- Thailand’s new army junta aimed at neutralising critics and potential opposition and ordered outspoken activists, academics and journalists to surrender themselves to military authorities.The junta is already holding government officials in secret locations.
- They have placed all law-making authority in the army chief’s hands,tightening its grip after a coup that has sparked Bangkok protests and drawn international condemnation. USA had cancelled ongoing military exercises and planned visits with Thailand
- Most of the top politicians (including former Premier Yingluck Shinawatra), have been detained incommunicado by the junta .Deputy army spokesman Col. Weerachon Sukondhapatipak said the military’s aim was to achieve a political compromise & that the detainees were in no danger.
- Crticism by various quarters :
- Among those ordered to report to the military was Pravit Rojanaphruk, an outspoken columnist for the English-language daily The Nation as he tweeted earlier that the more they exercise their illegitimate power the more illegitimate they become.
- Another on the list, professor of Southeast Asian studies Pavin Chachavalpongpun, said that the junta summons due to insecurity and this is not about paving the way for reform and democratisation and its a crudest form of authoritarianism.”
- An army bulletin on national tv said that the Senate is dismissed.
- Amnesty International said that people simply expressing opinions must not be penalised
- Thailand’s democracy has been repeatedly stunted since 1932.
- Analysts called this developments an ominous sign that the junta led by the Army chief, General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, could be digging in for a long-term, pervasive takeover and the Senate would be retained.
- Sporadic protests flared in Bangkok with hundreds of demonstrators defying a ban on political gatherings with echoing calls from US, EU for the restoration of civilian rule.
- Civil liberties curbed, media restrictions imposed, most of the Constitution abrogated, and rival protesters from both sides of the political divide were cleared from the capital.
- The military said that Gen. Prayut had sent a letter regarding his takeover to the country’s revered king, Bhumibol Adulyadej.the King had “acknowledged” the letter and legitimize
Thailand’s recurring military takeovers.The palace has yet to issue a statement on the crisis.
Exams Perspective:
- Unrest in Thailand
- Amnesty International