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19 September 2006 Coup

Thailand had a relatively stable democracy, and experienced years of strong economic development prior to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. After a coup d'etat by the military in 1991, civilian rule was restored in 1992 following middle-class pro-democracy protests and royal intervention. Since then, Thailand continued its political maturation; enactment of a new constitution in 1997 brought substantial reforms to the Thai political process, expanding the rights and civil liberties of individual Thai citizens.

The government, elected in January 2001 and re-elected in January 2005 was led by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a successful former businessman, who initially enjoyed popular support in his fifth year of governing, and was widely-expected to complete a second term. Strong economic growth due to low interest rates, subdued inflation, an accommodative monetary policy and fiscal stimulus had contributed to Prime Minister Thaksin's overall popularity. Further enhancing Thailand's international credit standing and financial position, the Thai government announced on August 1, 2003 that Thailand had paid off its IMF debts resulting from the Asian Financial Crisis two years ahead of schedule.

Under Prime Minister Thaksin, Thailand moved aggressively to deepen Thai business ties with Burma, provide substantial economic assistance to the junta, collaborate with the Burmese military against Burmese ethnic groups who oppose rule by the generals, arrest and repatriate exiled Burmese democrats across the Thai-Burma border, and pursue a policy of cooperation and conciliation with a regime that is opposed by the vast majority of its people and known to much of the world as an outlaw.

Anti-government protest organizers held weekly protests since January, accusing Mr. Thaksin of corruption and abuse of office. The prime minister's critics were angered by his family's tax-free sale of nearly $2 billion worth of shares in a company Mr. Thaksin founded.

Despite his personal difficulties, Thaksin presided over a relatively successful administration and became the country's first democratically-elected prime minister to win a second consecutive term in a landslide victory in elections held in February 2005. The Democrats appeared unlikely to overturn Thaksin's huge majority, especially since their most popular and experienced politician, Chuan Leekpai, retired in 2003.

On 04 April 2006 Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced he would step down in an effort to end the nation's political crisis. Thaksin made the announcement on national television late Tuesday, following a meeting with King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thaksin was under pressure from the urban middle class, which had become disenchanted with a leader they considered corrupt. Thailand's nascent democratic institutions proved unable to adjudicate this dispute, and by late 2006 it had drawn in senior members of the military and figures close to the king.

On 07 Septebmer 2006 Thai police said they had arrested five army officers over an alleged plot to kill Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Two weeks earlier, police intercepted a car, driven by one of the officers and carrying a large bomb, near his home. But opponents accused Mr Thaksin of fabricating the plot to boost his chances in October's general election.

On 19 September 2006 Thailand's army issued a statement saying it had seized control of the government and declared martial law. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was in New York attending the United Nations General Assembly, responded to the coup by declaring a state of emergency. Reports of the coup prompted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to issue a statement from New York saying he was placing Bangkok under a state of emergency. Coup leaders later said they had suspended the constitution and most branches of the government.

The Council for Democratic Reform, led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the Army Commander-in-Chief, seized control of the country’s administrative power from the Thaksin Shinawatra administration on 19 September 2006 without any violence or resistance.

The Council explained that it was compelled to seize the country’s administration, as under the government of Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin, severe divisions and disunity had emerged among the Thai people. Different sides were driven to win by resorting to all means at their disposal and the situation was deteriorating. In addition, there were reliable reports that on September 20, the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) had called for a massive demonstration by mobilizing large numbers of people from throughout the country to join with the PAD in Bangkok to force Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin out of office. At the same time, the Government was preparing to bring in their own supporters from provincial areas to oppose the PAD. It was believed that this confrontation would lead to violence with bloodshed and loss of lives and that the unrest might spread throughout the country.

The Armed Forces assessed the situation and considered that, if such matters were left unchecked, the country would suffer grievous harm, which would be difficult to heal, and that the means and legal authority at its disposal would not be sufficient to keep the situation under control. It was therefore compelled to take control of the situation immediately to preempt the confrontation. After this had been accomplished, the leaders of the Armed Forces then sought an audience with His Majesty the King to report on the situation and the actions that had been taken. Subsequently, His Majesty the King appointed General Sonthi leader of the Council for Democratic Reform, with the mandate and authority to maintain peace and order and to provide the basis for the issuance of orders as necessary.