told the journalists.
Thailand cannot change the opinions of the US and Western countries but we want them to have open minds and they should not judge other countries by the same standards because they have different political circumstances
, Thailand's acting foreign minister said.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ordered Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs to revoke the passport of Kyoto-based Thai academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun who is wanted on charges of failing to report to the military junta.
Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a highly respected associate professor of Southeast Asian studies at Japan's Kyoto University. He campaigned against Thailand's lese majeste law.
The NCPO summoned him to report to General Prayuth Chan-ocha's council on May 24 by 16:00 but the professor posted on his Facebook page that he was busy with his teaching and refused to show up.
That seems to be the benevolent intentions behind the Coup d'état Thailand's acting foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow tried to explain to the journalists of The New York Times...
- July 11th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 51st
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) claims it has welcomed the launch of the BBC World Service's new social media service in Thailand, dubbed as BBC Thai
The BBC says the aim of the new service is to offer people an alternative source of information. The operation will cover local and international news in Thai and English for an initial period of three months.
Werachon Sukondhapatipak, a NCPO spokesman, said he is happy to help the BBC to better understand the situation in Thailand, and added that we don't have any problem as long as they don't broadcast information that is negative or has an impact on the stability of the country...
- Gen Paiboon Kumchaya, the assistant army chief and head of the council's law and judicial affairs, said it is unclear at this stage if martial law will be retained when the interim charter takes effect.
Thailand's interim constitution would be implemented this month as earlier predicted by military junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. The charter has already been scrutinised and approved by the council. It is now being forwarded for royal endorsement though it is not known at this stage when the process will be finished.
It is expected that General Prayuth Chan-ocha will explain the details of the charter himself.
According to the Army the charter provides the legal basis for establishing a national legislative assembly, a reform council and a constitution drafting body. They are expected to finish their work some time in the middle of next year when a new permanent constitution is promulgated.
- July 12th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 52nd
- During his weekly monologue to the Nation, broadcasted by all Radio and TV Stations around Thailand, the Military Junta's strong man General Prayuth Chan-ocha told his audience that
- Qatar's ambassador to Thai made a courtesy call to deputy NCPO chef ACM Prajin Juntong on July 4th and said that his govenment has expressed admiration for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) taking charge to return happiness to the people.
- the NCPO's plans to overhaul state enterprises by setting up a so-called Superboard to work on several issues engulfing those agencies.
Issues that need to be tackled by the Superboard include transparency, improvement of public services without focusing on only making profits for themselves, financial stability for certain loss-making agencies, and a master plan to prevent duplication of work and financial extravagancy.
- the Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) had to come out to take responsibility after a passenger was raped and killed on board a train. All levels of supervisors must show responsibility for what happened.
Instead of resign to show his responsibility, Governor Prapat Chongsa-gnuan vowed to stay on to solve problems in the SRT. Therefore General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) issued an order Thursday night to sack Prapat.
- Thailand's National Reform Council (NRC) will have 250 members who will represent 11 groups of people in the society.
Each of 11 groups would nominate 50 candidates, totaling 550 and there would be 76 representatives from 76 provinces. The 550 candidates and 76 representatives would vote among themselves for 250 members of the council on the condition that all 11 groups would be represented
- Thailand's interim charter will have 50 articles. The interim charter would balance the power of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the government the interim charter would have certain restrictions.
- the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has to stay on after an interim government is formed. The country still needs a "special tool" to tackle problems under the current circumstances.
A transitional administration to be set up by September will be responsible for administrative affairs while the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will remain responsible for security.
The martial law would probably continue to be enforced even after the interim charter takes effect.
- people with differing political views have to open themselves up first by learning to live with people with opposite thinking.
- Thanapol Eiwsakul, longtime editor of Same Sky Magazine, is currently being held at the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok for criticisng the Military Junta on Facebook.
The Military Junta will release the editor after his attitude has been re-adjusted, Col. Burin Thongpraphai, a member of the Royal Thai Army's Office of Judge Advocate, announced.
- Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, a member of Thailand's Election Commission (EC), told a representative of the European Union (EU) that Thailand's electoral system must be reformed to ensure that only moral people will be voted into office.
A good election has to produce moral people who are capable of running the country and contributing to society. It's not that we don't care about democracy or elections, but we will only have an election when everything is ready. The European Union has to give Thailand time to ensure moral elections, he told Balthazar Benz, an official of the EU.
- July 13th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 53rd
- Thailand's National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) published a the result of a new poll. It claims that a majority of people agree with all of the Election Commission (EC)'s electoral reform proposals concerning the election and selection of MPs and senators submitted to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for consideration...
As we said before: Never trust a statistic - unless you manipulated it yourself.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the self-appointed leader of Thailand's Military Junta, presented the public with a new slogan: Develop Citizens to the Future, Stop Being Slaves of Alcohol.
Thailand's authorities designated the first day of Buddhist Lent as the national no-alcohol day in an effort to educate citizens about the hazards of alcohol.
Consumption of alcohol is banned under the Fifth Precept of Buddhism. To observe the religious dogma, Thai authorities ban sales of alcohol across the country on important Buddhist holidays.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) announced that refugees from nine camps would soon be sent back to Myanmar.
Members of the European Burma Network in Europe recently expressed deep concern over premature repatriation due to aid cuts, saying reforms in Myanmar, including the peace process, had not progressed to a stage where it is safe for refugees to return.
There are about 130'000 refugees Thailand's military government would send home. They have been living in camps for two decades and more along the border with Myanmar.
- July 14th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 54th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) claim that international concern over the Military Junta's coup has eased.
Thailand is campaigning for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, which will hold a vote in November...
Rivals for the seat include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Qatar. Thailand's chances to get the seat were hurt by the coup.
- Accordng to information from National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) more than 60'000 migrant workers so far registered nation-wide with the eight one stop service centres.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is to open six new such centres in the capital. They would run until August 14th, 2014.
You remember: On June 17th, 2014, at least 180'000 Cambodians fled Thailand. According to press reports there are between 400'000 and 1'000'000 migrant workers in the country.
Still a lot of work to register them all...
- Thailand's Military is considering to organize its own military exercises after the United States threatened to exclude Thailand from its annual Asian drills known as Cobra Gold abd to move the exercises to Australia.
The US had already cancelled Thailand's invitation to a maritime warfare exercise in Hawaii in June 2014.
Sources within Thailand's Military already announced that we are fully prepared to have our own regional exercise. Several countries have already told us they would participate in such an event.The United States must realize that we have countries on this side of the world who understand the Thai political situation.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the leader of Thailand's Military Junta has vowed to crack down on sexually suggestive media in response to the rape and murder of 13-year-old girl on a state railway train last weekend.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha said that print media should not present sexually provocative content which go against the good Thai tradition. This has to be cut down. Celebrities, singers, and actors should refrain from dressing inappropriately.
- July 15th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 55th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) decided that Government House has to undergo a 300 million Baht face-lift before an interim government takes office in September.
The renovation work will be handled by Thailand's Military.
ML Panadda Diskul, Prime Minister's Office permanent secretary, said Government House has not undergone major improvements for years and that work on the compound was long overdue. It was reopened recently after having been closed since last year during the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protests against the Yingluck Shinawatra government. PDRC's mob occupied the compound for about 6 months.
- Jaran Pukditanakul, a Constitutional Court judge and former deputy chief drafter of the 2007 Constitution, requests that the new Constitution should separate business from politics while an independent agency should be set up to oversee politicians and government officials.
Business and politics must be separated, as politics is dedicated to the country's interests while business people still want profits. Therefore, they should not be involved in politics.
Politics involves controlling power and formulating rules for the country's administration so that all the players, including businesses and interest groups, follow the rules and maintain the balance while at the same time leading the country to the best position.
It's not like that in our country. We see our style of liberalism as 'take all you can grab'. Our style of capitalism and liberalism, therefore, allows people with lots of money, who are from business sector only and only the big players, dominate politics. We can see that from political parties' leaders. The political parties whose owners are not billionaires are poor parties.
The new constitution should state clearly that state power and business must be definitely separated. Not only politicians but also the bureaucratic system, the administrative, legislative and judicial branches, the judges and executives of the constitutional independent agencies including the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, Jaran Pukditanakul said.
- The Immigration Bureau has already instructed officials to deny entry to foreigners doing visa runs as a measure to stop the exploitation of tourist visas and visa exemptions to live or work here.
Leniency will be granted until August 12th, 2014, but only for passengers arriving by air. Foreigners who come to Thailand must seek a proper visa in line with the purpose of their intended stay here.
The Immigration Bureau has instructed checkpoints on shared borders to stop visa runners from entering the Kingdom effective immediately.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) changed the structure of the Board of the Royal Thai Police Office and criteria for the promotion of Police Officers including the appointment of the national police chief.
In the new Board of the Royal Thai Police, the Permanent Secretary for Defence becomes a new ex-officio member while the ministers of justice and interior are excluded. The number of expert members in the board drops from four to two. The Senate will select them.
The National Police Chief, instead of the Prime Minister, is authorised to propose his successor. The nominee must be selected only from among the serving deputy National Police Chiefs and inspectors-general of the Royal Thai Police Office.
The Board of the Royal Thai Police will consider the nomination proposed by the National Police Chief and then seek royal approval for the appointment of his successor.
To curb lobbying for unfair promotion in the police force, the promotion of Police Officers adheres to the principle of seniority, based firstly on the duration the person has held a position before promotion, followed by the length of service as a commissioned officer, and his or her age.
- July 16th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 56th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) approved a 2.575-trillion Baht budget bill for the 2015 fiscal year. The budget bill would see a deficit of 250 billion Baht.
- Sihasak Phuangketkeow, the Foreign Ministry's permanent secretary, urged foreign business representatives to help give their respective governments a better understanding of the political developments in Thailand.
Many of the business representatives have been living and working in Thailand for a long time, so they understand the situation better than most and could help convey correct information to their countries, the Minister said.
- A combined Police and Rangers Force arrested a total of 72 illegal Cambodian migrants in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province.
The Cambodians said that they could not afford the 3'000-3'500 Baht for a border pass.
They entered Thailand illegally with the 'help' of Cambodian job brokers, who promised them a job in Thailand but demanded 2'000 Baht each from them.
According to our information the illegal migrants were handed over to the Immigration Police for a legal process before being repatriated...
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) suspended all elections of local councillors and administrators.
Local councillors and administrators have to be appointed based on capability, merit, morality and political neutrality by committees nominated by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
New local councillors must be 35 years old or over, hold at least a bachelor's degree, be a present or former local government official, a native of the province or head of a local, registered private or people's organisation General Prayuth Chan-ocha's NCPO says.
- July 17th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 57th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha the self-appointed chairman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) assigned Gen Udomdet Seetabutr, the NCPO secretary-general, to bring offerings to Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn for the start of Buddhist Lent.
Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn, the abbot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, acting as Supreme Patriarch told Gen Udomdet that he wants Thais to reconcile and have unity. This can be attained through practice of the five precepts of Lord Buddha, the monk said.
Gen Udomdet said he would convey the monk's message to General Prayuth Chan-ocha for further implementation under the villages practicing the five precepts of Buddha project.
The Supreme Patriarch allegedly told reporters that General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army and National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief, is capable of being Prime Minister...
If he wants to be, he surely can. Judging from his action and strength, General Prayuth Chan-ocha is capable of being a Prime Minister, the monk, locally known as Somdet Chuang, said.
- Former anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban surprised many by appearing as a monk, raising speculation that he is joining a long tradition of political leaders seeking asylum in the monkhood.
Last month, Suthep Thaugsuban caused an uproar when he told a gathering of PCAD donors at an exclusive club that he had been conspiring with army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha to overthrow Thaksin-allied governments since 2010.
Suthep Thaugsuban, who is now known by his Buddhist name Paphakaro, can now been seen daily begging for alms and food on the streets near Than Nam Lai Temple in Surat Thani.
Nevertheless, anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban will have to report to the Criminal Court on July 28 for an evidence hearing in a case related to the 2010 political violence in which he faces murder charges.
It was not known yet if he would come as a monk or a layman.
- Following instructions from General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) the Police Commission yesterday began the process of restructuring the Police Force.
The first effect of the NCPO announcements resulted in all specialist members of the commission being removed from their posts.
Thailand's 'Superman', General Prayuth Chan-ocha, serves as chairman of the Board of the Royal Thai Police and is therefore also responsible for appointing the new national Police Chief.
- Army deputy and NCPO deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree informed the press that General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has approved former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra's request to leave the kingdom on Sunday for a 20-day trip to Europe.
Yingluck Shinawatra had never acted in a way that violated or defied the conditions and orders of the NCPO so the NCPO's working committee in charge of considering the request had given her a green light to travel to Europe, Col Winthai Suwaree said.
- July 18th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 58th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's Military Junta announced that the VAT rate will be cut to 6.3% from October 1st to September 30th next year. However, the 7% rate currently applied will be maintained because the 6.3% rate will have local tax of 0.7% added....
From October 1st, 2015, the VAT will increase to 9%, plus local tax of 1%. That will bring the combined rate to 10%.
VAT was first introduced in Thailand in 1992 at a rate of 10%, but was immediately slashed to 7% at the request of business operators who felt the rate was too high.
- Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sought to play down fears that its plans to repatriate of tens of thousands of refugees to Myanmar is being rushed.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) last Friday announced a plan to send the refugees back to Myanmar.
There are about 130'000 refugees living in nine camps along the Thai border. The refugees have been sheltering in Thailand for nearly three decades after escaping from bloody sectarian conflicts and civil war.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has exempted a prominent state university's construction project from a number of legal requirements without providing any explanation.
The Military Junta only said that the construction of a new building by Mahidol University's Faculty of Medicine is needed to increase the efficiency of medical science research to provide better care to patients.
The construction project was approved by the previous Yingluck Shinawatra Cabinet on February 12th last year but was later stalled due to existing laws that prevented the university from building a high-rise structure in the area.
To push forward with the project the Junta (simply) suspended the 1992 Building Safety Control Act, the 2013 Bangkok City Planning Ministerial Regulation, the 1991 ban on certain types of construction in the area west of Chao Praya River imposed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and the 2001 BMA Ordinance on Building Restriction.
- July 19th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 59th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ordered a one year delay in the auction for licences for the fourth-generation (4G) mobile phone spectrum. The aution was planned by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) replaced all the members of the Energy Regulatory Commission, and sacked its secretary-general Kawin Thangsupanich.
- The state budget monitoring and scrutinising committee installed by General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) reports that it has found irregularities in the disbursement of meeting allowances to parliament committees. It plans to recall the money.
The panel discovered that more than 3'000 parliament committees had been set up. Some committee members received meeting allowances more than once in a day while some attended a meeting for only 5-10 minutes but received allowances for three hours' attendance, worth 9'000 Baht...
Some of these members apparently even opposed Yingluck Shinawatra's 300 Baht minimum wage...
Same procedure as in the European Union, sometimes peope are learning fast in this country. At least if it concerns money.
- July 20th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 60th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's Military Junta has issued a fresh announcement reiterating its restrictions on freedom of speech:
- False information that tends to be libelous, or incite hatred against the monarchy, the Designated Heir to the Throne, and all members of the Royal Family.
- News that are detrimental to the national security or libelous against other individuals.
- Criticism of operations of the National Council for Peace and Order, its officials, or any related individual.
- Audio, images, or videos that contain secrets of operations of any bureaucratic agency.
- News or information that causes confusion, incites disputes, or leads to disunity in the Kingdom.
- Invitation or plotting to organise in manner that may lead to resistance against officials or individuals related to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
- Threats to harm individuals that may panic or frighten the public.
The rules apply to all types of media agencies, such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and social media. Law enforcement officials will pursue legal action against the violators, General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) says.
- To calm down concern of journalists over the above directives, Coup spokesman Winthai Suwaree said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) added no new measures in an attempt to seek cooperation from the media in the latest announcement.
The council's reaction followed the concern expressed by the Thai Journalists Association about the order which could hamper the right to access information of the public.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) warned that it would soon summon youths who cause social problems in a bid to get them to change their behaviour.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) allocated 300 million Baht for the National Anti-Corruption Commission to hire 700 more personnel to crack down on corruption.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha appealed to the international community to welcome Thailand back onto the global stage. The Junta Leader claims that maintaining ties with Thailand will benefit everyone. His regime did not want countries which are Thailand's friends to restrict the constructive role of the military or the NCPO, he says.
It is time for Thailand and its friends to look toward the future and find ways to avoid a repeat of previous incidents that obstructed the country's democratic process, General Prayuth Chan-ocha believes...
- July 21st, 2014: Coup d'état Day 61st
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and Chiang Mai Governor Suriya Prasartbandit claim they have been able to eliminate colour-coded conflict in Chiang Mai.
I can now say that Chiang Mai is free of political colours. There are no more reds or yellows, only green. It's green season. I mean the natural green colour, not the military's green. Thanks to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s efforts to promote national unity in the northern province conflicts have been wiped out, an obviously color blind Governor told the press.
Discord among northern people had stemmed from conflicts between powerful political groups, not conflict among ordinary people, the Governor believes.
- Government House Officials were forced to stop working and to perform a religious ceremony. Construction staff allegedly encountered paranormal activity during their effort to renovate the building.
An army officer said he experienced smells of ancient perfume as he and other soldiers were moving furniture inside the Government House compound. Because I know that many people had been haunted in this building, I was so scared that I had goosebumps, he told the press.
The operation was immediately halted.
Government House officials organised a ceremony to appease the spirits and informed them that they merely wanted to renovate the compound so that the Government House would be more beautiful.
It is known that many bureaucrats who work at the Government House are deeply superstitious. The staff routinely witness ghosts in the building. Encounters include a red-clad ancient warrior, a royal steward, and a headless woman dressed in traditional costume.
The ghosts usually hinder officials in their work...
- Samut Sakhon Governor Arthit Boonyasopat asked Landlords of migrant workers to report to authorities within 24 hours or face legal action as part of efforts to regulate rental properties. Landlords who fail to report to authorities within 24 hours will face a fine of up to 800 Baht per rented room. The fine will double if Officials search rooms and find unregistered tenants. Those who rent to illegal migrant workers will face jail terms of up to five years and fines of up to 50'000 Baht.
The move follows the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s demand that all foreign workers register with the authorities. The governor said there are 390'000 legal migrant workers working in the province, while the number of unregistered workers is estimated to be around 100'000.
Meanwhile Immigration Police arrested 20 undocumented Myanmar workers at a checkpoint in Ban Tak district of Tak province. They paid the pick-up truck driver who promised they would get a job in Bangkok. The pick-up truck driver had earlier been sentenced to six months in jail for illegally bringing alien workers into the country...
- Thailand's National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) believes Thailand's economic growth this year could be higher than expected because of a substantial export recovery after the coup.
Nevertheless NESDB deputy secretary-general Poramethee Wimolsiri conceded that Thailand's export growth had failed to keep pace with the world economic recovery. The key factor was flat prices for exported products, he said...
- July 22nd, 2014: Coup d'état Day 62nd
- After Media groups told General Prayuth Chan-ocha's Military Junta that its ban threat is 'intolerable' the
National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had to revise its order, known as Order No.97.
- The new decree narrowed the criteria, making it illegal only to criticise the junta with impure motives that slander and destroy public confidence.
- The Military Junta also reversed an earlier decision giving officials the power to close down media outlets that did not comply with the gag order.
- Officials can only investigate media outlets. They have to forward their findings to the Military Junta.
- Lt Gen Kampanart Ruddi, director of the Reconciliation for Reform Centre told the press that an amnesty is unlikely to be included in the provisional charter.
- Thailand's Justice Ministry announced to propose a new legislation to General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to combat transnational money laundering, financing of terrorism as well as other illicit financial transactions.
- Thailand's Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) submitted two reports to the Office of the Attorney General handling a case against a Thai-born British citizen accused of lese majeste.
Since the alleged offence took place outside the kingdom the matter would be forwarded to Attorney-General Trakul Winijnaiyaphak. He would make a final decision whether to order indictment in the case.
Chatwadee Amornpat, aka London Rose, a Thai-born woman living in London as a naturalised citizen, was accused of insulting the monarchy in her video clips posted on the internet.
Authorities last month issued an arrest warrant for Ms Chatwadee for failing to respond to the National Council for Peace and Order's summons. As a result, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revoked her (Thai) passport.
Obviously no reconciliation with opponents of Thailand's Military Junta.
- After General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) suspended Thailand's fourth-generation (4G) spectrum auctions for one year analysts are warning that Thailand should brace for a huge opportunity loss in terms of productivity and the economy.
The suspension will cause a potential opportunity loss of up to US$1 billion (31.9 billion Baht) from 4G network investment and an additional $3 billion from a loss of productivity.
The delay will make it harder for operators to handle increasing mobile data traffic and slow down development of local digital applications and content...
- July 23rd, 2014: Coup d'état Day 63rd
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, chairman of the Military Junta, was granted an audience by His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, yesterday evening at his seaside residence, Klai Kangwon Palace, in Prachuap Kiri Khan province.
- The new (interim?) constitution of Thailand - the Kingdom's 19th - is now in effect following His Majesty the King's royal endorsement. It is effective immediately.
It puts the chief of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) in charge of national security, allowing him to suppress any action both inside and outside the Kingdom that could be considered a threat to national peace, security, economy or the monarchy.
Article 44 of the provisional Constitution stipulates that all orders from the junta chief, with the endorsement of the NCPO, on those matters are final.
The new charter will be enforced by an interim government, which will consist of 220-person National Legislature Assembly, who will appoint a new Prime Minister and Cabinet. There will also be 250-person Reform Council and 35-member committee tasked with drafting a new permanent constitution.
Elections are scheduled to take place at the end of 2015 if conditions are stable and the new government has accomplished reconciliation, General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) said.
Section 48 of the interim charter grants amnesty to NCPO members and anyone acting on its orders following the May 22 coup that seized power from the Yingluck Shinawatra government.
- Thailand's new Constitution 2014:
- July 24th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 64th
- Brad Adams, Human Rights Watch, claims that Thailan's Military Junta has brought alarming setbacks in respect for basic human rights. While the Junta claims it's returning happiness to the nation, the Junta is actually enforcing a regime of forced smiles by prohibiting criticism, imposing aggressive censorship, and arbitrarily putting hundreds in detention.
- A Defence Ministry source announced that the army will establish districts in every one of Thailand's 77 provinces. Thailand's Military currently has 51 army districts, therefore some cover more than one province.
The source claims th move is necessary toward a post-coup election...
- After seizing power in a coup on May 22, 2014, the Thai Military created the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and announced that all of NCPO's orders were to be made public over television and radio stations.
It's not longer the case. The council had recently been selective in deciding which directives should be announed publicly, but did not disclose the reason for the change of the policy.
Orders not be announced include those dated July 17th and 21st. They were published in the Royal Gazette only.
- The Rice Department plans a pension of about 4'000 Baht per month for Thai rice growers after their retirement, on the condition they contribute to a rice development fund during their working years.
The Rice Department announced it would propose the plan to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives next week so that it could be forwarded to the National Council for Peace and Order, because the fund needed financial support and must be legalised.
- Just about 24 hours after Thailand's new constitution got effective, General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) used the constitution's Section 44 and ordered the House of Representatives to suspend payments of monthly living allowances for former members of parliament.
Section 44 reads as in the case where the Head of the National Council for Peace and Order is of opinion that it is necessary for the benefit of reform in any field and to strengthen public unity and harmony, or for the prevention, disruption or suppression of any act which undermines public peace and order or national security, the Monarchy, national economics or administration of State affairs, whether that act emerges inside or outside the Kingdom, the Head of the National Council for Peace and Order shall have the powers to make any order to disrupt or suppress regardless of the legislative, executive or judicial force of that order. In this case, that order, act or any performance in accordance with that order is deemed to be legal, constitutional and conclusive, and it shall be reported to the National Legislative Assembly and the Prime Minister without delay.
- July 25th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 65th
- In a just launched TV campaign by Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) on BloombergTV Ford and Nestlé are praising Thailand as the perfect place to invest...
The spots will definitively bring back Happiness to Thailand's Military Junta.
- Thai Smile, the budget subsidiary of Thai Airways (THAI), is considering to shift its operations base from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang Airport.
Acting THAI president Siwakiat Chayema said the idea was floated by National Council for Peace and Order deputy leader Prajin Juntong at a board meeting on Thursday.
Don Mueang Airport belongs to Thailand's Army, Suvarnabhumi not. The move would bring money into the Army's pocket(s)...
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) ordered vendors of lottery tickets to lower the prices from 110-120 Baht to 80-90 Baht.
The Military Junta made the announcement obviously without the support of the distribution mafia: They just increased the wholesale ticket prices from 73 Baht to 83 Baht per ticket...
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had attempted to deal with lottery ticket price problems but have so far failed. Ticket distribution and price fixing are supposedly controlled by a mafia known among sellers as the Five Tigers.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) will establish mechanisms into the new permanent constitution to curb populism and ensure politicians found guilty of electoral fraud are banned for life, a legal expert who helped draft the interim charter says.
It will ensure political office holders and political parties carry out their duties independently so they are not puppets being dictated to by other people...
- July 26th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 66th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha told his audience during his weekly Returning Happiness speak that he is grateful that the leaders of different political groups exercised restraint and not staged activities since the May 22 coup as the country prepares for reforms.
I want to thank leaders of all political groups for not starting political movements but engaging in personal activities, take a rest, exercise, being with their families and preparing for national reform, the General said.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha still insists that the provisional constitution seeks to maintain a balance between the powers of the interim government and those of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Everyone should be happy that there is a balance of power between the government and the NCPO, the General said.
He told his TV audience that over the past two months, the NCPO has tried to solve the country's problems without using heavy-handed measures against anyone. However, if they fail to carry out their duty properly or transparently, changes can be made immediately...
- Veerathai Santiprabhob, a member of the State Enterprise Policy Commission and an adviser to the Thailand Development Research Institute, said that the private sector has not resumed investment and domestic consumption remains weak, cramped by rising household debt.
Economic growth this year could come in at between 1.5% and 2%, a very low level among developing countries. Exports still have structural problems and will continue declining, especially in the electronics sector due to an absence of development since the 2011 floods.
Thailand's economy has a labour shortage, while the education system cannot supply human resources to serve market demand.
- Info Media Innovation, a company known for its support of Suthep Thaugsuban's anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) with its Kamnan Sticker application is now supporting General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his Return Happiness to the Country policy with an application dubbed as Army Sticker.
With the app launched on iOS App Store and Google Play Store you can 'enhance' your photos with (more or less) Happy Army Faces...
It's just what the country (and/or its General) was waiting for.
- Thailand's former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra flew to Paris where she attends Thaksin Shinawatra's birthday party. Thaksin is her self-exiled brother and a former Prime Minister of this country.
The Royal Thai Army revealed that her every move is being monitored. We pictures her while she is in France.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) will do the same when she goes to England and Los Angeles later.
Thailand's (Paparazzi?) Army is keeping a close watch on Thailand's former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (and her brother), the source said.
- July 27th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 67th
- Suan Dusit Poll claims that General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) is scored 8.87 out of 10 for its two-month performance.
As we recommended before: Never trust a statistic - unless you manipulated it yourself.
- NIDA Poll by the National Institute of Development Administration claims that 79.94% of people have voiced their agreement to an interim constitution's provision for the National Council for Peace and Administration (NCPO) is to stay on to oversee the country's reform process.
As we recommended before: Never trust a statistic - unless you manipulated it yourself.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) transferred five executive vice-presidents of Thai Airways International to inactive posts to pave the way for army and air force officers.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha claimed during his weekly TV programme Thailand Happiness that he is confident that the confidence in the economy and investment in Thailand is improving...
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the Junta Chief, told his audience that Thailand's Board of Investments approved 91 projects' request for tax privileges during the past month.
The projects would see 260 billion Bath worth of projects invested in Thailand. Investments have been suspended during the time of political crisis.
- July 28th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 68th
- Thaksin Shinawatra's and Chuan Leekpai's birthdays are just two days apart, but the treatment of Thaksin Shinawatra and Chuan Leekpai by the ruling junta has raised accusations of double standards.
Lt Col Sirote Tasananond had to present a bouquet of flowers to Chuan Leekpai at the Democrat Party headquarters on Saturday on behalf of General Prayuth Chan-ocha ahead of Mr Chuan's today's birthday. Mr Chuan was a former Prime Minister and was brought to power by a Military Junta, not by democratic election.
But a celebration on July 26th for ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's 65th birthday by avid supporters and red shirts at the Imperial Department Store in Lat Phrao was cut short on the order of military officials.
A few days ago on July 12th the self appointed chief of Thailand's Military Junta told the nation that people with differing political views have to open themselves up first by learning to live with people with opposite thinking.
Obviously nothing else than empty words...
- Thailand's E-saan Center for Business and Economic Research claims that Isan people have voted Yingluck Shinawatra female politician public administrator of the year with 42.56%, but 52.70% felt no one deserved the title.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha won the same title for the male category, with 21.90%, followed by Thaksin Shinawatra (19.91%) and Abhisit Vejjajiva (6.92%), but 41.99% 'voters' said no one deserves this title.
As we recommended before: Never trust a statistic - unless you manipulated it yourself.
- According to a research by the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the average household debt in Thailand has reached a nine-year high.
The average household debt is currently 219'158 Baht, an increase of 16 percent from last year...
- Viboondhat Sudhantanakit, director general of the National Statistical Office, claims that unemployment rate continued to increase to 1.1% in June, with university graduates making up the largest group, but the jobless numbers are high during this time of year as the academic year has just ended, with new supply entering the job market, the lovely man reassures.
- Soldiers from Rangers Company 1205 of the Burapa Force rounded up 106 Cambodian illegal migrant workers near the border in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district.
The Cambodians said they were from Battambang province. They were waiting for transport to construction sites in Chon Buri and Rayong provinces.
Their former employers told them to let a smuggling gang lead them across the border to wait for transport on the Thai side. They were told that on arriving in Chon Buri and Rayong they could register for a work permit at the one-stop-service centre right away without having to pay 3'000-3'500 Baht each for a border pass in Cambodia and more at the one-stop-service registration centre in Aranyaprathet. They each paid 2'500 Baht to the smuggling gang. They will be repatriated...
No information if the Rangers are considering to take actions against their former employers and the smuggling gang...
- Read: The Junta's Charter Paints Grim Future for Thailand's Democracy
- July 29th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 69th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the self-appointed chief of his National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO), is expected to take up the roles of both prime minister and NCPO chief in the new cabinet line-up.
Former army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda will become a deputy prime minister and defence minister.
Gen Prayuth and Gen Anupong have a close relationship. They both served in the Queen's Guard and the Burapha Phayak task force.
ACM Itthiporn Supawong, a former air force chief, will become a deputy defence minister and air force commander ACM Prajin Jantong a deputy prime minister and transport minister.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced that the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will be established by the end of this month.
A total of 110 of the 200 members in a list submitted for royal endorsement are high-ranking officers in the armed forces, ranging from regional commanders to chiefs of staff, and retired officers with close ties to the NCPO.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha has proposed only 200 names for royal endorsement to make room for suitable individuals to be appointed later, he says. Under his interim charter, the NLA has 220 members.
- July 30th, 2014: Coup d'état Day 70th
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) has approved two high-speed train projects at a total cost of 741.4 billion Baht. The two routes are intended to serve as a transport link between Thailand and southern China. To reduce the cost of the project the maximum speed of the trains to be operated between Nong Khai and Map Ta Phut and between Chaing Khong and Ban Phachi had to be reduced to 160 kilometres per hour from 200 km/ph.
The construction of the two routes, initiated by the Yingluck Shinawatra Government, will begin next year and should be completed by 2021.
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha's National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) approved six more dual-track rail routes at a total construction budget of 117.4 billion Baht, also initiated by Yingluck Shinawatra's Government.
- July 31st, 2014: Coup d'état Day 71st
- General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the leader of Thailand's Military Junta, is urging Thai people to be proud of their linguistic heritage.
Thai language is a central feature of Thainess and a testament to Thai civilization, the General said and advised Thai people to preserve the purity of Thai language.
Thai people have be proud of their language because very few nations have a language of their own, the Chief of the National Committee for Peace and Order (NCPO) said.
- His Majesty the King of Thailand endorsed a list of 200 members for the Junta's National Legislative Assembly (NLA).
After the endorsement the names of the 200 members were published in the Royal Gazette.
The NLA comprises 200 members handpicked by the military regime.
105 are active and retired military officers and 10 are police officers. The remaining 85 NLA members are former senators, university rectors and businessmen. General Prayuth Chan-ocha has the right to handpick an additional 20 members and add them to the list.
According to General Prayuth Chan-ocha and other top NCPO leaders the NLA could hold its first meeting in August.
The new cabinet could be formed by September.
At the first meeting, presumably on August 7th, the new NLA members will select the speaker.
Then they will vote on a prime minister and form the government.
According to observers from Western Countries, Thailand is now under Military Dictatorship.
Thailand is now under full Military Dictatorship
Thailand has had more coups than any other country
Thailand has had more coups than any other country during the last 100 years.
According to Wikipedia Thailand enjoyed twelve Coup d'état since 1932.
According to Channel NewsAsia Thailand has seen at least 19 successful or attempted coups since 1932.
Read Wikipedia's background information about the 2014 Thai Coup d'état.
It seems that almost every Thai General has the mission to launch a Coup before he retires.
On May 27th, 2014, at about 21:00 local time, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) reduced curfew time from 22:00 to 04:00 to from 24:00 to 04:00. It took effect on May 28th. On June 3rd, 2014, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), signed an announcement ending the night curfew in Pattaya, Phuket and on Koh Samui immediately.
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On May 22nd, 2014, at 17:00 (Thailand Time) General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced the 12th Coup d'état in Thailand's hsitory.
 Military Junta Leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha pushed back general election promised for late 2015, saying that election must come with a new constitution and eleven reform areas. Therefore he can stretch election into 2016 or 2017...
The Dictator and his wife have declared a joint worth of 128 million Baht in assets and 654'745 Baht in debt. He said he could not remember the details, but all of the items could be examined and verified. I can justify my personal wealth, he claims.
On May 9th, 2013, the General sold nine plots of land totalling 50 rai located in Bangkok's Bang Bon district to 69 Property Co Ltd. The company has a British Virgin Islands address, was registered just 7 days before the deal and belongs to Thailand's liquor and property billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.
When Thaksin Shinawatra sold his AIS to Temasek Holdings, a company owned by the Government of Singapore, the very same Bangkok Elite called the deal a foulplay...
Selling assets to a foreign company is a legal way for Thai citizens to avoid paying taxes, but it seems it is a big difference if a member of Bangkok's Elite does the deal or a newcomer from Chiang Mai.
The Junta Leader ordered the media not publishing news about Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Dictator Prayuth Chan-ocha claims that Thaksin Shinawatra violated Thailand's law.
No progress on Jet Ski saga:
Pattaya City Hall still doesn't do anything to stop the scam!
All the announcements made during last year were City Hall Blah-Blah only...
As long as Jet Ski vendors - respectively their victims - fill up our officials' pockets nothing will happen!
The boats are overloaded, don't provide lifevests for all passengers, are badly maintaited and aren't covered by adequate insurance policies.
Pattaya's lazy and allegedly corrupt Officials promised to check owners, personnel and boats regularly, but they don't.
According to Pattaya Police, it is common in this resort that foreign tourists get drugged and robbed in their hotel rooms, apartments or houses by prostitutes or ladyboys.
Ladyboy Pick-Pocket Gangs are working almost daily on Pattaya's Beach Promenade!
Never wear Gold in Pattaya!
Never forget Chernobyl, Hiroshima & Fukushima!
General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) urged people to be happy.
We do our best to keep you happy and smiling.
Return Happiness
to the People
In Thai the sign announces a pedestrian crossing.
We already checked it: Its not a Google translation!
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