The Thai military, negating all ifs and buts about its intents by declaring martial law earlier this week, on Thursday officially announced that it was taking control of the government, which is classically known as a coup d’etat. This is the 19th time it has done so since 1932. And it said that the military needed to restore order and push through reforms after six months of turmoil. The military said that it was acting to protect the peace and resolve the long political impasse that brought peaceful protests and counter protests to Bangkok.
The military declared at 10:00pm until 5:00am curfew, suspended the Constitution and told outgoing cabinet ministers to report to an army base in the north of the capital by the end of the day. The junta has set strict controls on the media – shut down TV and radio stations, and issued orders forbidding the media to issue reports “that might distort the facts, cause confusion among the public, or lead to further violence.” In addition, social media sites and users were prohibited from publishing content that “misleads the public” or “escalates the conflict” or “opposes the operation of the P.O.M.C.”
The newly created Peace and Order Maintaining Command composed of the Commander in Chief of the Army and the commanders of the Royal Thai Navy, air force and police arrested the leaders of different political factions even as they were engaged in negotiations. Martial law enables the military authorities to rule by fiat, in effect suspending the human rights guaranteed under the Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a party. The law also provides the military with immunity from any claims for compensation arising from its actions.
We believe a coup is a coup and it is nothing to rejoice about. However, it is also true that it sometimes may not be the case as in Thailand at this time as the politicians’ failed to provide a civilized peaceful transition which is democratic as well. Thus the politicians are to blame squarely. In modern days army rule has international consequences. Besides, the people of the armed forces are assured most comfortable life. It is normal for them not to invite political turmoil.
The new military rules must not be politically ambitious and not become political leaders. They must maintain their dignity as armed forces, but do the national duty of initiating political reconciliation, which the politicians failed to reach. The government of Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra was legitimate by all counts. It was also not brutal. The demand of the opposition for electoral reform was also justified, but their demand to have it by an unelected government of their design was also undemocratic. So the deadlock was imposed in the democratic process.
We are hopeful that the beautiful Thailand will solve the problem beautifully. Modern army is not a brutal force.
