Thai military seizes administrative power from caretaker government

BANGKOK, May 22 (TNA) - The National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC), headed by Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, has stepped in to control Thailand's administrative power, in lieu of the caretaker government, in a military coup. Speaking in a statement broadcast live nationwide with all military and police top brasses present, General Prayuth declared the military intervention, taking effect from 4:30pm on May 22, reasoning that the move is aimed to ensure peace and order and to prevent more losses of lives and the escalation of the persistent domestic political strife. General Prayuth elaborated that violence in Bangkok and several other areas during the domestic political turmoil over the past several months have cost people's lives and damaged to properties, affecting public and national security. The NPOMC, comprising the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force, under the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and the Royal Thai Police, has, therefore, seized the administrative power under the martial law in order to bring the domestic situation back to normal with restored national stability and unity, along with the restructured Thai political, economic and social systems as well as all other spheres. General Prayuth called on people of all sectors to carry on their daily ways of life and businesses as usual, stressing the NPOMC's loyalty to the revered Thai monarchy. The NPOMC chief also said that sound relations between Thailand and foreign countries and international organisations remain intact and foreign diplomats and staffs of international organisations in the country will be protected. The NPOMC later announced a curfew from 10pm to 5am until its further notice, barring all gatherings of people of over five persons and saying that buses, provided by the NPOMC, were taking demonstrators at all rally sites back home. The NPOMC said, however, that people and international visitors traveling to and from all Thai airports, as well as night-shift personnel, covering those tasked with humanitarian mission, drivers of cargo trucks and trains are exempted from the curfew imposition. But the NPOMC ordered a three-day closure of all public and private schools, universities and other educational institutes throughout the country, from May 23-25, 2014 and instructed all radio stations and television channels to suspend their regular programmes and relay broadcasts of the NPOMC only. Soldiers have been deployed at major radio and TV stations. The NPOMC also announced the temporary suspension of Thailand's 2007 Constitution, but upholding Articles on the Royal Institution, and ordered all caretaker Cabinet members to report to it at the Thai Army Club in Bangkok. The NPOMC stated although the caretaker government was terminated, the Thai Senate, courts and independent bodies can continue their operations as usual. Meanwhile, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) confirmed that all airports in the country have continued their aviation services to serve international passengers as usual. According to updated figures released by the Thai Ministry of Public Health, at least 28 people were killed and over 820 others were injured in violent incidents relating to domestic political rallies since last November. (TNA)