Thailand Under Martial Law: What This Means, What's Next, How It Affects Malaysia

The Thai army declared martial law throughout the country Tuesday in a surprise move that an aide to the embattled Prime Minister said the government didn't know about beforehand. "They took this action unilaterally. The government is having a special meeting regarding this. We have to watch and see if the army chief honors his declaration of impartiality," the aide said, describing the situation as "half a coup d'etat."

"The Army aims to maintain peace, order and public safety for all groups and all parties," a ticker running on the army's television channel said. "People are urged not to panic, and can carry on their business as usual. Declaring martial law is not a coup d'etat." Martial law went into effect at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, the ticker said.

wsj.com

All Thai TV stations are being guarded by the military, Thai public television announced, showing pictures of soldiers and armored vehicles taking positions outside broadcast facilities in the country's capital. In a statement read on Thai television, the military declared that all of the country's radio and television stations must suspend their normal programs "when it is needed."

The dramatic announcements come days after the head of the army issued a stern warning after political violence had surged in the country's capital. Political tensions have been running high in Thailand. Supporters and opponents of the country's government have staged mass protests in recent days, and earlier this month a top court removed caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office, along with nine cabinet ministers.

freepressjournal.in

Within hours of declaring martial law, Gen. Prayuth announced he would be leading a new security task force, the Peace Keeping Command Center (PKCC). The task force's advisory committee also includes chiefs of the navy, air force and national police, he said.

Soldiers were dispatched to stand guard at television stations. Broadcasters, including 10 satellite TV stations, were ordered to shut down "to ensure that information will be distributed rightly and to prevent any distortions which could lead to misunderstandings and it could lead to wide spread conflicts."

Images posted on social media showed soldiers patrolling the streets of Bangkok. Paul Quaglia, director at PQA Associates told CNN they were positioned at intersections but so far there was no sign of unrest. "Traffic is a real mess here at the moment. But there's no violence. I think what the military is trying to do with this 'martial law light,' if I can say that, is to convince protesters to go home. They're trying to dial down the tensions here as well as preempt several large rallies and strikes that were scheduled for later this week," he said.

euronews.com

Thailand's Martial Law Act Of 1914 gives the army chief control without PM's assent and grants the military full powers to: Summon officials and individuals for investigation, Search and seize individuals or items, Order compulsory military service and forced labour, Prohibit assemblies, media coverage, advertising, public transport, Destroy "enemy" dwellings and build army barracks anywhere.

bbc.com

Some Thais were seen taking pictures of themselves posed against soldiers who were deployed to the capital's posh shopping districts.

Avoiding a full-blown coup could depend largely on Thailand's two main political factions agreeing to an interim solution to the impasse that has persisted for seven months. Neither officials nor the military indicated when or how such negotiations would begin.

bbc.com

Andrew Marshall, a journalist and author who focuses on Thailand, said it would become clearer in the next couple of days what the army's intentions are; whether it's going to call an election or appoint a new government. "If they appoint a government it's a coup by another name and you might see the start of violence from the red shirts," he said.

"Martial law means the police are sidelined and they are no longer responsible for security. And the police in Thailand are seen as heavily supportive of Thaksin and his allies, which is the red side of the battle. So when you've got a police force that's suddenly been sidelined that's another combustible element in this mix. So Thailand is kind of on a knife-edge," he said.

bbc.com

Gen. Prayuth's move to impose martial law didn't come as a surprise, wrote Saritdet Marukatat, digital editor for the Bangkok Post. The army chief warned last week the military could be forced to act to end violent protests.

"The country was moving towards a possible bloody clash between the two camps, leaving no choice for the army commander but to try to prevent it. As a general, he had only two choices: a military coup or martial law," Marukatat wrote. "He picked the softer option and did as he had promised in last week's statement, that the army does not want a coup because it would meaning tearing down the 2007 constitution."

However, Sunai Phasuk from Human Rights Watch Thailand said the situation in the country had not yet justified the army's intervention. "There is no concrete proof that the situation in Thailand is out of control to the extent that an enforcement of the martial law is essential. With the enforcement of martial law, the army is one step closer to taking over power completely from civilian administration."

"At the moment, military authorities have superior power over civil authority in keeping public order. There is no check and balance; there are no safeguards against rights violations; there are no remedies for any damage cause by the army. The fate of the nation is essentially in Gen. Prayuth's hands," he said.

theguardian.com

Malaysians have been advised to consider postponing non-essential visits to Thailand following the imposition of martial law by the Royal Thai Army. The Foreign Ministry said Malaysians presently in Thailand should remain vigilant and monitor developments via local and international media. It said there were 596 Malaysians residing in Thailand who had registered with the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok.

therakyatpost.com

“There have been no reports of Malaysians who have been adversely affected by the latest development in Thailand,” the ministry said. It said Malaysia hoped that all parties in Thailand continue to work towards finding a peaceful solution to issues facing that country.

Malaysia would continue to monitor closely the political developments in Thailand, it said. Malaysians requiring consular assistance may contact the Malaysian mission in Bangkok at +662 629 6800 (during working hours) or +6687 028 4659 (after working hours).

therakyatpost.com