Last week, the Thai people awake to new government; a military coup overthrew the democratically elected government, claiming that the move was necessary to restore order after months of political instability. The overthrown government was elected three years ago in a landslide victory but now finds itself powerless.
Many Thai people have protested the junta, especially in the capital of Bangkok. However, the military has begun blocking public places where protests might occur. Thailand's deputy national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung announced that even small protests will not be permitted, claiming that they are "against the law." Protestors who do arrive are being detained; at least 70 people are in custody. On Thursday alone, 1,350 soldiers and police officers were deployed to halt any anti-coup demonstrations.
The military is also cracking down on technology access to its citizens. New channels such as CNN and BBC have been blocked and internal news outlets are censoring themselves in fear of being shut down. Facebook in Thailand was partially shut down on Wednesday, but the military government claims to have no role in that. However, many websites deemed threatening to the coup are being blocked.
The junta government has plans to hold elections but provided no clues to when that would take place. The United States, an ally to Thailand, responded that there was no reason to delay the elections. Military rule is nothing new to the Thai people. In 2006, another military takeover abolished the democracy, waiting over one year to hold elections.
