Military Coup in Thailand

Its a week now military coup has ousted the Thailand’s Prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The news broke on Tuesday’s night. There was a wave of panic as situation was uncertain. The phone calls from family and well wishers swarm in with the instruction of not stepping out of the house. I got a reason of getting up late in the morning but to my astonishment things were functioning with normal pace. I saw people on raod , all modes of transportation buses, taxis, sky trains , subway operating the next day with less traffic . Except government offices, educational institutes and banks rest every thing was open. We were well connected to the world through telephone and Internet. After a day Bangkok was same with traffic and people every where. It was broadcasted on TV channels that military coup has taken over parliament, media offices and major government buildings. Till today I have not seen any military tank or soldier on roads in the city, they are restricted to those limited area.

In past 70 years Thailand has encountered 17 Military coup and this is eighteenth one which is also considered to be the most peaceful one. The important reason is support of people. Although Thailand is facing condemnation from rest of the world but inside the country picture is different, the opinion polls on Wednesday showed a remarkable 80% vote of support for the actions of army chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin and his counterparts from the air force, navy and police.

Thailand's liberal democracy looked fine on paper but proved to be sorely lacking in practice, resulting in deep fractures within society that proved intractable and seemingly unsolvable, at least within the confines of the system. The general elections were getting postponed from past six months with the hold of former Prime minister now was known as care taking prime minister. The political paralysis that had gripped the country this year represented a collision of interests, viewpoints and social spheres that has long been simmering under the surface image of the Land of Smiles.The weak opposition was merely a spectator. Hence military coup seems to be the necessary step for getting democracy back.

Violence is least expected as people and most importantly the Honorable King, who is revered in the country, is supporting the military coup.The leaders of the Council for Democratic Reform have pledged to return power to the people as quickly as possible, with elections to be held within nine to twelve months. One can only hope that their deeds are as good as their words, and that the council truly lives up to its name.