Thailand Coup: Day Five

Monks with Tank
[Image: New York Times]

Things’re still quiet here in Bangkok; there was a very small protest at Siam Paragon mall last night. It drew between 15 and 100 protesters, depending on who you ask. By all accounts the numbers of journalists and onlookers outnumbered the protesters. The biggest question today is when a new PM will be named and who he’ll be.

The bottom line: Thai people feel an extraordinary amount of respect for their king, and so long as he has endorsed the coup leaders, all is copacetic.

To the news coverage:

CNN:

Thai banker ‘favored as next PM’

AP:

Even in Thaksin territory, villagers say coup could solve Thailand’s problems

The CSM‘s Simon Montlake and Dan Ten Kate:

Thai coup uproots a thin democracy

The IHT‘s Seth Mydans:

“Coup May Allow Thais to Take New Tack on Insurgency”

Mr. Thaksin’s ouster in a coup this week offers the chance for a new approach, though not a quick end, to an insurgency that has become nastier and more entrenched and that experts say may be receiving guidance and training from foreign Islamic insurgents.

The WaPo‘s Anthony Faiola:

Thai Coup Highlights Struggles Over Democracy

Reuters‘ Ed Cropley:

Coup puts Thailand’s dream of world role on ice

AP:

Thailand’s military rulers irritated at foreign reporting on coup

Elsewhere:

— The Council for the Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy — aka the ruling junta — now has an official Web site;

Bangkok Pundit:

The 14 October and to a lesser extent the 6 October are important dates in the Thai calendar. Given their connection between civilian government and military coups both dates will likely see protests against the coup.

2Bangkok’s photos prove that this was truly the “smooth as silk” coup;

— Thai food blogger Chez Pim examines the situation; and

Bangkok Expat Mama attended a small pro-democracy rally last night.

And finally, thanks for links from:

Jaunted; Wendy Harman; Obsidian Wings; and Centerfield.

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