There you have it.
BANGKOK — Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday named army chief Gen Sondhi Boonyarataklin as the leader of an interim government after Tuesday’s coup.
The King, in a royal order, has confirmed Sondhi as leader of the Thai Political Reform Council, the armed forces group that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to a statement read by an anchor on the Army-controlled Channel 5 television channel.
The Thai Political Reform Council said earlier yesterday that it was in control of the southeast Asian country of 65-million people and declared allegiance to King Bhumibol.
Buh bye, Thaksin...
More here: King appoints coup commander
The Thai king has issued a royal command appointing General Sondhi Boonyaratglin (sohn TEE boon YA RAHT gah lin), as the president of an Administrative Reform Council. That council will take over the administration formerly led by Thanksin Shinawatra who arrived in Britain late on Tuesday.
The army commander who seized Thailand's government on Wednesday in a quick, bloodless coup pledged to hold elections by October 2007. He also hinted that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may face prosecution.
General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin said the intervention and mission were in response to the wishes of the people. And that the military is a part of the people.
Sondhi said he would act as prime minister for two weeks until a new leader is found. And also that a new interim constitution would be drafted within that time. And that Thailand's foreign policy and international agreements would remain unchanged.
Sondhi Boonyaratklin, Army Chief General said, "As for who will be the next prime minister we are in the process of checking and selecting. We want someone who is neutral and loves the democratic system that has a king at the head of the state."
More: Thai king endorses authority of coup leader
Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday endorsed a coup leader to head the new governing council, according to a televized announcement.
"In order to create peace in the country, the king appoints General Sonthi Boonyaratglin as head of the council of administrative reform," according to the announcement on state-run television.
"All people should remain peaceful and civil servants should listen to orders from General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin from now on."
The king's endorsement is widely seen as giving legitimacy to the new Council of Administrative Reform.
Sonthi led a takeover overnight without firing a shot, sending soldiers and tanks to guard major intersections and surround government buildings while the popularly elected Thaksin, accused of corruption and undermining democratic institutions, was abroad.
From Ellen Tordesillas: Coup jitters
I just came in from Cebu where I participated in the Cebu Press Freedom Week celebration. I’ll report about it later.
I woke up this morning to a CNN report about a coup in Thailand. Everybody I talked with in the Cebu forum remarked, “Nakakainggit naman ang Thailand.”
Malacañang and the military officials’ protestations that a similar coup won’t happen here betray their nervousness. As Shakespeare said, “The lady protests too much.”
When people start saying "nakaka-inggit ang thailand", it shows how disgusted many Filipinos are at this admin, and that they are willing to have a coup happen just to see Arroyo go.
More thoughts: I'd don't want a coup. i'd rather see her step down and call for special elections.
but the one thing I will never do is support or defend this corrupt and illegitimate government kung magkaroon ng coup.
I wish Arroyo would step down na, call for special elections, and end this national nightmare, but the longer she continues to cling to power, mas magiging malaking posibilidad ang coup.
And no, Cha cha or a shift to parliamentary will not prevent future people powers or coups.
UPDATE: From the Washington Post: Thai crowds jubilant after bloodless coup
BANGKOK, Thailand — Jubilant crowds in this sultry capital embraced Thailand's new military leadership on Wednesday, as Thais showered soldiers with flowers, posed for photo-ops with tanks and welcomed a bloodless coup that deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra a day earlier.
Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, the army chief who led the rebellion and who is now the acting prime minister, vowed an interim leader would be appointed within two weeks. But in an indication that the restoration of democracy is a long way off, he said elections would wait until October 2007, after the drafting of a new constitution.
For now, the military remains in control of a country that had become one of the strongest beacons of democracy in Southeast Asia. Provincial governors will be forced to report to four regional army commanders. To prevent any possible uprisings among Thaksin's supporters, based in the rural north and northeast, the provisional military authority banned political gatherings of five of more people. And some television and radio reports have been blocked or censored.
Despite the period of uncertainty, ushered in by a coup that was widely scorned by the United States and other foreign governments, many Thais in the capital appeared overjoyed.
"Democracy has won!" said an ecstatic Orathai Dechodomphan, 59, a tailor and Thaksin opponent who joined hundreds of people handing out roses to soldiers near the army headquarters. "Thaksin tried to steal power and did not respect our king. He never would have left on his own. What happened yesterday is our first step toward recovering a real democracy."
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was seen by many here as having effectively allowed Thaksin's removal, endorsed Sondhi, appointing him the official head of a new governing council charged with creating "peace in the country," according to an announcement televised nationally.
UPDATE: A huge majority of thais, 84%, support the coup
The coup makers argued that their actions were necessary to purge corrupt and undemocratic government leaders and officials. They all say that in the beginning. The jury is still out and the timeframe for the leaders to prove themselves is very narrow.
On the other hand, this coup is quite popular both in Bangkok and in the provinces. A survey conducted by Suan Dusit showed that the majority of Thais - 84 per cent - support the coup. Support was higher in the provinces at 86 per cent compared with 82 per cent in Bangkok.
It is interesting to note that 75 per cent believed that the political situation would improve, while 5 per cent thought it would get worse. The middle-class and elite in Bangkok and major cities mostly welcome the coup, seeing it as the sole option left to restore normalcy after months of political stalemate.
Their support must be viewed in the context that they accept the coup as a short-term means to deal with the political impasse, not as a long-term solution.
Between these two arguments, however, it is imperative to see this coup in a more calm and rational manner. His Majesty the King has given his tacit endorsement to Sonthi's leadership and integrity. When Uttaradit was flooded and suffered severe damage at the end of May, His Majesty spoke to Sonthi and asked the Army to provide immediate assistance. This footage was shown widely on evening TV programs.
His Majesty's support is crucial for two reasons. First, it helped consolidate Sonthi's position and win the support of the rank and file from various regions and headquarters. Moreover, it also helped prevent bloody clashes between rival military groups. On Tuesday evening, troops loyal to Class 10, headed by Thaksin's buddy Maj-General Prin Suwannathat, were still active and positioned in strategic spots on the outskirts of Bangkok. It is not wrong to say that without Royal support, troops commanded by Sonthi and Maj-General Anupong Phaochinda, commander of the First Army Region, would have encountered fierce resistance. The outcome would have been uncertain.
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