September 2006 : 19 September 2006, the termination of the Constitution B.E. 2540 The army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratklin staged a coup to overthrow the government of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The group call itself the Administrative Reform Council and claims to be led by chiefs of the armed force and police. The coup leaders announced the suspension of Parliament, Cabinet, the Constitution Court and the Constitution, Gen. Sonthi informed public that last government caused severe division within nation, destroyed national unity and wide spread corruption. The significant commands by the CDRM Regarding independent organizations: the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) announced orders for the dissolution of the Constitution, Senate, Parliament and Constitution Court. The status of Parliament Ombudsman will be maintained by reviving the Parliament Ombudsmen Act. The dissolution of the State Audit Commission, which had been the supervisory body of the Auditor – General’s office. The auditor-general has sole authority to probe corruption allegations. A nine-member National Counter Corruption Commission is appointed to fill the vacant seats. Regarding politics : Political meetings and gatherings of more than 5 people have been banned. The political Parties Act has been upheld. Existing parties will not be dissolved, but they cannot engage in any political activities. No political rallies in rural areas The 22nd order of CDRM banned the activities of local activities. The CDRM said in a statement that tambon and provincial administration organizations as well as other organization must halt political activity either in support of or opposition to the CDRM. The Council feared political activity at this time could caused rifts in society. New the CDRM installed the 9 NCCC New the CDRM installed the 9 NCCC installed the 9 NCCC members and tasked them with ensuring the smooth functioning of anti-graft operation within 2 weeks. The newly appointed NCCC under the CDRM are: Mr.Panthep Glanarongran Chairman and 8 members: Mr.Klanarong Chantik, Mr.Wicha Mahakhun, Mr.Wichai Wijitsevi, Mr.Prasart Pongsiwa pai, Mrs.Somluck Chadkrabuanpol, Mr.Jaidet Pornchaiya, Mr.Medhi Kongkaew, Mr.Pakdee Pothisiri. The CDRM’s order establishing an asset investigation committee As the 23rd statement of Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) the previous administration was terminated on suspicion of abusing its power for its members’ or groups’ personal interests, causing great damage to the country. The CDRM therefore issued and order for asset investigation. An asset-investigation committee will include: Sawat Chotepanit as chairman The Auditor-General as a committee member The Attorney-General or representative as a committee member The secretary-General of the National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) or representative as a committee member The secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) or representative as a committee member The Judge Advocate-General or representative as a committee member The Bank of Thailand governor or representative as a committee member The secretary-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or representative as a committee member The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) was assigned to do administrative tasks and any jobs assigned by the committee. The committee is assigned to accomplish its work within one year of this statement. After one year, it must pass unfinished cases to the AMLO, NCCC and OAG to finish the cases as appropriate. Martial Law announced in 3 southern provinces including Haad Yai Lt.Gen. Ongkorn Thongprasom, the Fourth Army Region said that after September 19, 2006 the 3 southern provinces: Yala, Pattani and Narathivat provinces including Hadd Yai in Songkhla province had been ordered for security control under the matial law and the emergency decree. Suvarnabhumi Airport to open on schedule Suvarnabhumi airport officially opened on Thursday, 28 September as scheduled. The first flight at 03.05 hrs. was Lufthansa LH 8442 from Frankfurt and followed by Swiss Air ZW 171 from Kief at 04.03 hrs. However many problems found because of the internal management problems. Flooded with complaints over laggage delays and the crashed computer on the opening day. Thai Chamber of commerce proposed to follow the sufficiency economy Mr.Dusit Nontanakorn Secretary General, Thai Chamber of commerce said that the seminar of the chamber of commerce on 11-12 November would emphasize in 3 categories: The way to develop sufficiency economy of private sector to better understanding in running business. The capacity to gear up in the country competition by brain storming on internal economy to the government, Problem and constraints of provincial economy development. Draft charter 39 articles The interim charter composed of 39 articles drafted by 4 university academics; Thammasart, Chulalongkorn, Ramkhumhaeng and Sukhothai Thammathirat open university which chaired by Mr.Meechai Ruchuphan. The enactment of the interim charter will be at October, 1 2006 on the someday of the interim Prime Minister nomination. Then the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) will be renamed the Council of National Security (CNS). After the interim charter comes into force, 250 people will be selected by CDR to be members of the legislature. Later, the people’s assembly with 2000 representatives from various sectors, professions and regions who will be asked to elect 200 constitution drafters from their number. The CDR will pick half of the 200 candidates for the Constitution Drafting Assembly as charter writers. The Constitution Drafting Assembly will select 25 experts from different sector and another 10 persons from Constitution Drafting Assembly. These 35 persons will be the drafters. The procedure of drafting the constitution will have six months to write the text and 90 days for screening, reading by the CNS, and a public referendum to endorse the new constitution. If the new constitution is unaccepted, the 1997 constitution will be amended and after 60 days, the general election will be announced. The 24th Prime Minister The Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) submitted the appointment the 24th Prime Minister for royal endorsement. Gen. Surayud Chulanont, the privy council member will be nominated as the interim Prime Minister. The new Prime Minister is expected to lead an interim government for a year while a new constitution is being written.