Word: junta
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Protests against Thailand's ruling junta spilled onto Bangkok streets over the weekend, with an estimated 13,000 demonstrators calling for the resignation of the military leaders who masterminded a bloodless coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last September. The marches were the largest show of dissatisfaction to date against coup architect Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin and junta-appointed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. While the bulk of the protesters came from within Thaksin's followers, they also included a wide range of other interest groups, a worrisome sign for a government already under scrutiny from overseas investors and businessmen worried about...
...mounting body count in the south dashes hopes that last September's military coup might ease the crisis, because junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is a Muslim. Since the putsch, violence has worsened. On June 4, insurgents were blamed for a train derailment that caused the entire railway network in the south to grind to a halt. With no end in sight to the conflict, Thailand's government will have to work even harder to keep the violence from distracting the tourist trade...
...Thailand's ruling military junta has promised fresh elections by the end of this year. But TRT, a party that made history by capturing the biggest-ever mandate in a Thai election, will not appear on the ballot. Although lower-level TRT figures are free to form a new party, TRT's leadership coterie appears to have been sidelined from politics by the five-year ban. Even before Wednesday's ruling, Thaksin, from his overseas exile, had vowed to quit politics. Many Thais, however, believed he might attempt a political comeback. Last month, the former Prime Minister was awarded...
...Anticipating possibly violent demonstrations following a guilty verdict against TRT, the military junta had ramped up security on Wednesday, putting 10,000-plus soldiers and police on alert. Earlier in the week, websites loyal to Thaksin were shut down by Thailand's Ministry of Information and Communications Technology. In addition, many pro-TRT radio stations have been barred from the airwaves. On Wednesday, several schools in Bangkok were shuttered for fear of bloodshed on the streets...
...Taking stock of the new mood, General Sonthi announced after the protests that he didn't mind if Buddhism was added to the constitution, so long as the move promoted peace in Thailand. Other junta members said they would not stand in the way of a state religion. The lack of government opposition is likely a sign of a weakened leadership aiming to please the public, rather than a reflection of personal zealotry...