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Army takes control of Thai capital
Tanks and troops took over Government House in Thailand’s first coup in 15 years.
A coup spokesman said the army and police were in control of the capital Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
Armoured vehicles and soldiers took up position on many street corners as martial law was imposed, but life in most of Bangkok continued much as usual with traffic moving through rain drenched streets and the airport operating normally.
The seizure would be temporary and power “returned to the people” soon, retired Lieutenant-General Prapart Sakuntanak said on all Thai television channels.
Foreign news channels, including CNN and the BBC, were cut off.
“Never in Thai history have the people been so divided,” Lt-Gen Prapart said.
“The majority of people had become suspicious of this administration, which is running the country through rampant corruption,” he said.
“Independent bodies have been interfered with so much they could not perform in line within the spirit of the constitution.”
Thailand has lived through more than a dozen coups in recent times — and many here said the upheaval would add to the growing concern over the insurgency, which has hit the tourism industry hard.
“This is very bad for Thailand, its economy and its tourism and everything,” said Yong Suphachai, the 29-year-old owner of a body-painting shop in Bangkok’s main tourist area.
“This is a big change but I don’t know what it is,” he said. “I don’t know what will happen to Thailand.”
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