Stories tagged with coup
-
Bomb hits airport, kills one
One man, age 29, was killed and 22 were injured at the Don Mueang Airport early Tuesday morning. The Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has held the airport hostage for several days, protesting the current government and demanding the Prime Minister resign.
The explosion hit the incoming terminal building just after midnight when many of the PAD protesters were asleep. This is one in a succession of bombs that have targeted the anti-government protesters in the past couple weeks.
The loud explosion caused panic and turmoil in the masses of PAD protesters. Some protesters ran from the site while others donned riot gear in preparation for another clash. Earlier, many protesters told media they were willing to die for their cause.
The atmosphere is becoming tenser as the days go by. Many are worried about a court decision expected to arrive on Tuesday that may add fuel to the fire. Pro-government supporters are also assembling in large numbers with no hint of backing down from the PAD.
Posted by: Andrew on 02 Dec 2008, 08:00 -
Bangkok airport’s shut down
Bangkok airport’s shut down
Thailand’s two major airports have now been closed indefinitely due to the mob of anti-government protesters. Somchai Wongsawat, the current Thai Prime Minister, said he would not stand for the PAD taking the two major airports in Bangkok hostage. He said he would now take action against the protesters.
"It is wrong for protesters to take the entire Thai nation hostage," Mr Somchai said, according to AFP news agency. "The government is not intending to hurt anybody... and the emergency will be temporary," he added.
Travelers have been canceling trips and connecting flights have been re-routed. The latest action by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has hit Thailand right in the pocket book. The current protests are costing the country millions in lost revenue and halted international exports.
Travelers have been stranded at the airport for days. Others have taken buses out of Bangkok to other major airports including Chiang Mai and Phuket. Many travelers said they still might still be days away from getting back home.
Posted by: Andrew on 28 Nov 2008, 09:30 -
Thai army calls for PM to step down
Rejecting a call from Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to declare a state of emergency, army commander Anupong Paojinda has instead advised the prime minster to step down or dissolve the House of Representatives in a bid to ease the tensions that are threatening to thrust Thailand into complete upheaval.
General Anupong’s recommendation came during a brief private meeting with Samak shortly after the prime minister met with his Defense Council. Despite the fact that all 17 of Thailand’s previous military coups have happened after repeated denials that the army would take action, General Anupong stated that a military coup would not solve Thailand’s political problems this time.
Samak asked Anupong whether the army was prepared to back him if he declared a state of emergency, but the general firmly stated that he disagreed with the military option out of a fear for potential violence. A source inside the government stated, “he refuses to mobilise troops even if the prime minister goes ahead and declares a state of emergency. He wants the prime minister to first deploy police to handle the situation.”
PAD protestors are now in their fourth day of disruptions, which have greatly escalated with each day. First Army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha already has two battalions on stand-by, and all army units stationed in Bangkok are reportedly ready to step in if PAD protestors scale up their attacks on government buildings. It appears likely the army is ready to assume control, despite Anupong’s pleas for restraint. The source implied that if they military stages a coup to remove Samak and his government it will also take down the PAD group in the process.
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Aug 2008, 17:34 -
Mass protests threaten to unseat govt
The political standoff between the Government and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) reached crisis point on Friday morning as the tens of thousands of PAD protesters laid siege to Government House in Bangkok, in a final attempt to force the cabinet to resign. Violence erupted when a 5000-strong anti riot squad tried to evict them from the nearby Makkasan Bridge, promptly massed threats from unions and groups across the country.
In scenes reminiscent of the massed protests that eventually prompted a coup to overthrow former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the 8-month old government were faced with the dilemma of letting the anarchy continue and spiral out of control or use force to disperse them. Thailand has previously had two traumatic experiences of the police getting violent with protestors and on both occasions the government were eventually compelled to step down.
The current protest has been building for several months but took an ugly turn on Tuesday when the PAD usurped their peaceful demonstrations with more militant attacks and occupation of several government buildings and a TV station which they accuse of being government bias. Despite the PAD losing some credibility in the move, the aggressive response from Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has prompted many civil groups to threaten civil disobedience in support of the PAD. The result is the closure of several airports and threats of strikes.
The PAD's main goal of their 'final push' is to force the current government, lead by the PPP, to step down, despite their being democratically elected after the junta returned civilian rule in January of this year. However they have come under increasing criticism for being self-serving, incompetent, corrupt and acting as a proxy for Thaksin, who is now in London, a fugitive from a pending corruption case.
Although the protest is some distance from tourist sites in Bangkok and unlikely to effect their safety, the situation could rapidly spiral out of control and force the military to become involved. Of more concern to tourists is the disruption to transport services resulting in the protests expanding out of Bangkok, particularly to highways and airports.
Breaking news from The Nation
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Aug 2008, 13:32