Mogelijk militaire coup in Thailand

Thailand Het laatste Thailand nieuws
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Mogelijk militaire coup in Thailand

Uitgegeven: 19 september 2006 17:43
Laatst gewijzigd: 19 september 2006 18:14

BANGKOK - In de Thaise hoofdstad Bangkok hebben meer dan tien legertanks de toegangswegen naar de gebouwen van de regering geblokkeerd en zwaarbewapende militairen zouden de gebouwen zijn binnengedrongen. Dat meldden ooggetuigen. Op de Thaise legertelevisie worden liederen gedraaid en afbeeldingen van de koninklijke familie getoond, wat in het verleden vaak de opmaat voor een staatsgreep vormde.

De Thaise premier Thaksin Shinawatra, die in New York bij de Algemene Vergadering van de Verenigde Naties is, heeft via de televisie de noodtoestand uitgeroepen voor Bangkok. Hij heeft alle legeronderdelen bevolen om zich niet “illegaal te bewegen”. Tijdens zijn toespraak werd de uitzending onderbroken.

Thaksin heeft de chefstaf van het leger ontslagen en inmiddels al een nieuwe legerleider benoemd om orde op zaken te stellen, citeerde de Thaise televisie de premier. Legeronderdelen die loyaal zijn aan de ontslagen legerchef, luitenant-generaal Sonthi Boonyaratglin, zouden tot de actie zijn overgegaan.
Volgens de Amerikaanse nieuwszender CNN zou Thaksin van plan zijn na zijn rede voor de Algemene Vergadering onmiddellijk huiswaarts te keren. Zijn toespraak zou naar voren zijn gehaald. Het Witte Huis heeft laten weten de situatie in Bangkok te onderzoeken.

Boycot
Thailand verkeert in een politieke crisis sinds de verkiezingen van 2 april. Door een boycot van de oppositie konden niet alle parlementszetels worden bezet. De oppositie wilde protesteren tegen de omstreden Thaksin, die zij beschuldigt van machtsmisbruik en corruptie.

Het Hooggerechtshof verklaarde de verkiezingen in mei ongeldig. Op 15 oktober staat een nieuwe stembusgang gepland.

Bron: www.nu.nl

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Military coup under way in Thailand
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Bangkok Post

No one has claimed to have taken control of government, but a power vacuum has occurred and it appears that there has been a military coup.

Tanks are on the streets of Bangkok, and parked on Sanam Luang (the Royal Grounds), near the Government House, in the main administrative region.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawtara, currently in New York, declared a state of emergency on Tuesday evening, amid rumours that the military had staged a coup d’etat.

The broadcast with the Thaksin decree was cut off in mid-sentence. It has been common in past military coups - Thailand has experienced 19 since 1932 - for the military to seize control of the airwaves as their first step to seizing power.

Mr Thaksin also ordered troops restricted to barracks.

Tanks have taken up positions around Government House - meaning troops have not stayed in their barracks.

TV and radio stations are playing music and old videotapes of the type played during military coups in the bad old days of military dictatorships.

**“I declare Bangkok under a severe state of emergency,” said Mr Thaksin before his audio transmission was cut off by broadcast media. **

Mr Thaksin requested an earlier speaking time at the United Nations – early Wednesday morning Thailand time. Aides told reporters in Thailand that he intended to fly directly back to Bangkok after the speech, which would bring him back to Bangkok on Thursday morning at the earliest.
The official Thai News Agency was unavailable on the Internet, or by telephone.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

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**Coup makers call themselves Democratic Reform Council

**by Bangkokpost.com ****

Army commander Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has launched a military coup, with tanks surrounding Government House and the military in charge of all local broadcast media.

The actual coup came in the middle of a panicky message by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from New York.

In a connection to Thai TV and radio, Mr Thaksin attempted to declare a “severe state of emergency in Bangkok” but was cut off midway.

Shortly after that, a message appeared on screen on public TV stations, saying the army was in charge, and appologising for inconvenience caused.
The last military coup in Thailand - there have been 19 since 1932 - was in 1991. It was overthrown in 1992 amid considerable bloodshed, and after that a democratic constitution was proclaimed.

“[Gen Sonthi] seems to be behind it. Since this afternoon there have been troop movements into Bangkok,” said Panitan Wattanayagon, a professor at Chulalongkorn Univeristy who specialises in military affairs.

Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com

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Stille coup in Thailand

Uitgegeven: 20 september 2006 06:24
Laatst gewijzigd: 20 september 2006 10:23

**BANGKOK - Thaise militairen versterken woensdag hun greep op vooral de hoofdstad Bangkok na een coup dinsdagavond die volgens generaal Sondhi Boonyaratglin noodzakelijk is voor behoud van de nationale eenheid. **

Militairen, naar verluidt overwegend eenheden uit de westelijke provincie Kanchanaburi, voerden hun staatsgreep naar het zich laat aanzien volgens een traditioneel recept uit. De laatste keer dat Thaise militairen een staatsgreep pleegden was vijftien jaar geleden.

Patriottische melodieën en symbolen vulden de ether terwijl premier Thaksin Shinawatra bij de VN in New York een redevoering wilde gaan houden. Tanks trokken door de straten en de geüniformeerde coupplegers maakten via de overgenomen media bekend dat het zo echt niet langer kon en dat ze tijdelijk de macht overnemen om orde op zaken te stellen.

Samenscholingsverbod

De militairen kondigden daartoe zeer strenge maatregelen aan: een samenscholingsverbod, opschorting van de grondwet, afkondiging van de staat van beleg, instelling van een verboden zone van 500 meter rond het regeringscentrum, sluiting van grensposten en fikse gevangenisstraffen voor het verhogen van prijzen. Woensdag werden de vice-premier en de minister van Defensie gearresteerd.

Vrije dag

Het leven ligt stil omdat de militairen een vrije dag hebben uitgeroepen. Alleen directeuren van staatsinstellingen en universiteiten en hoge ambtenaren moeten zich melden bij de nieuwe machthebbers. Die stellen tijdelijk te gaan regeren met hun Raad van Administratieve Hervorming die loyaal is aan koning Bhumibol.

Regionale militaire commandanten vormen in hun district het hoogste gezag. Wie de nieuwe tijdelijke regering leidt, is nog onduidelijk. Volgens het dagblad The Nation zou de directeur van de centrale bank, Pridayadhorn Devakula benaderd zijn om het premierschap op zich te nemen. Hij is net als de premier in het buitenland en keert woensdag vanuit Singapore naar Bangkok terug. Eerder zei een militaire zegsman dat generaal Sondhi Boonyaratglin zelf premier wordt.

De afgezette Thaksin Shinawatra houdt vol het wettig gezag te vertegenwoordigen. Hij zou op het punt staan New York te verlaten maar het is niet bekendgemaakt waar hij heen gaat. Australië heeft de militaire staatsgreep scherp veroordeeld en de Europese Unie heeft de coupplegers opgeroepen terug te keren naar de kazerne en de weg vrij te maken voor de democratisch gekozen regering.

Shinawatra

Het kabinet van de rijke zakenman Thaksin Shinawatra lag voor de zonder bloedvergieten verlopen coup van dinsdag al negen maanden onder zwaar politiek vuur. Hij werd in 2001 tot premier gekozen en raakte begin dit jaar in opspraak over beweerde onoorbare privé-transacties rond een telecommunicatiebedrijf.

Massale betogingen brachten de belaagde premier ertoe omstreden vervroegde verkiezingen te houden in april. Het hooggerechtshof annuleerde die vervolgens en beval nieuwe verkiezingen. Bangkok bleef het toneel van talrijke demonstraties tegen de premier. De strijdkrachten stellen met hun staatsgreep een einde te maken aan de verdeeldheid in het land. Zij beloven de macht weer terug te zullen geven aan het volk.

*Bron: www.nu.nl *

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

The current government administration has caused conflicts and undermined the harmony of the people as never before in history. Each side is determined to win by any means and the discord has shown a tendency to escalate.
Many people have been suspicious about the actions of the national administration under a constitutional monarchy.

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Troops stand guard in front of Channel 5 television station on Phahon Yothin Road. — Apichit Jinakul

The nation has been governed in a corrupt manner. Independent agencies have been dominated by politics. The constitutional intention is unserved.

This has led to political activities becoming problem-plagued on many fronts and the situation had worsened to the point where violations against His Majesty the King are in danger of occurring. This is despite efforts by many sections of society to resolve the problem. The efforts have not pacified the growing tension, however. For this reason, the Democratic Reform Council with the monarch as its head, which comprises the armed forces leaders and chief of the Royal Thai Police Office, has found it imperative to seize the power of government from this point onward. The council is steadfast in its objective, which is not to take over the government permanently and it will return power to the people as soon as possible.

The council is committed to preserving peace and security and to upholding the monarchy.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/200906_news05.jpg

The entrance of the road leading to the residence of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Charan Sanitwong is blocked. — Thawatchai kemgumnerd

**First coup announcement **

In reference to the council’s announcement of its power seizure earlier, for the sake of peace and order to prevail in the country, the council has imposed nationwide martial law. The council has repealed the state of emergency declared on Sept 19 at 9.05pm. This announcement is made by Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, head of the Democratic Reform Council.

**Second coup announcement **

The council has ordered that all mobilisation and movement of military logistics and manpower be prohibited. Military personnel are absolutely not to leave their units without permission from the council.

**Third coup announcement **

  1. The current constitution, drafted in 1997, is now abrogated.
  2. The House of Representatives, the Senate, the Cabinet and the Constitution Court are dissolved.
  3. The privy councillors will remain in their duty.
  4. The courts of justice, except the Constitution Court, will retain their full power.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/200906_news06.jpg

Chronology
**8 pm **- Negotiations were held between a pro-Thaksin group led by Supreme Commander Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranont and another group led by Army Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin. Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda was approached to mediate in the talks. Gen Sonthi’s group wanted Mr Thaksin to wash his hands off politics.
8.30 pm - Gen Prem had an audience with the King.
9.30 pm - Gen Prem left the palace. A source close to Gen Prem quoted the privy council president as saying that there would be no problems as Thaksin would leave politics.
9.05 pm - Thaksin refused to bow to pressure. He declared a state of emergency with Gen Ruangroj being appointed to enforce the state emergency. He sacked Gen Sonthi as army chief. Mr Thaksin’s statement came on air around 10 pm and was taken off the air by the military just minutes later.
**10 pm **- Gen Sonthi’s troops wearing yellow and blue ribbons drove their tanks towards Government House.
11 pm - Gen Sonthi’s troops sieged Government House without any resistance from the pro-Thaksin group.
11.10 pm - The Democratic Reform Council issued a statement that it had taken control of the country.
12.00 am -The council had an audience with the King at Chitrlada Palace.
**12.30 am **- The council scrapped the state of emergency decree.
12.35 am - The council issued an order banning the movement of troops from their bases.
12.47 am - The council issued a third announcement abolishing the 1997 constitution, the Upper House, the Lower House, the Cabinet and the Constitution Court. The privy council remains in office. All courts except the Constitution Court retain their authority.

*** A source said Gen Sonthi earlier consulted Gen Prem about his plan to seize power from the government. The privy council president acknowledged his plan, but did not give his view. During the past three months, Gen Prem reminded troops from the three armed forces in his lectures that they “belong to His Majesty the King and the country, and not to the politicians. Their foremost loyalty should always lie with the country and the King”. ** *** Gen Sonthi, Navy Chief Adm Sathiraphan Keyanont, Air Force chief ACM Chalit Phukphasuk and national police chief Pol Gen Kowit Watana, who sit on the Democratic Reform Council, were classmates and graduates of Class 6 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. **

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

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Op 19 september jl. heeft in Thailand een staatsgreep plaatsgevonden, zonder geweld of ongeregeldheden. Legerleider generaal Sonthi Boonyaratglin kondigde aan dat het nieuwe bestuur, de zogenaamde Raad voor Democratische Hervormingen, de macht in het land heeft overgenomen. Het nieuwe bestuur heeft de staat van beleg afgekondigd, de grondwet ingetrokken en regering en parlement ontbonden. Het lokale en internationale vliegverkeer verloopt normaal. De Nederlandse ambassade in Bangkok adviseert Nederlandse toeristen om extra waakzaam te zijn en zich via televisie, internet en haar website (www.mfa.nl/ban) op de hoogte te stellen van de laatste ontwikkelingen. Daarbij wordt aangeraden samenscholingen en demonstraties te mijden en tot nader order het gebied rond de regeringsgebouwen zekerheidshalve te mijden. Gelet op de situatie ter plaatse zijn er voor reizigers geen beperkingen om hun reis naar en in Thailand volgens plan uit te voeren.

*Bron: Thais Verkeersbureau / www.thaisverkeersbureau.nl *

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Mr Thaksin’s health and economic policies pleased rural voters

**Last year Thaksin Shinawatra became the first prime minister in Thailand’s history to lead an elected government through a full four-year term in office. **

He began his second term in February 2005 after a landslide poll victory.

But optimism quickly faded and Thailand has been in political turmoil for most of 2006.

His opponents - who highlighted his intolerance of criticism and his failure to end separatist violence in the country’s south - were buoyed by his family’s decision at the start of 2006 to sell its shares in one of Thailand’s biggest telecom groups, Shin Corp.

The sale, which netted family members and others $1.9bn, angered many urban Thais, who complained that the family avoided paying tax and passed control of an important national asset to Singaporean investors.

With calls mounting for him to resign over the issue and large-scale street protests, Mr Thaksin called a snap general election for April, effectively telling opponents to “put up or shut up”.

But main opposition parties boycotted the polls and many voters chose to register a “no vote”. Several unopposed ruling party candidates failed to achieve the 20% of votes needed to become MPs, leaving parliament unable to convene.

Faced with the threat of further protests, Mr Thaksin said he would step down. He did for a few weeks, but returned to office in May ahead of a re-run of April’s elections later in the year.

Former policeman

Born in the northern city of Chiang Mai, Mr Thaksin started his career as a police officer. In 1973, he received a government scholarship to study for a masters degree in criminal justice in the United States.


Protests continued in Bangkok in the run-up to April 2006 polls

When he returned he went into business, and during the late 1980s began building a telecommunications empire, helped by cornering state monopolies.
He founded his Thai Rak Thai (Thai Loves Thai party) in 1998, and its rapid emergence transformed Thai politics.
Mr Thaksin swept into office in 2001, soundly defeating the old guard from the Democrat Party.

Poorer voters liked his offers of cheap medical care and debt relief, his nationalist platform and his contempt for the “Bangkok elite”.

But big business also liked him for his CEO style of government and his “Taksinomics” policies which created a new boom in the country where the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s began.

Mr Thaksin also won support for his handling of the tsunami relief effort after the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster, which devastated parts of south-western Thailand.

Overcoming critici****sm

But other things were not so easy.


Mr Thaksin has struggled to handle the insurgency in the south

He had to face the fallout from his government’s suppression of news of an outbreak of bird flu, as well as continuing criticism over his methods of stamping out crime.

The violent deaths of more than 2,500 people during a crackdown on drugs ordered by Mr Thaksin in 2003 did not affect his public support, neither did an earlier finding by Thailand’s Corruption Commission that he had failed to declare all of his wealth.

He even weathered criticism over the government’s handling of the upsurge in violence in the largely Muslim south, where more than 1,000 people have died since an insurgency began in early 2004.

Each time Mr Thaksin appeared to ride out the storm, his backing among his key supporters - Thailand’s rural voters - apparently unscathed.
But the sale of Shin Corp fuelled an already active opposition, creating a political storm that has proved to be a very rocky ride for Mr Thaksin.

Bron: BBC News

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Gen Sonthi is the first Muslim to be commander-in-chief

The leader of the coup in Thailand, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, has made his mark in recent months with some very public disagreements with the man he has overthrown, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Appointed commander-in-chief last year, Gen Sonthi is known to be close to the country’s King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, and has been seen as an unofficial spokesman for the monarch.

After parliamentary elections in April, which were later annulled because of concerns about their legitimacy, he said that King Bhumibol was “saddened” by the situation.

Gen Sonthi, 59, graduated from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1969 and was commissioned to the Royal Army Infantry Corps.

A decorated combat veteran, he headed several top Thai army units including the elite Special Warfare Command.

**Muslim insurgency **

Gen Sonthi was appointed commander-in-chief last year, the first member of Thailand’s Muslim minority to hold the position.

The move was seen as an attempt by the government to curb an Islamist insurgency in the south of the country which has killed more than 1,400 people in the last two-and-a-half years.

His first major spat with the government came when his proposal for talks with the militants was rejected.

And when the political crisis blew up earlier this year, with the opposition Democrat Party boycotting elections amid claims that Mr Thaksin was abusing his power, Gen Sonthi voiced his - and the king’s - concerns.

“The country’s problem, which originated some time ago and has prevailed until now, has saddened his majesty, which has upset and worried me,” he was quoted by local media as saying. “As a soldier of his majesty, I would like to help him relieve his worry and the army will adhere strictly to whatever advice he gives us.”

Bron: BBC News

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For a man so unused to defeat, Thailand’s ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must be bewildered by how quickly he lost power.

**


**

Having flown to New York to deliver a speech to the UN, he instead received news that he had been overthrown in a military coup.

He initially phoned a Thai television station to declare a state of emergency, but was cut off by military censors after 10 minutes.

His speech to the General Assembly, scheduled for Wednesday, was brought forward to Tuesday evening before being cancelled altogether.

The billionaire businessman-turned-politician flew into London later on Wednesday, arriving at Gatwick Airport on a Thai Airways flight.


While in the US, with telephone links affected,Mr Thaksin was reported to have been able to do little but watch events unfold on a TV set in his room at the plush Grand Hyatt hotel.

“It is very difficult to communicate with people, to get to know the exact situation here,” one official was quoted as saying.

Another said Mr Thaksin was “calm” and had watched US President Bush’s speech to the General Assembly from his hotel room.

UK ties

Mr Thaksin was initially reported to have chartered a Russian plane to fly him to London, where he has a home and where one of his daughters is a student.

But he finally boarded a chartered Thai Airways flight at New York’s John F Kennedy, which touched down at Gatwick at 1735 (1635 GMT).

The UK foreign office had said he was free to travel to Britain “on a private basis” and added that he did so often as he has relatives in the country.

One of his daughters is studying in London. His wife is reported to have travelled from Thailand to Singapore on Monday night. It is not known where his son and other daughter are.

Family wealth

Thailand’s coup leader, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, has said Mr Thaksin may return to the country but warned that he could face criminal charges.

He refused to be drawn on whether the military would seize Mr Thaksin’s considerable assets in Thailand, saying only: “Everything will comply with the law. Anybody who has committed a wrongdoing must be held responsible.”

The sale of Mr Thaksin’s stake in the telecoms firm he founded, Shin Corp, to Singapore investors at the beginning of the year led to the current political crisis.

Many Thais were enraged that the family had sold off a national asset, and had not paid tax on the $1.9bn deal.

But while support for him has dropped in Thailand’s urban areas, Mr Thaksin retains support in the countryside.

Thai political economist Dr Pasuk Pongpaijitr says it may be difficult for the ousted leader to return in the short term, “but there’s always a possibility he’ll return one day”.

“Having a lot of money means he definitely has options,” she adds.
It remains to be seen whether Mr Thaksin, who has played such a big part in both the political and business life of Thailand will settle for a life in exile.

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Thailand’s capital back to work

The people of Thailand have returned to work less than 36 hours after a military coup ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Tanks still patrolled Bangkok’s streets but the military presence was less visible and traffic was busy.

The bloodless coup has been condemned internationally, with the US expressing “disappointment”.

But it has been greeted with relief by many Thais, and appears to have been endorsed by the royal palace. Mr Thaksin, who was at the

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United Nations in New York when the coup took place, has now arrived in Britain.

“I was prime minister when I came [to New York], and I was jobless on the way back,” the Thai News Agency quoted him as saying.

Thai stocks fell by nearly 4% when the market reopened - it had been closed on Wednesday - but soon recovered most of the losses.

Democracy pledge

The coup followed months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Thaksin and a general election which was annulled due to concerns about its legitimacy.

The coup’s leader, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, has said he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people, blaming government mismanagement.

He has promised to appoint a new prime minister within two weeks, and said the interim government would draft a new constitution with the aim of restoring democracy within a year.

In Bangkok, where Mr Thaksin is unpopular, many people have welcomed the news of the coup.

In the countryside the picture is less certain, as most of Mr Thaksin’s support base is among the rural poor.

Internationally, though, news of the coup has been widely condemned.

White House press secretary Tony Snow said the US was “disappointed”, and added that talks on a US free trade agreement with Thailand depended on a swift return to democracy.

The European Union demanded that the military forces “stand back and give way to the democratically elected political government”.

Rodolfo Severino, the former secretary general of the Asian regional grouping Asean, said the Thai coup “seems to be a step backward in the trend toward institutional processes” in the region.

Media controls

Since taking over, coup leaders have detained Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Mr Thaksin’s top aide Prommin Lertsuridej.

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Other ministers close to the ousted leader have been “invited” to report to the new administration, the coup leaders said in a statement.

Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka has also been asked to investigate government corruption, which could lead to the confiscation of Mr Thaksin’s assets.

Thailand is technically under martial law, and the military has banned political gatherings of more than five people and restricted information critical of the coup from being distributed in the media.

Thai media heads have been summoned for a meeting spelling out the new regulations.

The administration “will ask all media to stop broadcasting text messages from viewers and to stop running other expressions of public opinion,” an army official told the French news agency AFP.

According to Thai state TV, Thailand’s revered head of state, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has given his backing to Gen Sonthi.

The general is believed to be close to the king, although he says the monarch had nothing to do with the actual coup.

The television statement attributed to the king urged all Thais to “remain peaceful” and called for civil servants to listen to orders from Gen Sonthi. Correspondents in Bangkok say securing the endorsement of the 78-year-old monarch is crucial to the success of the military intervention.

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Plegers Thaise coup geïnstalleerd als regering

BANGKOK (ANP) - De Thaise coupleider general Sonthi Boonyaratglin heeft vrijdag de formele goedkeuring van koning Bhumibol Adulyadej gekregen. Dit gebeurde tijdens een ceremonie in het militaire hoofdkwartier.

Bhumibol liet een decreet voorlezen waarin de generaal werd bevestigd als hoofd van de nieuwe militaire regeringsraad. Sonthi, gekleed in een wit gala-uniform, boog daarop diep voor een altaar met een afbeelding van de aanbeden koning.

Het decreet is woensdag al ondertekend. De ceremonie vond vrijdagochtend plaats en was landelijk op televisie te zien.

Volgens waarnemers is de koninklijke goedkeuring voor de coup de belangrijkste reden dat de machtsovername zonder bloedvergieten heeft kunnen plaatsvinden.

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‘Vier kandidaten voor post premier Thailand‘

BANGKOK (ANP) - De nieuwe militaire machthebbers in Thailand hebben vier kandidaten op het oog voor de functie van premier. De lijst met namen zal komende week woensdag worden voorgelegd aan koning Bhumibol, zo liet een bron rond de militaire coupplegers weten.
Het Thaise leger zette afgelopen week in een geweldloze staatsgreep de regering van premier Thaksin Shinawatra af. De coupleiders beloofden binnen twee weken een nieuwe premier te benoemen.
Op de lijst staan de namen van de voormalige leider van de Wereldhandelsorganisatie Supachai Panitchpakdi, van de huidige directeur van de Thaise centrale bank Pridiyathorn Devakula en die van de presidenten van de twee belangrijkste rechtbanken van het land, Charnchai Likhitchittha en Ackaratorn Chularat.
De voormalige directeur van de centrale bank, Chatu Mongol Sonakul, die eerder getipt was om Thaksin op te volgen, zou niet op de lijst staan.

23.09.06 10:38 ANP

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**‘Thaksin hield rekening met coup‘ **

BANGKOK (ANP) - De voormalige Thaise premier Thaksin Shinawatra hield bij zijn vertrek naar het buitenland waarschijnlijk al rekening met een staatsgreep. Bronnen bij luchtvaartmaatschappij Thai International meldden dat Thaksin 58 grote koffers en kisten met zich mee het vliegtuig innam, toen hij zijn buitenlandse tournee begon.

In Thailand wordt al dagen gespeculeerd of Thaksin voor de staatsgreep grote sommen geld het land uit heeft weten te smokkelen, zo meldde zondag de website van de krant The International Herald Tribune. Op 17 september, enkele dagen voor de coup, werden de premier nog eens 56 koffers nagezonden.

Thaksins bewind werd volgens critici gekenmerkt door corruptie, zelfverrijking en machtsmisbruik.

De nieuwe militaire leiding heeft eerder al aangekondigd een groot onderzoek te beginnen naar de financiële transacties van Thaksin.

24.09.06 14:42 ANP