Thai Army Ousts PM; Seizes Power
20 Sep, 2006
In an abrupt movement, the Thailand's Army took control of the country
yesterday giving shock to the entire nation. Thailand's Army
Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin seized power from Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by sending tanks and troops into the streets
of Bangkok. Announcing an interim authority loyal to the king, he
implemented this undisclosed decision, when the Prime Minister was away to
attend the UN General Assembly in New York. Martial law has been declared
across Thailand and the deputy and chief aide of the Prime Minister,
Chidchai Vanasathidya, has been detained by the army. The soldiers have
seized the government offices in the capital and have taken up positions
around the city. After holding the power, Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin justified
his move by saying that coup was necessary to unite the country. He added
that the military had no intention of holding the power.
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