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Military, police seize Bangkok: TV
Military and police seized control of the Thai capital Bangkok late Tuesday in an apparent coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, local television reported. An announcement flashed on national television said the forces, loyal to the king, had taken control of Bangkok "to maintain law and order". ADDITIONAL: FORCES loyal to Thailand's sacked military commander Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin have seized the prime minister's office. Witnesses said troops had seized Government House with soldiers ordering police inside the Government House building to lay down their arms. At least 20 soldiers had entered the building, according to reporters inside. Armoured units of the Thai military blocked the area around Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra offices with tanks, witnesses said today. Rumours of a military coup swept the Thai capital after an army-owned television station suspended regular programming and played patriotic songs. On a government-owned TV station, Mr Thaksin - now on a visit to New York - declared a state of emergency. The Prime Minister with the approval of the Cabinet declares serious emergency law in Bangkok from now on Mr Thaksin said. He said he was ordering the transfer of the nation's army chief to work in the prime minister's office, effectively suspending him from his military duties.
Army-owned TV channel 5 interrupted regular broadcasts with patriotic music and showed pictures of the king. At least some radio and television stations monitored in Bangkok suspended programming. The cable television station of the Nation newspaper reported that tanks were parked at the Rachadamnoen Road and royal plaza close to the royal palace and government offices. Local radio station Ruam Duay Chuay Kan interrupted its programming just as a reporter was about to give information from Government House, where Mr Thaksin has his office. The White House said it was aware of breaking news reports about the political situation in Thailand and was seeking additional information. We've seen the reports, and we are seeking additional information, national security spokesman Frederick Jones said as US President George W. Bush prepared to address the United Nations General Assembly. The British foreign ministry said it was trying to find out more about what was happening in Thailand. We are aware of reports of tanks on the street of Bangkok, and the Thai prime minister calling a state of emergency, a Foreign Office spokesman said. We are trying to establish details of what has happened, he added, giving no further details. Posted by: Fred 2006-09-19 |
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