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USA Official Position and the Coup in Thailand

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WASHINGTON D.C. – US Secretary John Kerry issued this press statement: I am disappointed by the decision of the Thai military to suspend the constitution and take control of the government after a long period of political turmoil, and there is no justification for this military coup. I am concerned by reports that senior political leaders of Thailand’s major parties have been detained and call for their release. I am also concerned that media outlets have been shut down.

I urge the restoration of civilian government immediately, a return to democracy, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as press freedoms. The path forward for Thailand must include early elections that reflect the will of the people.

While we value our long friendship with the Thai people, this act will have negative implications for the US–Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military. We are reviewing our military and other assistance and engagements, consistent with US law.

In more developments:

The US ambassador in Thailand said on Thursday night that the acting Thai prime minister is not at the US embassy in Bangkok.

Ambassador Kristie Kenney was commenting on reports that Mr. Niwuttamrong Boonsongpaisan was seeking refuge at the US embassy after Thai army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced that the military had taken over control from the government.

“Absolutely false. Do not believe rumors,” the US diplomat tweeted.

In another tweet, the US embassy warned of “fraudulent postings and rumors circulating online.”

The Nation news website had earlier reported that Mr. Niwuttumrong did not attend the meeting hosted by the army chief at the Royal Army Club intended to find a solution to the ongoing political crisis. All rival groups were invited to the second day of talks on Thursday.

The premier had been absent from the meeting since the first day, claiming he was the premier and will not attend the meeting hosted by the army chief.

Thursday’s meeting was inconclusive as well, reported The Nation.

At 5 pm local time on Thursday, General Prayuth announced on TV that the military had taken over control of the government. The constitution was suspended and members of the deposed government were told to report to the military by end of Thursday.

All protesters were told to go home and a curfew was set throughout Thailand from 10 pm to 5 am.

The Bangkok Post published a comment questioning the coup shortly after the announcement:

Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha justified his decision to stage yesterday’s coup as necessary to prevent further loss of life and stop the political conflict from escalating.

The rationale is short-sighted. Gen Prayuth may have good intentions at heart but seizing administrative power by force will only cause the situation to deteriorate further.

The army chief said a military takeover was necessary to return the situation to normal. He was speaking after the seven parties meeting to find a way out of the political crisis failed to find a solution after a second day of talks.

He said the coup will pave the way for people to come together and love one another once again, like in the past.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha leaves the Army Club, where the meeting was held on Thursday, before he announced a coup.

The army chief should know better. Gen Prayuth was part of the last coup-making effort led by Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin that seized power from former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006.

Over the past eight years, he must have witnessed how an anti-coup movement was born — the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) as we know it today.

Gen Prayuth must have seen how the coup-installed government led by Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont failed to restore unity or establish a sense of fairness.

He must have seen how the much coveted goal of national reconciliation has grown more and more elusive since the 2006 coup that was aimed at restoring peace and national harmony, the same goals as the coup he is shepherding now.

He must have known that we have arrived at the current conflict between the caretaker government and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in large part because of that 2006 coup.

There is no question the political conflicts have become entrenched, involving a complex web of conflicting values and political aspirations. They have also polarized virtually every citizen and interest group in the country.

As must be evident to Gen Prayuth, who assumed the role of refereeing the peace talks for two days, such deep-seated strife cannot be resolved quickly.

Adding another putsch to our lengthy history of coups will only deepen the entanglement, making it even harder to solve and inflaming anger among people on opposite poles.

In his first address, Gen Prayuth also said the coup was intended to allow reform of the country’s political, economic and social structure to ensure fairness for everyone.

This is easier said than done. It’s not that people are against reform. In fact they want it. But reform has also been identified as part of the agenda of the anti-government PDRC group. How could Gen Prayuth go about implementing it without being seen as biased?

In fact, if everyone had agreed to the reform agenda or procedure we would not be facing such deep political divisions and such deadlock.

The coup will prompt members of the international community to impose sanctions. The country’s economy will suffer, turning into further hardship for ordinary citizens.

There is no doubt Gen Prayuth saw a clear and present danger when he decided to use force to take state power. He even said seizing power would prevent bloodshed and preserve national security.

The sad thing is it’s the very act of a military takeover that is likely to stir up stiff resistance, provoke acts of violence and possibly cause more loss of life. This coup is not the solution.

Earlier developments on Thursday:

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday staged a coup to seize power after warring parties failed to reach a compromise to bring the country out of the months-long political crisis.

Two days after the declaration of martial law that resulted in two rounds of meetings between the rival groups, Prayuth lost patience and ordered the detention of more than 30 representatives attending the talks before seizing power.

“In order for the country to return to normal quickly, the National Peacekeeping Committee comprising the Armed Forces and the police needed to seize power as of May 22, at 4:30 pm,” he announced on television.

The Constitution, except Chapter 2 on the Monarchy, was temporarily suspended. The Cabinet was terminated and its 18 members were summoned – including acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, who was reportedly in hiding in a safe house, deputy premier Phongthep Thepkan-jana, Charupong Ruangsuwan, who is also the leader of Pheu Thai Party – to report to the committee. The committee, later yesterday, changed its name to the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council.

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney rejected a rumor that Niwattumrong had sought political asylum in the US embassy. “Absolutely false. Do not believe rumors,” she tweeted.

Many names, including Kittipong Kittayarak, adviser to the PM, were floated to take over as the new premier. Kittipong responded on his Facebook page that it was a rumor and nobody had contacted him on the matter.

The courts, the Senate and other constitutional independent organizations would continue to function as usual. Prayuth urged people to remain calm and continue their lives as usual. He said the bureaucracy would run the country in the absence of a government. It was reported earlier that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had sought amnesty in exchange for an end to his political role.

Relations with foreign countries would continue as usual, and diplomatic corps, representatives of international organizations and foreigners living in Thailand would be protected, Prayuth said.

All units of the Armed Forces were ordered to remain at their stations, he said. Curfew was imposed between 10 pm and 5 am.

Gatherings of more than five people for political purposes are prohibited. Educational institutions have been told to remain closed from today until Sunday.

The pro-government red-shirt protesters at Aksa Road were dispersed shortly after the seizure of power. The anti-government protesters also ended their rally.

Prayuth enforced martial law on Tuesday, saying he wanted to prevent violence and enable negotiations between the political rivals. The first round of talks on Wednesday failed to reach any solution, and the commander then told all of them to give him answers yesterday.

Representatives of the warring groups from the government, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the opposition Democrat Party, the pro-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), Senate and Election Commission (EC) attended the meeting.

They were given a break after two hours of the meeting. Prayuth invited UDD leader Jatuporn Promphan and PDRC’s Suthep Thaugsuban for a chat.

When the meeting resumed, Prayuth asked caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri, who led the government representatives at the meeting, whether the government would resign. Chaikasem told Prayuth that “as of this minute, the government will not resign”, according to a source.

“Then, as of this minute, I have decided to seize power,” the source quoted Prayuth as replying.

All representatives of the warring groups, except those from the Senate and the EC, were later taken into custody at the First Infantry Division, Vibhawadi Road.

Acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai said as the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council took over, that the Senate would stop its road map to end the political crisis.

“If we could turn back the clock, the politicians should have provided more cooperation to help save the country,” he said.

Regional News

Thai Immigration Police Detain Over 26,000 Illegal Migrant Workers

Illegal Migrant Workers

Thailand’s Immigration Police have detained approximately 26,000 illegal migrant workers from Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia during an eight-day operation in Bangkok and surrounding regions, according to a Royal Thai Police spokesperson.

Mr Adisorn Keudmeuangkhon of the Bangkok-based Migrant Working Group said the drive was in response to an increasing number of concerns about an influx of illegal migrant labor.

“Some Thai people see that many illegal workers are competing for their job positions in the past few months,” he told me. “That’s why the ministry has to take tougher action.”

Civil strife in Myanmar and the recent implementation of a military conscription have driven thousands of Burmese into Thailand, while severe inflation and limited job opportunities in Laos have also encouraged an influx of workers from that country.

Between June 5 and 12, officials detained and checked 20,111 Myanmar laborers, 1,659 Laotian migrant workers, and 3,971 Cambodian workers, according to the Ministry of Labor.

It marked the start of a 120-day campaign to audit workplaces and arrest unlawful migrant workers, according to the government.

migrant workers

Migrant Workers to be Deported

According to Keudmeuangkhon, undocumented workers face fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 Thai baht (US $136 to $1,365), deportation, and a two-year prohibition on re-entering Thailand.

Authorities did not intend to file criminal charges, he claimed.

Authorities raided 1,774 workplaces, according to Moe Gyo, chairman of the Joint Action Committee on Burmese Affairs, which advocates for Myanmar labor rights.

He stated that since the military junta activated conscription, there has been an upsurge in the number of arrests of Myanmar citizens in Thailand who do not have a work permit identity card.

All men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 must serve in the military for at least two years. The first group of 5,000 conscripts summoned by Myanmar’s junta will start duty at the end of this month, military sources told AFP on Monday.

According to Keudmeuangkhon, the bulk of Lao migrant workers in Thailand work as fresh market shopkeepers, restaurant servers, and mall salespeople.

Most people visit Thailand as part of ASEAN’s visa-free policy for tourists, but they stay longer than the 30-day restriction once they find job.

“Employers like to hire Lao migrant workers in the service sector because they can speak fluent Thai,” he told me.

Illegal Migrant Workers

Immigration Police Detain Illegal Migrant Workers

The Thai Cabinet may approve an enhanced program for Thai employers to register their unauthorized foreign workers in July or August. Keudmeuangkhon explained.

Last month, the Thai Ministry of Labor’s Foreign Workers Administration office announced that 268,465 Lao migrant workers were officially working in Thailand.

Baykham Kattiya, Lao Minister of Labor, told Radio Free Asia earlier this month that there are 415,956 migrant workers in other nations, the majority of whom work in Thailand.

According to her, the Lao government believes that over 203,000 persons working outside of the nation lack proper work documents.

However, a Lao official familiar with the labor industry informed Radio Free Asia, a BenarNews-affiliated news station, on June 20 that the number of illegal Lao migrant workers in Thailand and abroad is likely significantly greater.

“They go to other countries as illegal migrant workers through different types of methods – as tourists or students,” said the politician. “Thus, it is hard for the immigration police to collect data on these people.”

Government Officials Responsible for Smuggling in Migrant Workers

Government Officials Responsible for Smuggling in Migrant Workers

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News

High School Student Dies After Being Electrocuted By School Water Dispenser

Water Dispenser at High School
14-year-old boy was electrocuted by a water dispenser: File Image

Thailand’s Office of Basic Education Commission has initiated an investigation into the electrocution of a 14-year-old student by a water dispenser in a high school. The event happened at noon on Friday, during the high school’s sports day. The victim was a Grade 8 student.

According to local media in Trang Province, the incident occurred when a teacher instructed the pupil to turn off a water dispenser amid a heavy rain.

According to a witness, the child collapsed while strolling with his friend near a water station. The friend claimed he attempted to assist but was also shocked by electricity.

According to reports, the friend then recovered, left the site, and requested assistance from teachers. A teacher ran to the scene and used a towel to pull the boy away by the ankle. He was taken to the hospital, but it was too late, they claimed.

The event sparked criticism from parents and netizens over school safety, as well as the slow response to aid the young youngster.

Mr. Chainarong Changrua, head of Trang-Krabi’s Secondary Educational Service Area Office, told local media on Sunday that forensic officers from Trang Provincial Police had visited the area. They discovered the blown breaker switch behind the water dispenser, he explained.

The breaker was burned out, thus the authorities assumed the disaster was caused by a short circuit that allowed energy to spill to a neighboring power pole. The student also appeared wet and was not wearing shoes when electrocuted.

According to the Office of Basic Education Commission, a probe team will complete its investigation this week.

The student’s father, Mr Pornchai Thepsuwan, 53, claimed he was saddened when he saw his son’s body. The boy (Wayu), was the youngest of two boys, he explained. He stated that following the tragedy, the school director and staff gave financial assistance to the families.

Mr Pornchai also said he would not seek charges against the institution because he believed it was an accident.

Electrical accidents in Thailand

Electrocution instances in Thailand have increased alarmingly in recent years. Many mishaps occur as a result of improper wiring and inadequate maintenance of electrical systems.

Public locations, such as schools and markets, frequently lack adequate safety precautions, putting individuals in danger. In rural areas, antiquated infrastructure exacerbates the situation, resulting in more frequent and serious events.

Although several high-profile cases have brought these challenges to light, genuine progress has been gradual. Furthermore, the rainy season heightens the likelihood of electrical accidents, as water and exposed wires do not mix well.

The government has made steps to strengthen safety standards, but enforcement is patchy. More education on electrical safety could help to reduce these accidents.

Unfortunately, better infrastructure and tougher rules may have prevented many of these incidents. The loss and injuries caused by electrocution are avoidable, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

Over 200 High School Students Facing Sedition Charges in Thailand

Over 200 High School Students Facing Sedition Charges in Thailand

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Thailand’s Tourist Police Crackdown on Tourist Scammers in Pattaya

Tourist Police Pattaya
Tourist Police Pattaya: File Image

Thailand’s Tourist Police said it is collaborating with embassies from five countries to combat tourist scams and ten criminal gangs in Pattaya. The Tourist Police Bureau, convened a meeting on Thursday Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am told a press briefing.

Pol Lt Gen Saksira Phuek-am, the Tourist Police bureau commissioner said the participants included ambassadors from South Korea, Ukraine, Russia, India, and Switzerland.

He told the briefing the he had ordered a crackdown on tourist frauds, such as fraudulent or low-quality tour operators and unfair sales of goods and services. Stepped-up operations began on June 19 and will continue until June 25.

He stated that the agency was working with numerous organisations to increase tourists’ confidence in visiting Pattaya.

Gen Saksira spent time on the famed Walking Street speaking with officers on duty and assigned them to seek for members of ten criminal groups known to operate in Pattaya.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will visit Chon Buri on Saturday to assess the tourism situation. He intends to visit the site of a future Formula One racecourse near Khao Phra Tamnak in Bang Lamung District.

Prime Minister Srettha recently met with Formula One organisers in Italy to examine the potential of including Thailand on the race schedule in the future.

On Sunday, the Prime Minister will pay a visit to Rayong’s U-tapao airport to discuss development on the airport’s land, with the goal of encouraging investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor.

Police Chief Reinstated

In other police news, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol has been reinstated as national police chief following the conclusion of an investigation into a highly publicised quarrel, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s counsellor.

Mr Wissanu released the investigation’s findings on Thursday, after the prime minister formed a fact-finding committee chaired by Chatchai Promlert to investigate into the quarrel between Pol Gen Torsak and his deputy, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn.

The four-month study revealed conflicts and disorder at all levels of the Royal Thai Police, but it was unclear whether these issues arose from a single cause or several causes, according to Mr Wissanu.

The findings revealed that both Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Gen Surachate were involved, with each team contributing to the tensions, he noted.

Mr Wissanu indicated that Pol Gen Surachate was reinstated as deputy national police head on 18 April following his relocation to the Prime Minister’s Office on 20 March. A disciplinary committee was formed to investigate Pol Gen Surachate, and he was ordered temporarily suspended from the police force.

Because there were no further difficulties to explore, it was decided to restore Pol Gen Torsak. He plans to retire on September 30.

On March 20, Mr Srettha abruptly transferred both top police officers to the Prime Minister’s Office in an effort to address the growing schism within the police service.

Kitrat Panphet, Deputy National Police Chief, was subsequently named Acting Police Chief. According to sources, Pol Gen Surachate could face money laundering charges related to online gaming networks.

Source: Bangkok Post

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