Breaking News: Thailand's coup in the headlines

A roundup of coverage from around the world in the days following the coup

By Alison Carroll
AsiaMedia Staff Writer

Thursday, September 28, 2006

When the news broke of the bloodless coup that had occurred in Bangkok late Tuesday, Sept. 19, international media were swift to the task of reporting. As the events unfolded, people around the world were either waking up to or just catching wind of different -- and sometimes changing -- interpretations of the events that had unfolded.

"Most peaceful military coup in Thai history"
In the days after the coup, coverage in Thailand's Bangkok Post highlighted the peaceful nature of the changes. An article from last Thursday said, "[The coup] turned out to be the mildest and most peaceful operation in the history of Thai political revolutions. No gunshots were fired. There were no clashes or bloodbaths. And many people, instead of being scared away by the tanks and troops that roamed the city, felt safe enough to approach and even give the soldiers bunches of roses." The article cited coup supporters, such as former Thai senator Chirmsak Pinthong who said coup leaders have "good intention to improve the country's democracy, with respect for the King." Still, an editorial in the Post was more ambivalent: "The return of the military coup is a major step backward for Thailand. But without it, the country was never going to move forward," it said.

Shortly after the Council for Democratic Reform took control of the government, Thai news agencies became subject to media control. Bangkok's The Nation reported on these restrictions last Thursday (Soldiers keep close watch on media networks and Internet answers demand for news). The Nation's ongoing coverage can be found on "Thai Upheaval."

"With Premier at U.N., Thai Military Stages Coup"
The New York Times gave readers a portrait (subscription required) of tanks and soldiers rolling through the streets of Bangkok while Prime Minister Thaksin, unaware of what was about to unfold, was in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. As news of the coup broke, Thaksin declared a state of emergency on Thai television, only to be cut-off mid-broadcast. The Times also reported that General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin would lead the way as an interim government is chosen.

"Ideals and Realities Clash In Bush 'Freedom Agenda'"
The Washington Post's Peter Baker last Thursday reported on the irony of U.S. President George Bush's speech praising the spread of democracy to the General Assembly, though "even as he spoke, tanks were rolling through the streets of Bangkok as a military coup toppled the elected leader of Thailand." Bush made no mention of the coup in his speech, which Baker said shows that Bush's "freedom agenda" is inherently selective.

"No democracy for year, Thai coup leader warns"
On the website of the International Herald Tribune last Wednesday, the headline read "No democracy for year, Thai coup leader warns." Later it was changed to "Thai general plans yearlong transition." In a news analysis, International Herald Tribune made a broader comment on the region: "One more Southeast Asian nation has reinterpreted democracy in undemocratic terms, either manipulating or sidestepping constitutional processes to achieve political ends…Now both Thailand and the Philippines, the region's two exemplars of democracy, have removed democratically elected leaders in coups that followed popular uprisings."

"Nations urge a rapid return to Thai democracy"
The Standard in Hong Kong reported last Thursday that Thailand would hold democratic elections by 2007, and the highlighted the concerns of Thailand's neighbors. "Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he was 'shocked' by the coup" while officials in China, Japan and Indonesia said they are "concerned" about the situation, the report said.

India's The Hindu also remarked on regional concerns surrounding the coup. An article last Thursday quoted ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong who said that "the main issues were the 'unpredictability' and the 'uncertainties' associated with the 'sudden change of government.'" Ong said he was, however, reassured by military rulers' pledge that Thailand's foreign policy would remain unchanged.

"Army grabs power from Thaksin"
The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong led with (subscription required) General Sonthi's role in the coup: "Thailand's army commander wrested power from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, sending tanks and troops into the streets of the Thai capital last night and declaring martial law." Sonthi was also highlighted in an Associated Press story,"Muslim rebel leader welcomes Thailand's coup," which they ran the day after the coup.

"Thai junta wins royal blessing, purges Thaksin allies"
Malaysia's New Straits Times and Vietnam's Saigon Giai Phong both published Agence France-Presse's interpretation of last Tuesday's coup: "Soldiers patrolling the streets have tied yellow ribbons on their weapons out of respect for the king." The article's focus was the return of the royal king's authority, while Saigon Giai Phong featured a photo of Sonthi on his knees in front of a picture of the king.

"Reaction in RP: It can't happen here"
The Philippines press relied on government and military sources to dispel fears that the events in Thailand could trigger a similar event in the Philippines any time soon. "Ex-plotter sees no parallel coup in RP," in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, quoted retired Navy Commodore Rex Robles who said there are major differences between the two countries that would make a successful coup unlikely in the Philippines. The Manila Times also elaborated on their top story about the coup with a piece emphasizing the Philippines' relative stability.

Date Posted: 9/28/2006

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