Vajiralongkorn (Rama X)
73-1263: Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Paetongtarn Shinawatra ( PTP ) Phumtham Wechayachai ( PTP ) Suriya Juangroongruangkit ( PTP ) Anutin Charnvirakul ( BTP ) Pirapan Salirathavibhaga ( UTN ) Pichai Chunhavajira ( PTP ) Prasert Jantararuangtong ( PTP ) Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Mongkol Surasajja [REDACTED] Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Pichet Chuamuangphan ( PTP ) Paradorn Prissanananthakul ( BTP ) Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut ( PP ) [REDACTED] Mongkol Surasajja Kriangkrai Srirak Bunsong Noisophon President: Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul President: Prasitsak Meelarp President: Nakarin Mektrairat Diplomatic missions of / in Thailand Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam) Foreign aid The Council for National Security ( Thai : คณะมนตรีความมั่นคงแห่งชาติ ; RTGS : Khana Montri Khwam Man Khong Haeng Chat ; abbreviated CNS ( Thai : คมช. ),
146-524: A coup d'état , and the establishment of a military junta . The primary aim of the protests was the removal of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra 's – the brother of Yingluck – influence on Thai politics and the creation of an unelected "people's council" to oversee reforms of the political system. Protesters viewed Thaksin as corrupt and damaging to Thailand's democracy, although he enjoyed strong support in many areas of Thailand, particularly
219-460: A channel to advise the government. Pasuk Pongpaichit , an anti-Thaksin economist who had also been appointed, denied that she could not serve as an advisor, using as her excuse an impending extended trip to Japan. When asked by the press why the junta had not informed the appointees of their appointments, the CDR spokesman Lt-Gen Palangoon Klaharn said: "It is not necessary. Some matters are urgent. It
292-624: A corruption conviction. The pro-government Red Shirt movement also opposed the amnesty due to its inclusion of murder charges related to the 2010 military crackdown on pro-Thaksin protests , in which 91 were killed. Opposition from across the political spectrum caused the bill to be rejected unanimously by the Senate of Thailand . Anti-government protests continued however, with demonstrators occupying government offices, blocking major road intersections and holding mass rallies in Bangkok to call for
365-460: A member. Navy Commander Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanond, who had been second in command of the junta, was also demoted to being merely a member. In a statement on 21 September, the Council stated its reasons for taking power, and gave a commitment to restore democratic government within one year. The statement described the coup as a “brief intervention in order to restore peace, unity, and justice in
438-454: A million people joined the rally. The UDD-led Red Shirts, who had reconciled with the government after the amnesty bill was dropped and had been rallying its supporters at Rajamangala Stadium prior to the court decision, also resumed their counter-protest, with about 40,000 supporters arriving on 24 November. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) ruled on 7 January 2014 that it cleared 73 politicians, including Yingluck, in relation to
511-520: A timetable for the restoration of civilian government and elections. “A provisional constitution will be in place within two weeks, and eventually a civilian government will be formed,” it said. “The mechanisms for democratic reform will soon be reinstated. A legislative body, responsible for legislation and the drafting of the new constitution, will be established. This process, which will lead to general elections, should be completed within one year. See Thailand 2006 interim civilian government Following
584-533: Is an honour to help the country. I believe that those who have been named will not reject the appointment because we haven't damaged their reputation." Advisors were appointed in 4 key areas: The junta assigned several agencies to investigate the deposed government. After less than a week, the Assets Examination Committee was dissolved and several of its members were incorporated into a new 12-member committee with greater powers to freeze
657-534: Is currently providing security for Thaksin in London. Surasit Sangkhapong, director of the Government Lottery Office and an aide of Thaksin resigned to allow Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka to conduct an investigation into an allegation of irregularity. Governors of provinces seen as Thai Rak Thai political strongholds transferred to smaller provinces or appointed to the inactive posts in
730-467: The 2011 elections , in which her Pheu Thai Party won an outright majority. Yingluck is a sister of former prime minister Thaksin, and the Pheu Thai Party was closely aligned with him. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup d'état , was living in self-imposed exile to avoid a 2008 corruption conviction and still commanded popular support across much of the country, especially among rural Thais and
803-548: The Bang Phli and Lat Lum Kaeo Districts of Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani Provinces respectively. (This was in addition to the central districts of Bangkok, where the ISA had been in effect since the previous month.) However, no direct confrontations between the protesters and security authorities occurred. The protesters continued on 27 November by rallying outside another ten ministry offices, cutting off electricity and forcing
SECTION 10
#1732780913853876-470: The Metropolitan Police headquarters, but were halted by police using barricades, tear gas, and water cannons. About 2,700 unarmed soldiers were called in to support the police. That afternoon, Yingluck cancelled planned media interviews and moved to an undisclosed location when the building she was in was surrounded by protesters. Protesters also entered several television stations, including
949-516: The Royal Thai Army declared martial law throughout the nation, followed two days later by a coup which removed the government and named General Prayut Chan-o-cha as acting prime minister. In February 2021, three ministers from Prayut's cabinet , Puttipong Punnakanta , Nataphol Teepsuwan and Thaworn Senniam , were found guilty of insurrection during the protests that led to the 2014 coup. The government of Yingluck came to power in
1022-613: The Thai Public Broadcasting Service , forcing them to broadcast a public address by Suthep, an act condemned by three media organisations. In a televised address, Suthep said that protesters had occupied twelve government buildings, but this claim was denied by the national security chief Paradorn Pattanathabutr. Suthep later unilaterally announced that he had met with Prime Minister Yingluck to deliver an ultimatum "to return power to people" within two days. He reaffirmed his stance that Yingluck's resignation or
1095-552: The Constitution [...] Chulalongkorn University Dean of Law Nantawat Boramanand viewed the statement as an expression of disapproval towards the Pheu Thai-dominated House. The court held that it was competent to deal with the case to provide checks and balances to the principles of separation of powers . Some legal scholars argued that the court could not interfere with the constitutional amendment, as
1168-692: The Democrat Party announced that it would boycott the February elections. In response to the EC's registration process for party-list candidates for the scheduled election in February 2014, anti-government protesters marched to the Thai-Japanese sports stadium, the venue of the registration process, on 22 December 2013. Suthep and the PDRC led the protest, with the former declaring, "If the government and
1241-452: The Democrat Party, but these failed to gain momentum. The amnesty bill was handed over to a 35-member scrutinising committee, after which it would be returned to the House for second and third readings. The committee passed a revised draft of the bill on 18 October 2013. The bill, which in its original form was aimed to absolve civilian protesters, excluding protest and government leaders and
1314-629: The Democratic Regime of Government with the King as Head". On 21 September 2006, a spokesperson requested the local media to report the Council's English name in full, rather than shortening it, along with the addendum "under the Constitutional Monarchy" after news reports had been shortening the name in their coverage. This was because the Council felt that its full name was significant to relaying its intended message, and that
1387-644: The First Army Area Lt General Anupong Paochinda, Maj General Prin Suwanathat, Lt General Jirasit Kesakomol, Maj General Ruangsak Thongdee, Maj General Sanit Phrommas, and Maj General Manas Paorik. General Lertrat Rattavanich, seen as close to the Thaksin government, was promoted to a ceremonial post of Defence Inspector General. Labor Ministry Permanent Secretary Somchai Wongsawat, brother-in-law of Thaksin Shinawatra,
1460-790: The Green Politics group, the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT), PEFOT, the Dhamma Army, and the State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation. Whistle blowing became a symbol of the protests. On 20 November 2013, the Constitutional Court invalidated a government-proposed amendment to the 2007 constitution , which would have restored elements of the 1997 People's Constitution . The major alteration would have been
1533-519: The House of Representatives during Yingluck's premiership. Most of these were popularly perceived as benefiting Thaksin, and were opposed by the Democrat Party. In August 2013, the Pheu Thai-majority House approved a first reading of a draft amnesty bill. Street protests leading up to the parliamentary session were held by an anti-Thaksin group calling itself the "People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism" (PEFOT), as well as by
SECTION 20
#17327809138531606-415: The House of Representatives on 9 December 2013 and proposed a general election for 2 February 2014, a date that was later approved by the election commission. The PDRC insisted that the prime minister stand down within 24 hours, regardless of her actions. Yingluck insisted that she would continue her duties until the scheduled election in February 2014, urging the protesters to accept her proposal: "Now that
1679-510: The Interior Ministry. This included the governors of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Buri Ram, Phatthalung, Satun, Surin, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, and Samut Prakan. Interior Minister Aree Wongarya denied that the moves were politically motivated. However, the reshuffle was widely seen as an attempt to demote those with links to the deposed government. Interior Ministry permanent secretary Phongphayome Wasaphooti also noted that
1752-557: The National Assembly was not exercising the legislative power , but the constituent power which is not subject to the system of checks and balances between the three branches . The Pheu Thai Party rejected the decision, claiming that the court had no jurisdiction over the case, earning the Constitutional Court the nickname "San Khrai Fang" (ศาลใครฟัง; "court heeded by no one"). Although her party ignored
1825-586: The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department were transferred. The junta ordered 58 prominent civilians to serve as its advisers. However, most of the appointees denied any knowledge of the appointments, with some saying they couldn't serve. "I have said that the coup is wrong, how can I serve as its advisory board?" asked Chaiwat Satha-anand of the Faculty of Political Science of Chulalongkorn University . Pratheep Ungsongtham Hata , who
1898-862: The People's Democratic Reform Committee led by Suthep began marched to several government offices and forced their way inside the Ministry of Finance , the Budget Bureau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Public Relations Department, forcing their closure without police intervention, due to government fears that this could result in a repeat 2006 military coup. Yingluck invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA) in all districts of Bangkok and Nonthaburi Province , and
1971-501: The Pheu Thai Party–dominated House of Representatives on 1 November 2013 at around 04:00. The final draft of the bill would have pardoned protesters involved in various incidents of political unrest since 2004, dismissed Thaksin's corruption convictions, and annulled murder charges against Abhisit and Suthep. The bill sparked opposition from both the Democrat Party and the pro-government Red Shirt movement. Criticism
2044-513: The Senate to scrutinise the House of Representatives. The 1997 constitution did not prohibit relatives of representatives becoming senators and resulted in the National Assembly gaining the infamous nickname "Assembly of Husbands and Wives" (สภาผัวเมีย). The court also held that the conversion of the Senate into a fully elected chamber would destroy the bicameral system . In its decision, the court stated: The constitutional amendment pursuant to
2117-1479: The Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.236 via cp1112 cp1112, Varnish XID 938638771 Upstream caches: cp1112 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 08:01:54 GMT 2013%E2%80%9314 Thai political crisis [REDACTED] Suthep Thaugsuban [REDACTED] Yingluck Shinawatra [REDACTED] Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan (Acting Prime Minister) Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Paetongtarn Shinawatra ( PTP ) Phumtham Wechayachai ( PTP ) Suriya Juangroongruangkit ( PTP ) Anutin Charnvirakul ( BTP ) Pirapan Salirathavibhaga ( UTN ) Pichai Chunhavajira ( PTP ) Prasert Jantararuangtong ( PTP ) Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Mongkol Surasajja [REDACTED] Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Pichet Chuamuangphan ( PTP ) Paradorn Prissanananthakul ( BTP ) Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut ( PP ) [REDACTED] Mongkol Surasajja Kriangkrai Srirak Bunsong Noisophon President: Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul President: Prasitsak Meelarp President: Nakarin Mektrairat Diplomatic missions of / in Thailand Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam) Foreign aid The 2013–2014 Thai political crisis
2190-476: The action was taken in an effort to "bring back normality and harmony" and with the intent to "return power to the Thai people as soon as possible." This sentiment was echoed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej , who subsequently appointed General Sonthi to lead the governing council. General Sonthi led the Council, acting as both the prime minister and the cabinet , , until the appointment of General Surayud Chulanont as
2263-552: The amnesty bill being dropped, protests in Bangkok continued. Suthep and eight other Democrat members of parliament resigned from their positions to lead demonstrations, calling for the general populace to strike and undertake civil disobedience. The protests gradually shifted towards an anti-government agenda, criticising Yingluck and her government for being proxies for Thaksin and being an elective dictatorship . Several groups protested, including Suthep's Civil Movement for Democracy,
Council for National Security - Misplaced Pages Continue
2336-431: The assets of members of the Thaksin government accused of corruption. The new committee had a much wider scope that the original Committee, and was able to respond to the demands of Jaruvan Maintaka. The committee was empowered to investigate any projects or acts by members of the Thaksin government and others who were suspected of irregularities, including tax evasion. The chairman of the old committee, Sawat Chotephanich,
2409-553: The bill, or any other amnesty bills, if it was rejected by the Senate. The Senate subsequently voted on the bill on 11 November 2013, unanimously rejecting it. At the same time, the International Court of Justice confirmed Cambodia's sovereignty over disputed territory near the Preah Vihear Temple , prompting fears of further political tension from analysts, although the border remained calm. Despite
2482-448: The bill. However, an independent poll conducted between 11–13 November reported that the majority of surveyed Thai people wanted the protests to end. Faced with strong opposition, Yingluck issued a statement, urging the Senate to contemplate the bill with the interests of the people in mind. (Procedurally, the House could not recall the bill after voting; the decision lay with the Senate.) Pheu Thai Party leaders also promised not to revive
2555-401: The country.” The reasons given for the coup were: *Erosion of faith on the national administration and impasse of political differences The statement continued: “The Council’s intervention has no other aim than to strengthen democracy through democratic reforms, including the holding of generally-accepted free and fair elections. Leaving the country under protracted political uncertainty, on
2628-466: The coup, Sonthi's former classmate Gen Boonsrang Naimpradit was promoted from Deputy Supreme Commander to the post of Supreme Commander, replacing Ruangroj Mahasaranon . Junta Secretary General, Winai Phattiyakul, was promoted to the post of Permanent Secretary for Defence. Gen Sonthi also promoted his classmates and lieutenants in the coup, 1st Army Region Commander Lt-Gen Anupong Paochinda and 3rd Army Region Commander Lt-Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr , to
2701-449: The course of the protests. On 21 January, Yingluck's government declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and the surrounding areas, to little effect. Yingluck and nine ministers were removed from office by the Constitutional Court on 7 May 2014 over the controversial transfer of a senior security officer in 2011. Supporters of Yingluck and critics argued that the move was politically motivated and an abuse of judicial power. On 20 May,
2774-534: The court decision and asserted the legality of the draft amendment, Yingluck withdrew the draft from King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 8 December 2013 before the King signed it into law. The Pheu Thai Party's denial of the court decision resulted in anti-government protest numbers swelling over the following weekend of 23–24 November 2013, with at least 100,000 protesters gathering at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue . Protest leaders claimed up to
2847-412: The crisis by analysts and commentators. Protests were first triggered by a proposed amnesty bill which would have pardoned politicians of various charges from the period following the 2006 coup d'état . Anti-government protestors argued the bill, and a simultaneous government attempt to alter the 2007 constitution , favoured Thaksin and would potentially allow him to return from self-imposed exile due to
2920-510: The date of elections to 17 months. In recent years, Thailand’s political landscape has seen significant changes. The Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai Party have emerged as major political forces. In the 2023 elections, the MFP claimed victory, signaling a shift away from military-backed rule. However, challenges remain, including potential legal hurdles and the influence of the military and royalist establishment. The Council’s statement included
2993-720: The dissolution of the House of Representatives was not acceptable, and repeated his calls to replace elected officials with an unelected "People's Council" that would choose leaders. Yingluck had rejected the demands on the basis that suspending the democratic process would be unconstitutional. On 3 December 2013, the police removed barricades and allowed protesters to enter the site, reducing tensions to allow both sides to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej 's birthday. The Digital Attack Map website recorded relatively large scale distributed denial of service ( DDoS ) attacks against internet services in Thailand corresponding almost directly to
Council for National Security - Misplaced Pages Continue
3066-678: The evacuation of the Department of Special Investigation 's headquarters, and staging a sit-in at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex . Protesters also rallied at twenty-four provincial halls, mainly in the south, a traditional Democrat Party base of support. Protesters broke into the offices of state-owned telecommunications companies CAT and TOT on 30 November, disrupting internet services for several hours. The protests had been peaceful before short violent clashes on 30 November and 1 December 2013. On
3139-809: The general election the junta would be dissolved and replaced by a Council of National Security "It's necessary to keep the council so that there is no loophole for the executive branch", General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told AFP The junta initiated the removal from the civil service of people appointed by the Thaksin government as well as Thaksin's former Class 10 classmates at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School . Military officers to be transferred to inactive posts included assistant army chief Gen Pornchai Kranlert, First Army Corps commander Lt-Gen Jirasit Kesakomol, First Army Division chief Maj-Gen Prin Suwandhat, Commander of
3212-456: The government has dissolved parliament, I ask that you stop protesting and that all sides work towards elections. I have backed down to the point where I don't know how to back down any further." Yingluck survived a no-confidence vote in the House of Representatives on 28 November 2013. Meanwhile, supporters of the NSPRT claimed the seizure of army headquarters, demanding that the military join
3285-585: The kingdom. The junta pledged to appoint a civilian government, step aside, reinstate human rights, hold elections within a year, and not change key Thaksin-government policies like universal healthcare and microcredit village funds. The junta later appointed retired General Surayud Chulanont as Premier, changed its name to the Council for National Security and institutionalized its power in the Interim Constitution, lifted their ban on political gatherings (but only for “constructive debates”), and moved
3358-412: The military, was drastically expanded into a "blanket amnesty", covering the period from 2004 to 2013. This would have included the corruption charges laid against Thaksin following the 2006 coup, as well as the murder charges against then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban related to their conduct during the 2010 mass protests in support of Thaksin. The bill was passed by
3431-404: The nation, His Majesty the King has graciously granted a Royal Command appointing General Sonthi Boonyaratglin as Leader of the Council for Democratic Reform. The people is requested to remain calm while all public servants are to follow Orders issued by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, henceforth onwards." The junta consists of the leaders of all branches of the Thai military and police: A week after
3504-498: The new prime minister. However, the Council retained considerable political power under the Council-drafted 2006 Interim Constitution , especially concerning the drafting of a permanent constitution. The Council was dissolved on 22 May 2014 upon the partial repeal of the 2007 Constitution of Thailand , when Army Commander General Prayut Chan-o-cha launched a coup d'état in response to six months of political crisis . It
3577-569: The night of 1 December, violence erupted between anti-government Ramkhamhaeng University students and Red Shirt government supporters near Rajamangala Stadium. University students attacked a taxi containing a red shirt supporter. Gunshots were fired at the students, resulting in four deaths and more than fifty people wounded. The gunman was identified by an eyewitness as a Red Shirt protester, while PDRC core member Sathit Wongnongtoey claimed that "police officers had taken off their uniforms and donned red shirts to attack Ramkhamhaeng students in front of
3650-521: The other hand, would eventually erode people’s trust and confidence in the very foundations of democracy.” The 2006 coup was followed by increased divisiveness in Thai society, leading to many more lese majeste cases despite the king's expressed wish that these be decreased. By late 2011, the United Nations and United States and other western countries had expressed extreme concerns over the lese majeste laws and lack of protection of human rights in
3723-440: The period of demonstrations, 27 November through 20 December 2013. After the King's Birthday, Suthep called for protesters to take to the streets and march to Government House on 9 December in a "final battle". The protest was attended by 160,000 people. On 8 December, all 153 minority Democrat MPs jointly resigned in a move seen as trying to further pressure the government. In response to the intensive protests, Yingluck dissolved
SECTION 50
#17327809138533796-472: The petitions is a return to the former defects which are perilous and likely to bring an end to the faith and harmony of the majority of the Thai people. It is an attempt to draw the Nation back into the canal, as it would bring the Senate back to the state of being an assembly of relatives, assembly of family members and assembly of husbands and wives. In consequence, the Senate would lose its status and vigour as
3869-421: The poorer north and northeast , due to his reforming social programs and economic policies. Political parties allied to Thaksin had won a majority in every election since 2001. Other issues, such as the royal succession , a rural-urban or north-south divide, social inequality, over-centralised bureaucracy, royal and military influence in politics, and class conflict were suggested as factors behind
3942-421: The post of Assistant Army Commander. On 22 September, the Council gave Police General Kowit Wattana absolute power over all police matters. He was also made chair of a new National Police Commission, the membership of which had not yet been announced. The Commission will be assigned to amend the 2004 National Police Bill over the next year; the bill had originally been approved by the elected parliament. Under
4015-552: The pre-coup legal framework, the Premier had been responsible for Chairing the Commission. A later restructuring reflected power shifts among the junta, particularly an increase in the power of the army and a decrease in the power of the police and navy. Police chief Kowit Watana, who, after the coup, had reshuffle senior police personnel to weaken the power base of Thaksin Shinawatra, was demoted from junta Deputy Chief to merely
4088-419: The protests. In response, on 29 November Army Commander Prayut Chan-o-cha urged protest groups not to involve the military and called on rival sides to resolve the crisis peacefully. The government abstained from the use of excessive force, relying on batons , water cannons , and tear gas instead. On 17 December 2013, PDRC secretary Suthep called for rallies with slogans demanding: On 21 December 2013,
4161-611: The resignation of Yingluck and her Pheu Thai government. On 8 December 2013, all 153 opposition Democrat Party MPs resigned and Yingluck dissolved the House of Representatives , calling a snap general election for 2 February. Voting was disrupted in areas of Bangkok and southern Thailand by PDRC protesters blocking entry to polling stations, leading to an annulment of the result by the Constitutional Court . Sporadic violence, including shootings, bomb attempts and grenades thrown at protesters led to 28 deaths and over 800 injuries during
4234-400: The restoration of a fully elected Senate, but this was blocked by the court, leaving half of the Senate as appointed seats. The court found that both the proceedings of the amendment and the contents of the new version were unconstitutional. The court ruled that the final draft voted on by the National Assembly was not the same as the one originally considered, and the new draft was brought to
4307-401: The sessions without an introductory motion. The court also decided that the time limit for amending the draft (which left only one day for the filing of amendments) was unlawful, and many MPs were found to have voted on behalf of absent MPs. With regard to the contents, the court said the amendment would have allowed the relatives of the representatives to become senators, weakening the ability of
4380-507: The shortened version may be "misleading". However, on September 27, the Council announced that they would be dropping the English reference to the monarchy due to misunderstandings arising by foreign media concerning the role the monarchy played in the Council, and declared that it would officially be known as the Council for Democratic Reform in English. When the 2006 interim constitution
4453-425: The source of wisdom for the House of Representatives, but would merely be an echo of the people from the same group. The principles of the bicameral system would be debased, leading to the monopoly of state powers and the exclusion of the participation of the members of various sectors and professions. The amendment is thus an effort of its initiators to regain the national government power by the means not recognised by
SECTION 60
#17327809138534526-415: The transfers were done in order to "reduce the influences attached to their Thai Rak Thai -initiated CEO governorships . The transfers are aimed at enabling the [Surayud] government to function more easily." Many senior government officials were transferred by the junta "for the sake of achieving reconciliation", meaning that they were alleged to have had links to the deposed regime. 10 senior officials at
4599-505: The university". UDD leaders subsequently ended their rally the following morning. Suthep, representing the newly created People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC; literal translation of the Thai name: "People's Committee for Complete Democracy with the King as Head of State" ), had vowed to overthrow the Yingluck government on 1 December in a "people's coup" attempt. That day protesters tried to force their way into Government House and
4672-487: The unsuccessful bid to create a fully elected senate. However, 308 others from the upper and lower houses were found to be in violation of Thai law. The announcement was only based on a preliminary investigation, but if the 308 members were officially found guilty by the commission, they could be banned from politics for five years by the upper house of the National Assembly, which would make the final decision on their cases. On 25 November 2013, anti-government protesters from
4745-400: The urban poor. The Shinawatra family was especially revered in the rural northeast due to the economic and social gains from Thaksinomics : between 2001 and 2011, Isan 's GDP per capita more than doubled to US$ 1,475, while, over the same period, GDP in the Bangkok area soared from US$ 7,900 to nearly US$ 13,000. Several amnesty proposals and amendments to the constitution had been debated by
4818-510: Was a period of political instability in Thailand . Anti-government protests took place between November 2013 and May 2014, organised by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), a political pressure group led by former Democrat Party parliamentary representative ( MP ) Suthep Thaugsuban . The crisis eventually resulted in the removal of incumbent Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ,
4891-504: Was appointed to the reconciliation panel, also boycotted the CDR's advisory board, noting that as a democracy advocate, she could not work with the CDR, which took by unconstitutional means. Pibhob Dhongchai , a leader of the defunct anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy , said he could not participate in the reconciliation panel because he was a member of the National Economic and Social Advisory Council, and already had
4964-972: Was arrested and is being detained on the second floor of the Army Headquarters building. Also transferred were 18 senior police officers which the junta claimed could pose a threat to national security if they were to remain in their current posts. These included Special Branch Police chief Pol Lt-Gen Thaworn Chanyim, Immigration Police chief Pol Lt-Gen Suwat Thamrongsrisakul, Region 4 chief Pol Lt-Gen Sathaporn Duangkaew, Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt-Gen Montri Chamroon, Crime Suppression Division chief Pol Maj-Gen Winai Thongsong, 191 Police chief Pol Maj-Gen Sumeth Ruangsawat, Metropolitan Police Division 5 chief Pol Maj-Gen Kosin Hinthao, Metropolitan Police Division 7 chief Pol Maj-Gen Boonsong Panichattra, and Special Branch Police Division 3 chief Pol Maj-Gen Atthakrit Thareechat. Pol Maj-Gen Atthakrit Thareechat
5037-429: Was demoted in the new committee; he later resigned, reportedly in protest. The remaining members of the new committee included several figures who had been publicly critical of the Thaksin government, including Kaewsan Atibhoti , Jaruvan Maintaka , Nam Yimyaem , and Sak Korsaengreung . Nam Yimyaem was later appointed chair of the committee. Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Too Many Requests If you report this error to
5110-463: Was levelled at the government for passing the vote in the unusual pre-dawn session to prevent opposition. Thaksin's opponents protested against absolving Thaksin of his convictions. Thaksin supporters criticised the bill for absolving those responsible for the crackdown on the 2010 protests. On 4 November 2013, several protests took place in Bangkok, as well as in several provincial cities. Several universities and organisations issued statements condemning
5183-435: Was released that same day, ahead of its promulgation on October 1, it included articles creating a Council for National Security with an identical leadership to that of the CDR, effectively re-naming the CDR to the Council for National Security once the interim constitution came into effect. Sonthi received the appointment and blessing of king Bhumibol Adulyadej , who is quoted as saying, "So as to maintain peace and order in
5256-549: Was succeeded in its capacity as military junta by the National Council for Peace and Order . The Council was originally formed as the Council for Democratic Reform ( Thai : คณะปฏิรูปการปกครองในระบอบประชาธิปไตยอันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข ; RTGS : Khana Patirup Kanpokhrong Nai Rabop Prachathippatai An Mi Phramahakasat Songpenpramuk ), abbreviated to CDR ( Thai : คปค. ). The Council's original Thai name translates literally to "Council for Reforming
5329-512: Was the military junta that ruled Thailand between its coup d'état against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on 19 September 2006 until the later coup d'état on 22 May 2014. Thaksin was deposed while overseas in New York City in a nonviolent coup led by Royal Thai Army (RTA) Commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin , one of Thailand's top military commanders. Martial law was declared on 19 September by General Sonthi, who stated that
#852147