Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www1.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/09/21/292621/Thai coup leader vows elections in one year.htm
A child stands by the roadside as a tank rolls past Government House in Bangkok yesterday. Thailand's army chief has vowed to clean up the country's political landscape and return "power to the people" as soon as possible after a bloodless coup against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thai coup leader vows elections in one year
Created: 2006-09-21 CST, Updated: 2006-09-21 CST
THE army commander who seized Thailand's government in a quick, bloodless coup pledged yesterday to hold elections by October next year, and received a ringing endorsement from the country's revered king as ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra headed to London.
"In order to create peace in the country, the king appoints General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin as head of the Council of Administrative Reform," according to an announcement on state-run television.
"All people should remain peaceful and civil servants should listen to orders from General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin from now on."
Governments around the world condemned the coup. Many advised their citizens to exercise caution in the kingdom and some warned them against traveling to the Southeast Asian tourist hub.
In the first sign of anti-coup sentiment, Thaksin supporters faced off with rival groups that were celebrating the coup at two separate gatherings in Bangkok. Soldiers intervened, narrowly averting clashes.
Asked if there would be moves to confiscate Thaksin's vast assets, Sondhi said at a news conference that "those who have committed wrongdoings have to be prosecuted according to the law."
A British government spokesman said Thaksin was en route to Britain, where he has a residence in London.
Most residents and tourists in Bangkok were calm and unfazed yesterday.
"I'm not worried because I know this happened for a reason," said a 31-year-old Swiss national who only gave his name as Alex. "Many people want Thaksin to go. It is like a release for everyone."
A statement from coup leaders urged workers and farmers - Thaksin's key constituents - to remain calm, and said unauthorized gatherings of more than five people were punishable by six months in prison under martial law.
The Nation newspaper in Bangkok said several senior government officials and others close to Thaksin had been arrested, their fates unknown.
Central bank head Pridiyathorn Devakula said that the public has accepted the coup, so it was unlikely to have much impact on foreign confidence in the country.
"In order to create peace in the country, the king appoints General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin as head of the Council of Administrative Reform," according to an announcement on state-run television.
"All people should remain peaceful and civil servants should listen to orders from General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin from now on."
Governments around the world condemned the coup. Many advised their citizens to exercise caution in the kingdom and some warned them against traveling to the Southeast Asian tourist hub.
In the first sign of anti-coup sentiment, Thaksin supporters faced off with rival groups that were celebrating the coup at two separate gatherings in Bangkok. Soldiers intervened, narrowly averting clashes.
Asked if there would be moves to confiscate Thaksin's vast assets, Sondhi said at a news conference that "those who have committed wrongdoings have to be prosecuted according to the law."
A British government spokesman said Thaksin was en route to Britain, where he has a residence in London.
Most residents and tourists in Bangkok were calm and unfazed yesterday.
"I'm not worried because I know this happened for a reason," said a 31-year-old Swiss national who only gave his name as Alex. "Many people want Thaksin to go. It is like a release for everyone."
A statement from coup leaders urged workers and farmers - Thaksin's key constituents - to remain calm, and said unauthorized gatherings of more than five people were punishable by six months in prison under martial law.
The Nation newspaper in Bangkok said several senior government officials and others close to Thaksin had been arrested, their fates unknown.
Central bank head Pridiyathorn Devakula said that the public has accepted the coup, so it was unlikely to have much impact on foreign confidence in the country.
Agencies
Copyright © 2001-2005 Shanghai Daily Company
No comments:
Post a Comment