Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Thailand: Martial Law

By Douglas V. Gibbs

As the political unrest has reached heightened levels, Thailand's military has taken control, declaring martial law.

Military control seems to be a recurring occurrence around the world under Obama's soft presidency.

The unrest has become violent, and the military has proclaimed their move was necessary in order to keep the country stable.  The military denied a coup d'etat was underway.

The decision by the military to take control of nationwide public security comes as demonstrations against the current leadership continues to become violent, and the prime minister refuses to step down.

The turmoil follows protests against the government, and a decision to dissolve the lower house of parliament in December in a bid to ease the crisis.

This month, the Constitutional Court ousted the prime minister and nine Cabinet ministers, following accusations of abuse of power.  

Thailand's acting prime minister says his government will not resign, resisting pressure from a group of senators who are seeking ways to settle the country's political crisis, and from anti-government protesters who are demanding an appointed prime minister.

A group of about 70 senators, most of whom are seen as siding with the anti-government protesters, proposed a framework on Friday that calls for a government with full power to conduct political reforms.

The protesters say they are making their final push to oust the government and install an unelected prime minister and government.  28 people have died and hundreds of others have been injured as a result of the demonstrations.

The anti-government protesters, who are aligned with the opposition Democrat Party and backed by the country's traditional elites, say they want to remove all traces of his political machine from politics.  Of course, once the system completes its transition, another oligarchy will be waiting in the wings.  The statists will not be gone, they will just change what the packaging looks like.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Thailand army declares martial law - Yahoo News/Associated Press

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