 May 2014 : Coup d'état
Constitution suspended after Army took over On 22 May at 16.59 hrs. Army and Police Chiefs, called themselves National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), overturned the caretaker government and suspended the 2007 Constitution. Many orders and announcements were subsequently televised including the summons of politicians, protesters of both pro and anti- government groups and former members of caretaking cabinet to the army facility. They were taken to be detained in the military camps for a maximum period of 5-7 days and later released in accord to the martial law. Curfew from 22.00 t 05.00 was imposed countrywide and political gathering of more than 5 people was banned. The 2007 Constitution was suspended except for the chapter of monarchy, the Senate, courts and independent organs. The Senate was later dissolved but the others continue to operate normally. NCPO bestowed administrative power in its leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha. The cabinet functions were performed by the permanent secretaries. Satellite and digital TV programs and community radio broadcasting were temporary suspended and social media cooperation was requested particularly on publication that might incite unrest. Two days before the coup, military chief Gen. Prayuth, on 20 May, imposed a martial law nationwide. He said through a television pool that the imposition was due to continuous violence from various sides and was for the purpose of allowing the army to maintain and restore peace in a more effective manner. On 21 May, the army invited 5 representatives each from the Senate, Election Commission, caretaker government, People Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), Phue Thai and Democrat parties and United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to a meeting to co-find solution to resolve the conflicts. The meeting continued into 22 May and still no single agreement/ solution was reached. At 16.59 hrs. Gen. Prayuth announced he regretfully had to seize the power and everyone, except the Senate, was taken for detention. The PRCD and UDD protestors were peacefully disband and on 23 May the army provided free transportation to take them all to the bus and rail terminals. The Coup’s reasons On 23 May, NCPO leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha held a meeting with heads of civil service agencies. He begged for their cooperation and said the coup aims to resolve conflict among political fractions. In the past few years, the country was run inefficiency and independent organs were rifted. During the 6 months of protest by PDRC, the situations worsen into unrest, violence and losses of lives in both civilians and officers. Moreover, national economy sank due to confidential and investment declined. Agricultural section was badly hurt from the Rice Pledge Scheme. International response and impact The BBC reported US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement saying he was disappointed and requested Thailand should return to its civilian government as soon as possible. The joint Thai-US military drill in June was cancelled and USD 10 million military aid suspended. France President Francois Hollande and German Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the coup and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his concern and called for a prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule. The Council of the European Union concluded on 23 June that the EU and its member states will not sign the partnership and cooperation agreement with Thailand until a democratically elected government is in place. Australia decreased military cooperation and protocol with the Thai Army. The US reaction was criticised on its strong support to the UDD. During the PDRC protest, on 27 February 2014, First Secretary of the Political Division of the US Embassy to Thailand made a visit to the Red Shirt village and community radio station in Nong Bua Sub-district in Udon Thani’s Muang District. After a brief statement over its concern on the situation, the Republic of China Foreign Ministry issued a statement on 26 May on a stance to continue its cooperation with Thailand. On 25 May, Thaksin Shinawatra legal consultant Robert Amsterdam disclosed a plan that Thaksin and Yingluck are setting up a government-in-exile. He cited Cambodia might be the ideal country. However, the idea was quickly denied by Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen. Some few core leaders of the ruling party also said Cambodian Government has no policy to interfere directly or indirectly into any foreign country domestic matters. A national roadmap to election On 30 May, NCPO announced an administration roadmap divided into 3 phases: Phase 1: A reconciliation. National peace and unity would be rebuilt within the first 2-3 months and reconciliation centers set up countrywide. The army will invite all rival parties to share dialogue and to resolve differences. However, the reconciliation does not mean a grant amnesty to anyone. Phase 2: A reform. In about a year or more, depends on progress, there would be an interim charter, a national legislative body, an interim premier and cabinet and a national reform council. Phase 3: A general election. After the improvement and enforcement of laws and regulations, there will be a transparent election and good governance. . Huge weapons seized before and after coup On 16 May, few days before the coup, a trivial robbery was reported in Chantra Resort in Nakorn Nayok Province but when the policemen went on searching they found a lot of war weapons in one car. The resort’s owner is former Phue Thai MP Sittichai Kittitanesuan and he refused any connection to the arrested man. Rumor went on that the officers received a phone call from a prominent politician was asked them to halt the investigation. However, it was too late since the army was already informed. After the imposition of martial law, on 20 May, a former military scout was arrested in his house in Lopburi Province. Searched officers found lots of arm weapons and unfinished explosives devices. He said the weapons belonged to his friend but admitted he was hired to re-assemble the bombs. One set of explosion was finished and sent to create violence in Bangkok. Also on 20 May, militants combed a rented room in Samut Songkram Province and found dozens of bullets and one M79 grenade rifle. The woman renter is a Red Shirt. She confessed those weapons belong to her. After the coup, on 23 May, a group of 21 suspects were arrested in Khon Khaen Province with lots of war weapons, a few vehicles and documents. A plan to create anti-coup sabotages, Khon Kaen Model, in big cities such as Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nakorn Ratchsima, Ubon Thani and Kalasin was revealed. Regarding to the Plan, 4 steps would be undertaken; 1) to disarm authorities and troops, 2) to sabotage financial institution, 3) to distribute the robbed money to the poor, and 4) to declare “zero debt” populace policy across the country. In the Northern provinces, militants were deployed into hundreds of Red Shirt villages to seek cooperation from the villagers. Red flags and banners were asked to be put down and core leaders’ houses and community radio stations were also searched. People suspected of involvement with financial transaction to support violence were also arrested for inquiring. Seized weapons and financial evidences were taken for further investigation. Coup resistance took place in Bangkok after May 22. The protesters held anti-coup movements at several places. The officers used moderate-to-strict measures to resolve the situations. A few hard core offenders were taken into custody and trialed in the military court. Bombs blasted in Pattani On 24 May at 19.30 hrs., 9 bombs exploded simultaneously at 5 convenient stores and 4 gas stations in Pattani Provinces. The whole town went black out and the joint rescued team of more than 500 militants-police-civilians were sent to ease the situations. One dead was found at a place and 59 injured people were sent to the hospitals where one died later. On 28 May another explosion went on in a parking lot of Kok Pho District Hospital in Pattani. 10 injuries were reported. Anti-protest operation receipts required On 17 May, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) sent a letter to the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) requested its head to deliver receipts of expenditures occurred during its anti-protest operations between 22 January to 22 March 2014. There are 10 agencies operated under the CAPO supervision and their expenditures total to Baht 2,747 million. Those belonged to: DSI 20 MB, Defense Ministry 11.3 MB, Internal Security Operations Command 53.56 MB, and National Police Agency 1,978.93 MB. The top spender National Police Agency had spent a total of 1,444 MB. The most went to daily allowance of Baht 300 per officer per day and the rest on administration and investment cost. The 534 MB administration was sub-divided into administration and investment. While the general administration cost was 303 MB, 231 MB was on investment. The latte also subdivided into 59 MB field uniforms, 47 MB office equipment, 208 MB bullet proof helmets, 18 MB digital telescopes and 3 MB CCTV cameras and recording devices. Yingluck indicted guilty on rice mortgage scheme On 8 May, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) resolved 7-0 that former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was guilty of negligence to monitor the Rice Pledge program. In regards to Article 11(1) of the Administration Law, the indictment would be forward to the Senate to decide whether to remove her from the premiership. NACC reasoned Yingluck could neither disclaim her responsibility as the policy-maker of the Government nor the operational monitoring task as the chairperson of the National Rice Policy Committee. She had been officially informed twice by the NACC on the program weaknesses that could easily lead to corruption. Moreover, during the House of Reps debate, the Prime Minister has acknowledged the program had accumulated a loss of more than Baht 300 billion. Regarding to Yingluck premiership has been terminated by the Constitution Court ruling since 7 May, a decision on her removal would be retroactive and upon effective, she would be barred from political rights for 5 years and also prosecuted according to the criminal law. Farmers’ debt paid after the coup Since 26 May, the rice farmers’ debt problem was resolved by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) who ordered the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative (BAAC) to advance its fund, of not exceed than Baht 40,000 million, to pay the farmers’ debt and another Baht 92,431 million loan would be facilitated by the Finance Ministry. Between 26 to 30 May, payment was made to 303,950 households and it’s equivalent to Baht 30,878,230 million. The BAAC anticipated all households payment would be succeddingly completed by the end of June. On 27 May, the National Anti-corruption Commission (NACC) resolved to investigate another 4 alibis as requested by Yingluck’s attorney. They were: Director-General of the Internal Trade Department, Secretary to the Finance Ministry, Inspector to the Finance Ministry and Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperative. The NACC also extended a short list of persons holding political positions to be investigated to those posted during the period when Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan was Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister and Yanyong Puangratch was deputy Commerce Minister. Formerly the program anticipated the white rice to be sold at Baht 23,000 per ton but the Commerce Ministry reported that it was actually sold at Baht 12,000 -14,000 and during the caretaker government, it dropped further to Baht 8,000 per ton. These led to a re-calculation by the Rice Pledge Accounting System Sub-committee. The estimated from the total amount of rice sold between 2011 to 2014, the loss could exceed Baht 500 billion. The Sub-committee also found the absent of 3 million tons of rice in the stock inventory was only a number. Actually these rice did not exist, therefore, the loss could be higher than anticipation due to enormous amount of rice in many warehouses was rotten. CC terminated Yingluck post On 7 May, the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra violated Article 266(2) (3) and 268 when interfering in the reshuffling of senior government officials, of covering up of facts in the unusual and speedy transfer, falsifying date in the transfer order to cover up facts, and aiding relative to get promotion to top police post which is a blatant interference of senior government reshuffle. The Court ruled that the caretaker premiership status as well as other 9 cabinet members who endorsed the cabinet resolution on this issue in the 6 September 2011 should be terminated according to Article 182(7) As soon as the verdict was read, series of gun fire was heard in front of the Court premise. The Court Secretarial Chawana Trimas ordered the Court office to immediately close for 2 days for safety. However, the threat went on into 8 May night when one M79 grenade was fired into the house of CC judge Supote Kaimook. Thawil Pliensri was transferred from national security chief to an advisor to the Prime Minister in September 2011. He was replaced by former national police chief Pol Gen Photo Phosri. As the police chief post vacant, Khunying Pojaman Damapong Shinawatra’s brother Pol Gen Pliewphan Dampong was appointed to the position. Since 9 caretaker ministers were terminated with Yingluck, the caretaker cabinet has only 25 left. The caretaker cabinet resolve to promote Second deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan to perform the premiership function. Surachai voted to Senate Speaker On 9 May, the Senate voted 96 to 51 and 1 abstain to choose the Senate vice president Surachai Liangboonlertchai to the senate president. The seat was vacant after the Constitution Court ruled Nikom Wairatpanich guilty due to his approval of the amendment of the Senate composition in the Constitution. Surachai was strongly opposed by Phue Thai party on ground he is a selected senator. They afraid he might adhere to the PDRC’s calling of submitting a neutral person to become a new prime minister. Surachai tried to resolve the national conflict shortly after the votes by invited representatives from caretaker government, the courts and independent organs to have a dialogue. His attempt was fruitless and no responsive. Amid rumors that Thaksin Shinawatra was buying 35 senators with a Baht 200 million each, Surachai made another attempt by going out to seek opinions from different societal groups. After the coup on 22 May, the Senate was to continue for 2 days but was dissolved on 24 May. Nurak Mapraneet to become CC president On 21 May President of the Constitutional Court Charoon Intajarn stepped down from the presidential post. The judges panel agreed to appoint Nurak Mapraneet to become the new president. Charoon reasoning his decision that he is turning the retirement age of 70 years old at May ends but he will remain a member of the 9-member panel of the Constitutional Court Judge until the retirement as required by the law. Abhisit’s political roadmap On 3 May, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva unvieled his roadmap to reform the country. He said it was synthetized from ideas from many societal fractions and stressed that the reform procedure must be carried out in a free-and-fair manner, acceptable to everyone, and last but not least, no amnesty involved during those processes. There are 10 steps in the roadmap as follow:
Abhisit also announced he would cease from political positions and statuses during the reform period. Compensation on Klong Dan case required On 16 May the Pollution Control Department (PCD), cited the National Anti-Corruption conviction, ordered 14 people and their heirs, to pay compensation fee totaled Baht 20 billion over their criminal offense from the water treatment project in Klong Dan District, Samutprakan Province. They are:
From : http://www.fpps.or.th |