2014 Thai coup d'état: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|2014 militaryMilitary coup in Thailand}}

| conflict = 2014 Thai coup d'état

| partof = the [[2013–2014 Thai political = crisis]]

| image = File:2014 0526 Thailand coup Chang Phueak Gate Chiang Mai 03.jpg

| date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2014|5|22}}

| place = [[Thailand]]

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| result = = Successful [[Royal Thai Armed Forces|military]] and [[Royal Thai Police|police]] takeover

* [[Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan|Caretaker]] removed as caretaker [[Prime Minister of Thailand|prime minister]] removed

* [[Yingluck Shinawatracabinet|Yingluck]]'s [[Yingluck cabinet|caretaker government]] dissolved

* [[2007 constitution of Thailand#Senate|2007]] [[Senate of Thailand|Senate]] dissolved

* [[2007 Constitutionconstitution of Thailand|2007 Constitutionconstitution]] repealed

* Military junta, the ([[National Council for Peace and Order Maintaining Council|NCPO]]) established

* [[Prayut Chan-o-cha|Prayut]] endorsed by [[Bhumibol|King Bhumibol]] as [[National Peace and Order Maintaining Council|NCPO]] leader and [[Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister]]

* [[2014 interim constitution of Thailand|2014 interim constitution]] by NCPO enacted

* [[Constitution of Thailand#2017 constitution|2017 constitution]] by the junta [[National Legislative Assembly of Thailand (2014)|NLA]] enacted

On 22 May 2014, the [[Royal Thai Armed Forces]], led by General [[Prayut Chan-o-cha]], the [[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Army|Commander]]commander of the [[Royal Thai Army]] (RTA), launched a [[coup d'état]], the 12thtwelfth since [[Siamese revolution of 1932|the country's first coup in 1932]],<ref name=WaPo12coups/> against the [[Yingluck cabinet|caretaker government]] of [[Thailand]], following [[2013–14 Thai political crisis|six months of political crisis]].<ref name=WaPo12coups>{{cite news|last1=Taylor|first1=Adam|last2=Kaphle|first2=Anup|title=Thailand's army just announced a coup. Here are 11 other Thai coups since 1932.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/05/20/thailands-army-says-this-definitely-isnt-a-coup-heres-11-times-it-definitely-was/|access-date=30 January 2015|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=22 May 2014|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402223448/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/05/20/thailands-army-says-this-definitely-isnt-a-coup-heres-11-times-it-definitely-was/|url-status=live}}</ref> The military established a [[Military junta|junta]] called the [[National Council for Peace and Order]] (NCPO) to govern the nation. The coup ended the political conflict between the military-led regime and democratic power, which had been present since the [[2006 Thai coup d'état]] known as the '"unfinished coup'".{{sfn|Ferrara|2014|ppp= 17 - 4617–46.}} 7Seven years later, it had developed into the [[2020 Thai protests]] to reform the monarchy of Thailand.

After dissolving the government and the [[Senate of Thailand|Senate]], the NCPO vested executive and legislative powers in its leader and ordered the judicial branch to operate under its directives. In addition, it partially repealed the [[2007 Constitutionconstitution of Thailand|2007 constitution]], save the second chapter whichthat concernsconcerned the king,<ref>{{cite web | script-title = th:คสช. ประกาศให้อำนาจนายกฯ เป็นของประยุทธ์ – เลิก รธน. 50 เว้นหมวด 2 วุฒิฯ-ศาล ทำหน้าที่ต่อ | trans-title = NPOMC announces the prime minister powers belong to Prayuth, repeals 2007 charter, except chapter 2 – senate and courts remain in office | url = http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9570000057286 | language = th | date = 22 May 2014 | access-date = 23 May 2014 | work = Manager | archive-date = 18 October 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171018214057/http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9570000057286 | url-status = live }}</ref> declared martial law and curfew nationwide, banned political gatherings, arrested and detained [[politician]]s and anti-coup activists, imposed [[Internet censorship in Thailand|Internet censorship]] and took control of the media.

The NCPO issued an [[2014 interim constitution of Thailand|an interim constitution]] grantingthat granted itself amnesty and sweeping power.<ref>{{cite web | title = Military dominates new Thailand legislature | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28598995 | publisher = BBC | date = 1 August 2014 | access-date = 3 August 2014 | archive-date = 2 August 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140802082155/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28598995 | url-status = live }}</ref> The NCPO also established a military-dominated [[National Assembly of Thailand|national legislature]] which later unanimously elected [[Prayut Chan-o-cha|General Prayut]] as the new [[Prime Minister of Thailand|prime minister]] of the country.<ref>{{cite web | title = Prayuth elected as 29th PM | url = http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayuth-elected-as-29th-PM-30241418.html | work= The Nation | date = 21 August 2014 | access-date = 21 August 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140821200316/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Prayuth-elected-as-29th-PM-30241418.html | archive-date = 21 August 2014}}</ref>

Later that night, the NCPO repealed the 2007 constitution, save the second chapter which deals with the [[Monarchy of Thailand|king]].<ref name="Chambers-2016">{{cite web|last1=Chambers|first1=Paul|title=Under the Boot: Military-Civil Relations in Thailand since the 2014 Coup|url=http://www.cityu.edu.hk/searc/Resources/Paper/16090115_187%20-%20WP%20-%20Dr%20Chambers.pdf|website=City University of Hong Kong|publisher=Southeast Asia Research Centre (SEARC) Working Paper Series No. 187|access-date=17 November 2017|date=15 August 2016|archive-date=6 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306062018/http://www.cityu.edu.hk/searc/Resources/Paper/16090115_187%20-%20WP%20-%20Dr%20Chambers.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{RP|10}} In addition, it formally ordered the dissolution of the caretaker government, but the Senate as well as all other state agencies, including the courts and the [[IndependentConstitutional agenciesorganizations of the Thai governmentThailand|independent organs]], were kept intact.<ref>{{cite web | script-title = th:คสช. ประกาศสิ้นสุด รธน. คงอำนาจ สว. | trans-title = NCPO suspends charter, maintains senate | language = th | date = 22 May 2014 | access-date = 22 May 2014 | work = Post Today | url = http://www.posttoday.com/%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87/296427/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%8A-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A7 | archive-date = 24 October 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141024074043/http://www.posttoday.com/%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87/296427/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%8A-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A7 | url-status = live }}</ref> The NCPO declared its composition as follows:<ref name = "disperse">{{cite web | script-title = th:คสช. ตั้งบิ๊กตู่หัวหน้าคณะ ให้ รธน. สิ้นสุดชั่วคราว ครม. หมดอายุ วุฒิฯ-องค์กรอิสระยังอยู่ | trans-title = Big Tu leads NCPO, charter suspended, cabinet dissolved, senate and independent organs remain in existence | work = Manager | date = 22 May 2014 | access-date = 22 May 2014 | language = th | url = http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9570000057200 | archive-date = 22 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140522161259/http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9570000057200 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The NCPO later summoned another 114 prominent figures from both sides<ref>{{cite web | title = NCPO summons over 100 prominent figures of rival sides | url = http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/NCPO-summons-over-100-prominent-figures-of-rival--30234384.html | work = The Nation | date = 23 May 2014 | access-date = 23 May 2014 | archive-date = 25 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140525195016/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/NCPO-summons-over-100-prominent-figures-of-rival--30234384.html | url-status = live }}</ref> and stated that those who refused to submit to it would be apprehended and prosecuted.<ref>{{cite news | title = Yingluck reports to the generals | date = 23 May 2014 | access-date = 23 May 2014 | work= Bangkok Post | url = http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/411386/former-pm-yingluck-obeys-summons-reports-to-junta-generals }}</ref> Activist [[Sombat Boonngamanong]], better known as Dotty Editor, was the first person who refused to surrender, saying "Hilarious. Not reporting [to the junta] is considered a criminal offense." He challenged the summons with a post on Facebook: "Catch me if you can".<ref>{{cite web | title = Sombat: Catch me if you can | url = http://www.bangkokpost.com/most-recent/411407/activist-sombat-challenges-coup-makers | work= Bangkok Post | date = 23 May 2014 | access-date = 23 May 2014 | first = Aekarach | last = Sattaburuth }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 'Catch me if you can,' Sombat tells coup makers | url = http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Catch-me-if-you-can-Sombat-tells-coup-makers-30234424.html | work = The Nation | date = 23 May 2014 | access-date = 23 May 2014 | archive-date = 24 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140524004307/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Catch-me-if-you-can-Sombat-tells-coup-makers-30234424.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The NCPO responded by stating that on the morning of 24 May, it would send soldiers to apprehend those who failed to appear.<ref>{{cite web | title = คุมยิ่งลักษณ์ไปค่ายอดิศร สระบุรี | url = http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9570000057649 | work = Manager | date = 23 May 2014 | access-date = 23 May 2014 | trans-title = Yingluck taken to Adison Camp, Saraburi | archive-date = 24 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140524022605/http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9570000057649 | url-status = live }}</ref> One of those apprehended on that day was [[Panthongtae Shinawatra]], a nephew of Yingluck.<ref>{{cite web | title = Junta continues Thaksin purge | url = http://www.bangkokpost.com/most-recent/411585/junta-continues-thaksin-purge | date = 24 May 2014 | access-date = 24 May 2014 | work= Bangkok Post }}</ref> Sombat was eventually apprehended on 5 June 2014 in [[Chon Buri Province]]. The military tracked him down through the Internet, using the IP address he used to post his comments.<ref name = "taunting">{{cite web | title = Thai police arrest 'taunting' anti-coup activist | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27727510 | date = 6 June 2014 | access-date = 7 June 2014 | publisher = BBC | archive-date = 7 June 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140607045820/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27727510 | url-status = live }}</ref> In addition to two years in jail for violating its orders, the military said Sombat will face seven years of imprisonment on grounds of encouraging people to violate its orders, which are the "law of the nation". The military also said that those who provided refuge to Sombat were to be dealt with by two years in jail on account of "harbouring a criminal".<ref>{{cite web | script-title = th:บก. ลายจุดเจอคดีหนักโทษสูงถึง 7 ปี คาดโทษให้ที่พักพิง บก. ลายจุดมีโทษ 2 ปี | trans-title = Dotty Editor faces serious charges punishable by seven years in jail, those providing residences to him will be given two years in prison | url = http://www.chaoprayanews.com/2014/06/08/%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%AA/ | language = th | date = 8 June 2014 | access-date = 8 June 2014 | work = Chao Praya News | archive-date = 12 June 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140612011134/http://www.chaoprayanews.com/2014/06/08/%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%94%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%AA/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

The rise of [[fascism]] in Thailand began around the coup, first coinedidentified by James Taylor of University of Adelaide in 2011,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=Jim|title="Fascism" and the Thai state |journal=Prachatai English |date=30 April 2011 |url=https://prachatai.com/english/node/2460 |language=en}}</ref> after the [[National Council for Peace and Order|junta]] took control, academics and political commentators started to identify athis prevalent political systemmovement byas fascism. Pithaya Pookaman and James Taylor called it 'New Right', consisting of ultraconservatives, reactionaries, semi-fascists, pseudo-intellectuals and former leftists.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pookaman |first1=Pithaya |title=Thailand's emerging 'New Right' seeks to suppress its democracy |journal=South China Morning Post |date=21 May 2019 |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3011079/thailands-emerging-new-right-political-movement-seeks-suppress |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=James |title=Thailand's new right, social cleansing and the continuing military–monarchy entente |journal=Asian Journal of Comparative Politics |date=1 September 2021 |volume=6 |issue=3 |pages=253–273 |doi=10.1177/2057891120980835 |s2cid=234182253 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2057891120980835 |language=en |issn=2057-8911}}</ref> John Draper, an academic and political commentator, noted that the rise of fascism in Thailand began in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Draper |first1=John |title=Steady rise of fascism here is terrifying |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/406983/steady-rise-of-fascism-here-is-terrifying |work=Bangkok Post}}</ref> The King's sufficient economy was mentioned that it serves as one of the ideological foundations of the military regime, and reminiscent of [[Fascism in Europe|fascist regimes in Europe]] in the 1930s.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Schaffar |first1=Wolfram |title=Alternative Development Concepts and Their Political Embedding: The Case of Sufficiency Economy in Thailand |journal=Forum for Development Studies |date=2 September 2018 |volume=45 |issue=3 |pages=387–413 |doi=10.1080/08039410.2018.1464059 |s2cid=159030161 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08039410.2018.1464059|issn=0803-9410}}</ref>

and 150 members from party lists.<ref name="dc16" /> The proposed constitution also allows the NCPO to appoint an eight to ten person panel who will choose Senators,<ref name=":3">{{cite news|title=Politicians have no rights to disagree with me: Thai junta leader|url=http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6031|access-date=11 April 2016|work=Prachatai English|date=2016-04-11}}</ref> to include six seats reserved for the heads of the [[Royal Thai Army]], [[Royal Thai Navy|Navy]], [[Royal Thai Air Force|Air Force]], and [[Royal Thai Police|Police]], plus the military's supreme commander, and defense permanent secretary. The bicameral Parliament could also select a candidate as [[Prime Minister of Thailand|Prime Minister]] who is not one of its members or even a politician. That person could become Prime Minister if the appointed Senate approves. Some suspect that with the new constitution the military seeks to hobble political parties in order to create disposable coalition governments. The military would then remainretain the real power, whatever the outcome of the referendum and the election.<ref name="ST-20160404" />

* {{Flag|Indonesia}} – In a statement issued by Foreign Minister [[Marty Natalegawa]], Indonesia "calls upon the Armed Forces of Thailand and various relevant civilian elements to work together in a reconciliatory atmosphere to quickly restore the political situation in Thailand". He also states that Indonesia will communicate with Myanmar, which is ASEAN chairperson for 2014 to "mobilize ASEAN’sASEAN's contribution in establishing a condition conducive for the restoration of political condition in Thailand".<ref>{{cite web|title=Indonesia Calls For Restoration of Political Situation in Thailand|url=http://www.kemlu.go.id/Documents/Kudeta%20Thailand/Siaran%20Pers%20Kudeta%20Thailand.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia|access-date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233209/http://www.kemlu.go.id/Documents/Kudeta%20Thailand/Siaran%20Pers%20Kudeta%20Thailand.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* {{Flag|Japan}} – [[Fumio Kishida]], the [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs]], issued a statement calling for the rapid restoration of democracy in Thailand.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kishida|first=Fumio|title=タイにおける政変について（外務大臣談話）|trans-title=Statement by Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the coup d’Étatd'État in Thailand|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/danwa/page4_000480.html|publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]|access-date=23 May 2014|author-link=Fumio Kishida|language=ja|date=22 May 2014|archive-date=24 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524004300/http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/danwa/page4_000480.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

* {{cite webnews |first=Vitit |last=Muntarbhorn |title=Lessons of 'Black May' 1992 and the 2006 coup |newspaper=Bangkok Post |date=23 May 2014 |url=http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/411309/lessons-of-black-may-1992-and-the-2006-coup}}