Thai military coup sparks state of emergency

The Thai military launched a coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra tonight, circling his offices with tanks, seizing control of television stations and declaring a provisional authority loyal to the king.

An announcement on national television and radio stations declared that a “Council of Administrative Reform” with King Bhumibol Adulyadej as head of state had seized power in Bangkok and nearby provinces without any resistance.

“The armed forces commander and the national police commander have successfully taken over Bangkok and the surrounding area in order to maintain peace and order.

“There has been no struggle,” the announcement said.

“We ask for the cooperation of the public and ask your pardon for the inconvenience.”

An army general, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said that the army commander-in-chief, General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, had used the military to take over power from the prime minister.

The anonymous general said troops were moved from the western province of Kanchanaburi to stage the coup.

He said the coup-makers arrested Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Defence Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya – two who are close and loyal to Thaksin – and that Chitchai agreed to resign.

In a vain attempt to stave off the coup, Thaksin had ordered Sondhi to report to Chitchai immediately, effectively dismissing him from his military duties.

Thaksin announced his move when he declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, when he spoke on TV Channel 9 from New York.

The coup initially went largely unnoticed in Thailand’s popular tourist districts, where foreigners packed beer bars and cabarets oblivious to the activity about two miles away, but word raced among street vendors selling T-shirts, who packed up their carts quickly and started heading home.

The move came a day before a major rally – the first in several months – was to be staged in Bangkok by a anti-Thaksin coalition which has been seeking his resignation for alleged corruption and the abuse of power.

Mass street protests demanding Thaksin’s replacement began late last year, resulting in a political crisis that has dragged on for months. In recent days, Thaksin had hinted that he might leave the political scene.

At least 14 tanks surrounded Government House, Thaksin’s office. The prime minister himself was in New York attending the UN General Assembly.

“The prime minister, with the approval of the Cabinet, declares serious emergency law in Bangkok from now on” he said from New York.

He said he was ordering the transfer of the nation’s army chief to work in the prime minister’s office, effectively suspending him from his military duties.

Several hundred soldiers were deployed at keys points in the capital of Bangkok, including government installations and major intersections, witnesses said.

A dozen soldiers patrolled around the Erawan Hotel, a major tourist facility in the heart of the business district.

In Washington, the State Department said it had seen various reports of military movements.

“We are monitoring developments closely but the situation at the moment is unclear,” Kenneth Bailes, a spokesman, said.

“We look to the Thai people to resolve their political differences in a peaceful manner and in accord with the principles of democracy and the rule of law,” he continued.

Meanwhile in Thailand, the army-owned TV channel 5 interrupted regular broadcasts with patriotic music and showed pictures of the king.

At least some radio and television stations monitored in Bangkok suspended programming.

The cable television station of the Nation newspaper reported that tanks were parked at the Rachadamnoen Road and Royal Plaza close to the Royal Palace and government offices.

Local radio station Ruam Duay Chuay Kan interrupted its programming just as a reporter was about to give information from Government House.