[侧眼看世界]泰国第19次政变19th coup in Siam

Photo by: Adrian Kam

Venue: Thailand, 2006

This is 19th coup in Thailand since World War 2. The last one was in 1992, which was 15 years ago. Since then, Thailand under the democracy government develops tremendously but unfortunately hit by "Tomyam Economic Crisis" in 1997.

The Thai PM, Mr Thaksin, a Hakka-Chinese root, who born in Chiang Mai in 1942, is the target of this coup. He become the PM since 2001 and bcome the first Thai PM who won consequence in election. However, his family business, a Telco, sold to Singapore government investment arm, Temasek in Jan 2006, faced protest in Thailand and forced to call for earlier General Election (GE) in April 2006. But the GE was declared unconstitutional in May by Constitutional Court due to boycott by the opposition party. The new election will be held in November 2006.

The coup leader, the Army Chief, General Sonthi, who is a Muslim from South Thailand and was hand picked by Mr Thaksin to solve the Thai-Muslim rebel. Gneral Sonthi again and again ruled out any coup when Thailand in political crisis and even warned off those army leaders who close to Mr Thaksin.

Who know, now the coup is lead by him, General Sonthi. I personally think this is very much due to the latest terrorist attack in Hatyai. General Sonthi said the Thai government needs to change his attitude and talk with the rebel group after the Hatyai blast. Some may say it's planned much early.

Ex-Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai told that Thaksin had forced the military to act. He said "As politicians, we do not support any kind of coup, but during the past five years, the government of Thaksin created several conditions that forced the military to stage the coup. Thaksin has caused the crisis in the country,".

No matter how, the army with a yellow ribbon on their weapon, show that they are royal to Thai King, Bumipol. I just worry the other fraction of army leaders who support Thaksin may react then it gotta be a civil war.

Hope that this only temporary and will restore the democracy in very very short time. I hope my friends (Siew Hwa, Rashid Kang , Susan & etc) who working in Bangkok are safe. God blesses you.