Coup in Thailand

From AP-

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- The Thai military launched a coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday night, circling his offices with tanks, seizing control of TV stations and declaring a provisional authority pledging loyalty to the king.

An announcement on Thai television declared that a "Council of Administrative Reform" with King Bhumibol Adulyadej as head of state had seized power in Bangkok and nearby provinces without any resistance.

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Thaksin, who has faced calls to step down amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power, was in New York at the U.N. General Assembly, and he declared a state of emergency via a government-owned TV station.

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In a vain attempt to stave off the coup, Thaksin in his state-of-emergency declaration from New York had ordered Sondhi to report to Chitchai immediately, effectively dismissing him.

The coup came a day before a major rally - the first in several months - was scheduled to take place in Bangkok by a anti-Thaksin coalition that has been seeking his resignation.

Massive rallies earlier this year forced Thaksin to dissolve Parliament and call an election in April, three years ahead of schedule. The poll was boycotted by opposition parties and later annulled by Thailand's top courts, leaving the country without a working legislature.

TFM follows news out of Asia, Thaksin's political troubles were well known to me. A coup is as anti-dcmocratic as any act a governing body can perform. No one elected these military men, just like similar knuckleheads in nearby Mynamar. So the legitimacy of the military in Bangkok is non-existent and likely to produce more unrest. And the generals are likely to react with strength to any challenges. Its all a self-defeating cycle that doesn't bode well for Thailand till a legitimately elected politician takes over.

Side note- I've been to many parts of Asia(South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Singapore) but have never been to Thailand.

Hat tip- Kim at Wizbang
Linked to- Basil's Blog, Cao's Blog, Adam's Blog,
Update- Bangkok Pundit is live blogging out of Thailand.