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HM King Endorses Coup Leader Without Attending Ceremony

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Khaosod English
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BANGKOK — Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha was royally endorsed as the leader of the country, although His Majesty the King, who is 86 and unwell, did not attend the ceremony in person.

An official royal gazette was released confirming Gen. Prayuth's endorsement after a ceremony this morning at the Army Club in Bangkok's Theves district.

Reporters were not allowed to view the ceremony.

According to the royal gazette, Gen. Prayuth informed His Majesty the King about the "consistent violence in Bangkok and other areas" that led him to seize power on 22 May and appoint himself as the head of the National Council of Peace and Order (NPCO). 

"Therefore, to ensure peace and order to the country and harmony of the people," the gazette reads, "His Majesty the King hereby appoints Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha as the leader of the National Council of Peace and Order with the authority to administer the country from here on out."

The royal endorsement was released four days after the military coup, although it is dated 24 May, which is two days after the coup. 

The palace’s delay in formally approving the NCPO’s coup had puzzled many observers. In past successful coups, royal approval has been issued almost immediately and all coup attempts that did not receive royal endorsements have failed. 

In a press conference held after the ceremony, Gen. Prayuth reiterated that the NCPO’s chief task is to maintain peace and order.

An election will be held "when peace is restored," Gen. Prayuth said, without a timeframe. He was similarly vague concerning the appointment of a new Prime Minister,  only saying that the matter is "underway."

Gen. Prayuth insisted that the junta has no desire for power, and that the military's actions are needed to resolve the prolonged political crisis in Thailand that has reached a “deadend.”He asked the media not to criticise the NCPO's mission or to "escalate the conflict" in any way.  

"I am not here to pick a fight with anyone," Gen. Prayuth told reporters, "Please assist me. Don't criticise me."

Since seizing power last week, the NCPO has suspended most of the 2007 Constitution, dissolved both houses of Parliament, and assumed martial court jurisdiction over a broad range of criminal offenses.

The military has also summoned over 200 politicians, activists, journalists, and academics to report to the Army Club, and has detained many of them in undisclosed locations. 

This is the 12th successful military coup in modern Thai history. The last coup ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. 

 

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HM King Endorses Coup Leader Without Attending Ceremony

By
Khaosod English
-
Soldiers disperse reporters outside the army club following the 22 May coup d'etat.

BANGKOK — Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha was royally endorsed as the leader of the country, although His Majesty the King, who is 86 and unwell, did not attend the ceremony in person.

An official royal gazette was released confirming Gen. Prayuth's endorsement after a ceremony this morning at the Army Club in Bangkok's Theves district.

Reporters were not allowed to view the ceremony.

According to the royal gazette, Gen. Prayuth informed His Majesty the King about the "consistent violence in Bangkok and other areas" that led him to seize power on 22 May and appoint himself as the head of the National Council of Peace and Order (NPCO). 

"Therefore, to ensure peace and order to the country and harmony of the people," the gazette reads, "His Majesty the King hereby appoints Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha as the leader of the National Council of Peace and Order with the authority to administer the country from here on out."

The royal endorsement was released four days after the military coup, although it is dated 24 May, which is two days after the coup. 

The palace’s delay in formally approving the NCPO’s coup had puzzled many observers. In past successful coups, royal approval has been issued almost immediately and all coup attempts that did not receive royal endorsements have failed. 

In a press conference held after the ceremony, Gen. Prayuth reiterated that the NCPO’s chief task is to maintain peace and order.

An election will be held "when peace is restored," Gen. Prayuth said, without a timeframe. He was similarly vague concerning the appointment of a new Prime Minister,  only saying that the matter is "underway."

Gen. Prayuth insisted that the junta has no desire for power, and that the military's actions are needed to resolve the prolonged political crisis in Thailand that has reached a “deadend.”He asked the media not to criticise the NCPO's mission or to "escalate the conflict" in any way.  

"I am not here to pick a fight with anyone," Gen. Prayuth told reporters, "Please assist me. Don't criticise me."

Since seizing power last week, the NCPO has suspended most of the 2007 Constitution, dissolved both houses of Parliament, and assumed martial court jurisdiction over a broad range of criminal offenses.

The military has also summoned over 200 politicians, activists, journalists, and academics to report to the Army Club, and has detained many of them in undisclosed locations. 

This is the 12th successful military coup in modern Thai history. The last coup ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. 

 

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact:[email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
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Full Text of Gen. Prayuth's Royal Endorsement [Unofficial Translation]

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Khaosod English
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Royal gazette endorsing Gen. Prayuth as leader of the NCPO, 26 May 2014

Announcement Appointing the Head of the National Council of Peace and Order

King Bhumibol Adulyadej P.R. 

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has informed His Majesty the King that there has been consistent violence in Bangkok and other areas, which threatens to escalate into serious incident or unrest, affecting the national security and lives and property of the general the public. In order to restore the aforementioned situation back to normalcy as soon as possible, and to create love and unity among the people in the nation, and to reform political and other structures, which will give fairness to all sides, the armed forces and the police, headed by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, have seized power of the national administration on 22 May, 2014, 4:30pm onward.

Therefore, to ensure peace and order to the country and harmony of the people, His Majesty the King hereby appoints Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha as the leader of the National Council of Peace and Order with the authority to administer the country from here on out.

 

Announced on 24 May 2557 B.E. on the 69th year of the current reign.

Countersigned by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army

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Thai Protest Leaders Face Charges of Insurrection (DPA)

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Khaosod English
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BANGKOK (DPA) — Thai soldiers Monday released five leaders of the protest movement that rocked Bangkok for seven months before being terminated by last week's coup d'etat, reports said.

Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committtee, was escorted with four other protest leaders from an army base to the Office of the Attorney General early Monday, the Bankok Post reported.

All five face charges of insurrection for leading protests since November aimed at toppling the former government led by the Pheu Thai Party.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha seized power with a coup on Thursday, after talks involving political parties and rival street movements failed to resolve their differences and end the political impasse.

About 200 politicians activists, academics and journalists have been summoned by the coup makers since Thursday, of whom at least 150 have been detained.

Junta officials said most will probably be freed within a week.

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Junta Leader To Hold Power 'Indefinitely'

By
Khaosod English
-
Gen. Prayuth at press conference, 26 May 2014.

BANGKOK — According to Thai army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the military has not established a time frame for when it will return power to a civilian administration.

Gen. Prayuth, who installed himself as the head of the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) after seizing power from the former government on 22 May, also refused to answer questions about whether he will assume the position of Prime Minister.

"Do you want to be Prime Minister? Do you?" Gen. Prayuth shot back at the reporter who asked the question.

Gen. Prayuth was speaking at press conference this morning after attending a ceremony that granted him official royal endorsement from His Majesty the King.

Speaking to the press, Gen. Prayuth stressed that the military now has "full authority" over all governmental functions, but said that many sectors of society are still participating in the governance.

After dissolving the Cabinet and both houses of Parliament, the NCPO now holds all legislative and executive powers.

Gen. Prayuth told reporters that the NCPO plans to establish an agency that will oversee nationwide "reforms," followed by the appointment of a new legislative assembly.

The army chief said that the military will swiftly solve many problems, including the overdue payments to farmers who participated in the government’s rice-pledging scheme. However, he also asked the public not to make too many demands.

"Right now, they should be concerned about what they can do to make the country safe," Gen. Prayuth said.

In response to the anti-coup demonstrations that have been cropping up around Bangkok in defiance of the NCPO's ban on public gatherings, Gen. Prayuth said that that soldiers have been ordered to enforce the laws harshly. He added that all illegal actions will now be dealt with in martial court.

Gen. Prayuth also repeated orders that journalists and social media users refrain from publishing anything that could “escalate the dispute." He warned that if necessary, the military may summon people for posting provacative comments on social media. 

The military has already summoned over 200 people to the Army Club, including journalists and political activists who have been critical of the NCPO's actions. Many of those summoned have been detained in undiscolsed locations. 

Gen Prayuth also asked the Thai Journalists Association, who signed a letter asking the NCPO to lift its restrictions on media, to stop making demands from this day onward.

When a reporter asked about when elections and subsequent return to civilian administration might take place, Prayuth answered,  “It depends on the situation,” and walked off stage. The army commander has a history of taking a brusque attitude with the press.

 

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Poroshenko Set For Outright Win in Ukraine President Vote, Polls Say

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Khaosod English
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KIEV (DPA) — Billionaire businessman Petro Poroshenko has won Ukraine's presidential election and avoided a run-off, according to exit polls published on local television after Sunday's voting ended.

The polls show Poroshenko with between 55.7 and 57.3 per cent. Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko came a distant second with polls putting her at 12.4 and 12.9 per cent. She conceded defeat late Sunday.

The figures mean that Poroshenko has most likely won in the first round. A run-off is necessary only if none of the 21 candidates wins more than 50 per cent of the vote.

In a first reaction, Poroshenko said that he will make his first trip as president to crisis-hit eastern Ukraine, where bloody battles between pro-Russian separatists and government troops continued on Sunday.

But he also said that the fight against "terrorists" must be stepped up. "Today the implementation of Ukraine's European ambitions is immensely important and all branches of power need to take into account the strong will of Ukraine," he told jubilant supporters.

In his campaign, Poroshenko has advocated a Western-oriented foreign policy, while also promising to mend relations with Russia.

Observers predicted a high turnout for Sunday's snap election, with voters forming long lines at polling stations throughout the country, except in the troubled east, where pro-Russian separatists vowed to prevent the voting.

In the Donetsk region, 528 of 2,430 polling stations were open, the local government said. In neighbouring Luhansk region, only two of 12 polling districts were staging elections.

Many election workers did not show up after gunmen raided their offices, abducted and threatened staff members and seized documents.

International observers condemned the violence.

"Election officials are completely helpless in the face of armed thugs who are abducting and harassing them," Human Rights Watch said in a report released Sunday.

The precarious security situation also prompted the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) not to send election observers to the area.

About 5 million of the country's 35 million voters live in the two conflict regions. Another 1.7 million voters from Crimea didn't take part in the vote since the Black Sea peninsula was annexed by Russia earlier this year.

Western and Ukrainian leaders have expressed hope that the polls can help to stabilize the country and prevent all-out civil war.

However, fighting between rebels and government troops continued on Sunday. At least one person was killed and another injured in clashes north of Luhansk, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported.

There were also reports of casualties in the rebel stronghold of Sloviansk.

The Italian government confirmed on Sunday that an Italian reporter and his interpreter were killed in the region. Photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli and his Russian interpreter Andrei Mironov died when they were hit by mortar fire near Sloviansk on Saturday. It was the first journalist death in the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

 

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Photos: Anti-Coup Protest at Victory Monument

By
Khaosod English
-

BANGKOK — Several thousand Thais rallied around Bangkok’s Victory Monument yesterday in the growing protest movement against the military coup d’etat staged last Thursday.

There was a noticeably light presence of military and police personnel, who were greatly outnumbered by demonstrators. The rally was one of several staged throughout the country on Sunday and was largely peaceful, save for a brief confrontation between soldiers and protesters underneath the Victory Monument BTS station that ended with both sides retreating.

Here are Khaosod English reporter Sally Mairs's photos from the scene:

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HM King To Formally Appoint Prayuth As Junta Head

By
Khaosod English
-
Gen. Prayuth at army parade in January 2013.

BANGKOK — His Majesty the King will formally appoint army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha as head of the military junta, a top military officer said.

According to Lt.Gen. Panuwat Nakawong, Thailand’s 86-year-old king will attend a ceremony tomorrow to officially designate Gen. Prayuth as head of the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO). His Majesty the King is currently recovering from an illness at his summer palace in Prachuap Kiri Khan province.

Gen. Prayuth seized power from the civilian government and established himself as the chairman of the NCPO on 22 May.

The palace’s delay in formally approving the NCPO’s coup has puzzled many observers. In past coups, royal approval has been issued almost immediately.

Yesterday, the NCPO said a letter was sent to notify the palace of the military takeover, and that His Majesty the King “acknowledged" it.

After Gen. Prayuth is formally appointed head of the NCPO, a temporary charter will be drafted and a new Prime Minister will be appointed, said Lt.Gen. Panuwat,

A National Assembly and "Reform Council" will also be established to govern the country, Lt.Gen. Panuwat added.

It is not clear what the time frame for any of these developments will be.

Since seizing power on Thursday, the NCPO has voided the 2007 Constitution and dissolved the country’s Cabinet, Senate, and Parliament.  As a result, all legislative and administrative powers currently rest with the NCPO, which is governing Thailand under martial law. 

 

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All Crimes Involving Lese Majeste, Sedition Subjected to Military Court

By
Khaosod English
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Anti-coup protest in Bangkok, 25 May 2014

(Prachatai English)

The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) issued the 37th announcement granting authority to Army Court to prosecute all crimes involved Article 112 of the Criminal Code, known as lese majeste law, as well as crimes regarding the national security and sedition as stipulated in the Article 113-118 of the Criminal Code.  

Read the rest of the story here

 

Note: Khaosod English is not responsible for content on other websites.

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Outspoken Journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk Turned Himself in to Coup Makers

By
Khaosod English
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(Prachatai English)

Pravit Rojanaphruk, a staunch critic of lese majeste law and senior reporter at The Nation, arrived at the Thai Army Club on Sunday monring after the coup makers ordered him to report to the military on Saturday night. 

Read more of the story here.

 

Note: Khaosod English is not responsible for content on other websites.

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