Radio New Zealand : Thai army undertakes to return power quickly after coup

Thai army undertakes to return power quickly after coup

Radio New Zealand | September 20, 2006

The head of the Thai army, which has overthrown the government in a coup, has pledged to hand back power to the people "as soon as possible".

Sonthi Boonyaratglin made a televised address on Wednesday, flanked by four other leaders of the Political Reform Council, which has seized power.

He said the council has no intention to run the country by themselves and will return power under the constitutional monarchy to the people as soon as possible.

A senior Thai official says Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was at the United Nations when the coup happened, will leave New York on Wednesday for an undisclosed location.

Coup knocks NZ dollar

The Thai coup took the wind out of the New Zealand dollar's sails just when it was nearing a six and a half month high.

The currency slipped almost a cent against the US dollar after hovering near US66.6 cents at one stage on Tuesday night, as investors dumped Asian currencies and bought greenbacks.

ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie says investors are more interested in safe havens than high-yield currencies. Current account data due on Thursday will also weigh on the New Zealand dollar.

At 12.10pm Wednesday, the New Zealand dollar was buying around US65.8 cents.
Army declares holiday

The armed forces declared Wednesday a government, bank and market holiday.

Don Muang airport, one of Asia's busiest air terminals, remained open and there were no reports of flight cancellations.

The Thai baht, one of Asia's strongest currencies this year, suffered its biggest fall in three years.

Loyalty declared to King

The leadership of a council set up by the armed forces has declared its loyalty to King Bhumibol.

The spokesman said the coup was necessary because Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government had divided the country and corruption was rampant.

The BBC reports there has been pressure growing on him to resign, following a political impasse in which April's general election was declared invalid.
First coup for 15 years

Thailand has seen 18 coups since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. This is the first in 15 years.

Tanks earlier surrounded Government House. The BBC reports troops have taken over the prime minister's office.

Retired Lieutenant-General Prapart Sakuntanak earlier announced a commission to reform the constitution, which the prime minister's critics had accused him of undermining.

Prudence advised for visitors

New Zealand's ambassador to Thailand, Brook Barrington, told Morning Report there have been rumours of a coup plot over the past few weeks. However, he said the city seemed to be calm.

Mr Barrington says New Zealanders in Bangkok should exercise prudence.

NZ PM condemns coup

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has condemned the military coup in Thailand.

She says it is bad news for Thailand and for the region.

Miss Clark says the army's seizure of power is a setback for work to improve government and human rights in South-east Asia.

Travel to Thailand seen as a risk - NZ MFAT

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is advising New Zealanders of a risk to personal security in Thailand.

The ministry says people in Bangkok should avoid public gatherings and demonstrations, and keep away from key government buildings. It adds that they should monitor the media to keep up to date with the situation and heed any instructions issued by local authorities.

It also suggests travellers to Thailand might consider putting off their holidays if they can do so at no cost. Intending travellers are advised to contact their airline office or tourist operator before departing, to ascertain the latest situation. They are also advised to monitor the ministry's website.

MFAT earlier advised people to defer non-essential travel to southern provinces where almost 1,700 people have died since an insurgency began in January 2004. The provinces are Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala. Parts of Songkhla province are under martial law.

Cancellation not a problem

Travel agents say New Zealanders wanting to go to Thailand should be eligible to cancel without penalty if they feel insecure after the coup.

Thailand is a popular holiday destination for New Zealanders, with 29,000 people holidaying there in the year to June.

John McGuinness of travel agency Flight Centre says if would-be travellers want to cancel their flight, they will be catered for.

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