Soldiers armed with M16 rifles stand by as first major anti-coup protest takes place -- despite decree banning gatherings of more than 5 people SIA reports quoting the Anadolu Agency.
Thailand's new leader is seen as a secretive, short-fused officer, whose past has been stained by involvement in the violent repression of anti-government demonstrators in 2010.
Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who named himself post-coup prime minister late Thursday, has frequently shown his disdain for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who anti-democracy protesters see as a major instigator in Thailand's latest political crisis.
Thaksin was overthrown in a coup in September 2006, but his sister, Yingluck, became prime minister in 2011. She was unseated May 7, her replacement Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan overthrown Tuesday after just two weeks in charge in a Chan-ocha-instigated coup.
Chan-ocha also prompted a lese majeste (or offenses against the Thai king or royal family) complaint against prominent opposition lawmaker and Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan in May 2011, that led to him being imprisoned.
The 60-year-old insisted at the time that his motive was to protect the monarchy, not political.
When the constitution was suspended after the coup Thursday, the only clause remaining was that declaring reverence for the monarchy.
Chan-ocha has led two operations to repress demonstrations by pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts" -- in 2009 and 2010.
Bütün xəbərlər Facebook səhifəmizdə
USD
EUR
GBP
RUB