BANGKOK, May 22 (PNA/ITAR-TASS) — Thailand’s military has announced the temporary suspension of the country’s Constitution just hours after declaring a state coup in the South-East Asian nation.
In a televised address, the Thai military said that despite the constitution’s suspension, courts, Senate and independent institutions, such as the Election Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, continue to operate in a routine mode.
The current Thai Constitution was developed after the 2006 coup in the country, when then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted from power.
Thailand’s army chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, seized control of the government in a coup on Thursday, two days after declaring martial law, saying the military had to restore order and push through reforms after six months of turmoil.
The military declared a 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. curfew, suspended the constitution and detained some politicians. It later summoned former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and 22 others, including relatives and ministers in her ousted government.
Rival protest camps were ordered to disperse and media censored. There were no reports of violence.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said there was no justification for a coup, which would have “negative implications” for ties. The United States was reviewing its military and other assistance, “consistent with U.S. law”.
Thailand is locked in a protracted power struggle between supporters of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and opponents backed by the royalist establishment that has polarized the country and battered its economy.
“In order for the situation to return to normal quickly and for society to love and be at peace again … and to reform the political, economic and social structure, the military needs to take control of power,” Prayuth said in a televised address.
The general made his broadcast after a meeting to which he had summoned the rival factions, with the aim of finding a compromise to defuse anti-government protests.
But no progress was made and Prayuth wound up the gathering by announcing he was seizing power, according to a participant.
The Thai armed forces have a long history of intervening in politics – there have been 18 previous successful or attempted coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, most recently when Thaksin was deposed in 2006.
Hundreds of soldiers surrounded the meeting at Bangkok’s Army Club shortly before the coup announcement and troops took away Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protests.
Some political party leaders were also detained, witnesses said.
Prayuth, who has for months been trying to keep the army out of the political confrontation, assumed the powers of the prime minister. (Philippine News Agency/Itar-Tass with reports from Reuters)
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