Thailand coup update, 27 June 2014

Thailand's Army commander Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha,
(AP Photo/ASTV Manager newspaper)

And the beat goes on - as Thia's live under martial law in the after math of the recent coup. Lead by the Thai Chief General Prayuth Chau-Ocha. This bloodless coup removed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from her leadership position of the Kingdom and instaled the military.

First line of business for the general was a new title  "Chief of the national council for Peace and order" (NCPO). 

The general justifed the coup d'etat as a means to bring stability to Thai politics by halting the bickering between pro and anti government factions. While laying the groundwork for a more effective and efficient Thai government of the future. 

For example, Thailand's economy shrink by 2.1% in the first half the year compared to the first quater last year. General Prayuth falted the present goverment and it's bickering detractors as the cause of the econamic decline. To get Thailand economy growing again he appointed Air Chief Marchal Ptachin Chau Tang to lay a plan that will allow for a 6.1 % economic expansion in 2015.

The kingdom's present constitution was created after the coup of 2006, resulting in the removal of PM Yingluck's brother Thakson. The coup effecivly made this constiturion nul and void which resuted in the removal of the present democratly elected government. Excisting government agencies and enterprises where allowed to continue operation but are required to justify their existence (or resign) to a council of  junta officials.  

To control political dissent the general used martial law to halt assembly of 5 of more people, including political fundraising or any meetings of a political nature. A curfew was put into effect but has since been lifted in the hopes of encouraging tourism and to raise the moral of normally, very social Thai people.

When commenting on the ban of assembly the General suggested that "all Thia's stay at home and talk quietly to themselves".

Phase one  under the military junta is the creation of a provisional charter until the new Constitution is completed. The provisional charter was released last Friday, June 27, 2014. This charter and ultimately the new constitution will create reforms affecting economic and environmental issues, energy policy's, civic issues, along with, according to the general improvement of Thailand's political and judicial system. 

The transitional 200 person Parliament will be comprised of half civilian office holders, no mention of where they will come from or how they will be picked, the other half, bet you guessed it, high ranking military officers.. 

General Prayuth has made a commitment that the new constitution will be in effect by August 15, 2015.  The ensuing election would require 3 months of organization by the junta, all will be done under the guidance of the military, what can go wrong with that. 

The general was quoted from his weekly TV address saying " You (Thai people) will get a democratically elected government by 2015. Please take it easy, we need time for reform". He went on to say "it will be a fair and just election to guarantee Thailand will be better governed in the future". 

Doug has a stomach problem

Haven't posted much lately as I've been distracted with an ongoing stomach malady,which acts up when I'm sitting or laying down and is especially bad starting about 10:30 PM.  Of course I don't do much writing lying down so logic would dictate I could work around it but because I'm sleeping very little at night, evening  is prime time for writing.  Then I have to deal with the sitting and the feelings of anxiety and that is "the rest of the story".   

No, not acid reflux, but a pressure and ensuing  pain that radiates through my abdomen, then up and up, sometimes even bringing tears to my eyes.  Visited doctors in Sai Gon, Bangkok and here in the states with little success in finding relief.  Some try and treat me for acid reflux, others look reflective and come up with homeopathy cures like "peppermint oil".  Meanwhile, I revert to my work around of Gaviscon, ruhm and coke (not all together) and walking around until a burp or fart loosen up my system.

Now I'm going to share something with you, 45 years ago at Phu Cat, Vietnam - every night (okay, not every night but it seems that way now) charlie would start a fire fight with our gun tower by the main gate next to my hut.  The rat tat tat of our 50 cal with the back up of small arms, along with the wooch of mortars were my night time lalaby's.  No serious damage seemed to come of these exchanges so it just became a part of my night life, so I thought I had it handled but maybe not.  

You read and hear all this bad press about the VA but my doctor and her nurse are interested not only in my adventures but in helping me figure out this problem.  Next Tuesday (6/24/2014) they have me scheduled for a CAT scan of my stomach. Of course when you're pushing 70 as I am your nervous about tests like this, you want to fix the problem but all the options that can effect this is worrisome.  

Meanwhile I've got part 2 of photos of Saigon and I'm working on something on Thai politics and an update to the effect of martial law in the kingdom.

Street side sandal repair - 

skateboarding video featuring my son Ian Rice - No Me Gusta

Falls under the beyond category, as my son Ian shows off his mastery of the skateboard.  Professional quality video, except for the first few minutes of dialog between a camera crew member and a retired policeman.   From then on it's non stop action.    Enjoy!

Coup d'etat in Thailand and you

Thai military personnel stand guard at the Government House in Bangkok. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

"Amazing Thailand" the phrase coined by the  "Tourist Authority of Thailand" (TAT) has come to have a much deeper meaning than a slogan touting the beauty and culture of the country. As Thailand now is struggling under the yoke of military rule after experiencing it's twelve military coup d'etat since 1932, plus the seven attempted ones that were not successful. So while many emerging nations have outgrown coup d'etat, in Thailand it remains a deeply embedded part of Thai politics.

In recent times the bloodless coup d'etat in 2006 removing the extremely popular PM Thaksin Shinawatra while he was out of the country has had Thai leadership struggling to find it's way. Thaksin was swept into the office of PM in 2001 with the overwhelming support of  rural farmers. His popularity in rural areas in Thailand was in part due to his proposed micro loan program targeting rice farmers and offering affordable healthcare for those in need.  He also drew support from many in big business because as he was one of them, they liked his no nonsense CEO style of governance. While the moneyed Bangkok elite and the military were not impressed and wanted a PM that was more sympathetic to their needs. It seems to me that the Bangkok moneyed elite decided that one way or another Thaksin had to go.  Political wrangling was tried, his Thai Rack Thai (TRT) party was disbanded and outlawed, then it was charges of corruption in his telecommunications deal but he still didn't go away and so the military stepped in and removed him based  on accusations of corruption and misuse of power.  So Since the coup in 2006 Mr. Shinawatra has been in a self imposed exile while still maintaining much of his influence in Thai politics.

In the 2011 election Thaksin Shinawatra's sister Yingluck Shinawatra, a 46 year old businessperson with no direct political experience but with two degrees in politics, lead her newly founded Pheu Thai party to victory and became the new Prime Minister. Yingluck became the first Thai women to gain the office of Prime Minister. Taking over the reins of Thailand and for a while bringing stability back to the country.  In 2013 she and her party were successful in getting re elected. Though once again, like what happened to her brother, the accusations started - she was a just a puppet of her brother, then more serious charges about her abuse of power which ultimately resorted in her being forced her office the 20th of last month. Leading up to the May the 22nd coup by the military who took over leadership of the country, voiding the constitution and instituting military law.

The junta ruling Thailand is headed up by Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha who was due to retire in September of this year but guess runing Thailand is a better gig so he will probably be around for a while.

Meanwhile, what your  probably most interesting in is the effect all this has on you if you if you are planning a visit to Thailand.

The country is on lock down - well sorta - a curfew was set at 10:00 pm - 5:00 am but this has been eased to 12:00 - 4:00. Then recently Ko Sumi, Pattaya and Phuket had the curfew lifted.  Next week it will be lifted in Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phang Nga, Hat Yai, Cha-am,Hua Hin and Trang according to the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand). No reports of anyone arriving in country after the curfew and having a problem getting to their hotel.

Falang (foreigners) are not the target so tourists will be treated kindly but for Thais this is a hard time..  

Thanks for for being here,    Doug