My story on the coup d’etat in Bangkok…will there be bloody clashes tonight?

[ Bangkok, 3.48am, 20 September 2006]

 

Rumors of a coup had been circulating in Bangkok for weeks, and foreigners like me had been ‘warned’ to be careful, don’t stay out late, move in groups, keep updated with news reports, watch the cable TV. 

So when it happened last night (Tuesday, Sept 19), I was hardly surprise. Nevertheless, I was excited. I have never experienced a coup before and I wanted to be in the thick of things. 

When I heard about the coup, it was already past 10pm, and I had just returned to my apartment after dinner. I tried to get a taxi to where the action is: the government house.  But no taxi seem to want to ferry me there. 

It became really frustrating. I wanted to know what was happening and started making phone calls, to check if my friends were safe and to pass on the news to those who were still partying. Some lines were interrupted and I couldn’t get in touch with a few souls. Fortunately, some of my friends were online and we started frantically exchanging information on the matter.  

I checked the TV channels. The cable TV at my apartment only offered CNN, but that too was shut down by 12am. The TV suddenly went blank, damn! The coup plotters had taken control of all TV stations, apparently because the embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra , who was in
New York, was giving interviews to the foreign press. 

An announcement on Thai television 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. At that juncture, at least 14 tanks surrounded the Government House, Thaksin’s office. 

I turned to the Internet to get more information but due to overloading, news sites unfurled slowly. I was desperate to know what was happening. From the little that I read, I knew witnesses were saying that several hundred troops were posted at key points around
Bangkok, including at government installations and major intersections.  

The situation seem really unclear. Speculation was rife. The fact that Thaksin called for a state of emergency while he was in
New York attending the UN Assembly made matters worse. On the other hand, military reformists circulated messages through Thai TV, saying : 

“There has been social division like never before. Each side has been trying to conquer another with all possible means and the situation tends to intensify with growing doubts on the administration amid widespread reported corruption. 

“State units and independent organisations have been politically meddled, not able to deliver their services as specified in the Constitution.  

“The administration is also usually bordering on “lest majest” actions against the revered King. Despite attempts from social units for compromises, there is no way to end the conflicts.  

“The revolution body thus needs to seize power. We have no intention to rule but to return the power to the people as soon as possible, to preserve peace and honour the King who is the most revered to all Thais”. 

The Thai friends I chatted online with were disturbed that Thaksin made the SoE announcement abroad. They said as citizens, they wanted to be the first to know. 

My boss who returned to Bangkok from
Singapore via Don Muang airport at about 10.30pm said the situation seemed normal, and peaceful, as usual.  

My Thai colleague Pong had been online since the news broke out and we have been updating each other on the current situation. Some people said they heard gun shots around the government house and Pong immediately called a journalist friend to find out if that was true, it turned out that things was calm as ever. Thank God for the Internet and mobiles. 

Silence is Golden, and the King has said no word thus far. Some quarters are saying that the King has no objection to what was going on. So far, he has not stepped in, he has not whispered a word. 

Others are saying he might actually be behind it – as this may be the only way for him to finally intervene and say “Thaksin Get Out!”. 

Sacked military commander Lt Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who is said to lead the coup against Thaksin, has declared his loyalty to the king and was reported to have met him. 

Therefore, one must read between the lines: 

“Weerasak Kohsurat, a deputy minister in a prior government, told Reuters he believed royal adviser Sumate Tantivejakul would head the reform commission and an interim government would be formed while political reforms were agreed”. 

What happens when Thaksin comes home? 

According to news reports, coup administrators said Thaksin, who is now on his way back from
New York, will not be allowed to resume his post as Prime Minister. While keen observers remarked that a pro-Thaksin faction might counter-attack tonight. However, like most of the previous 19 military coups since 1932, there was no violence. So, everyone’s keeping their fingers crossed that history repeats. If it happens, it’s gonna be bloody and complicated. 

At about 3am, my Thai colleague tells me that the military had declared today (Sept 20. Wednesday) a public holiday for “safety reasons”. Government agencies, banks, stock market, even many eateries will be closed. The airport is said to be still operating to allow people to leave the country for missions or visa runs. 

They say tonight there maybe clashes….but lets hope peace survives.