This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.
Thai military leaders say their seizure of power Tuesday was necessary to
unite a nation divided by months of political tension. 80 percent of Thais
in a public opinion study approved of the ouster of Thaksin Shinawatra after
five years as prime minister.
But some Thais are concerned about the military's return to power in a nation
that has grown deeply involved in the world economy.
About 100 protesters gathered in Bangkok Friday. Many carried signs and
denounced the overthrow as
undemocratic. Police took no action, although the ruling generals have banned
public meetings of five or more people. They have also banned political
activities and placed restrictions on the media.
The generals have promised to appoint a civilian as temporary prime minister
within two weeks, and to hold elections in October of next year.
Thailand has had eighteen coups or coup attempts
since 1932. That year, King Prajadhipok signed the first constitution for the
nation then called Siam. He did so after government workers and military
officers led a peaceful coup to demand a constitution.
The military last seized power in 1991. General Suchinda Kraprayoon overthrew
an elected civilian government. The next year, he was ousted following street
demonstrations. Since then, democracy has increased and the military's influence
in politics has decreased -- until this week.
The army, led by General Sondhi Boonyaratglin, took power peacefully. Mister
Thaksin was in New York for a United Nations meeting. General Sondhi received a
statement of support from King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The military has been holding allies of Mr. Thaksin, and on Friday appointed
a group to gather evidence of wrongdoing by his administration.
Mr. Thaksin became one of Thailand's richest people as a businessman in
technology. Yet the poor were among his strongest supporters. Many others called
him dishonest and hungry for power.
Also, Thailand is facing a violent rebellion in Muslim-majority provinces in
the south. Mr. Thaksin appointed General Sondhi, himself a Muslim, as army chief
last year. The general thought the prime minister was dealing too aggressively
with the rebels.
Mr. Thaksin, in his first public statement after his ouster, said in London
that he wanted to take a rest from politics.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer called the overthrow
unacceptable. The Japanese government called it regrettable. And Malaysian Prime
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he was shocked by the events.
The United States criticized the overthrow as unjustified and said it was
re-examining aid to Thailand. Thailand is a close ally, but United States laws
require such action when a military overthrows civilian elected leaders. State
Department officials called the military coup a step backward for democracy in
Thailand.
IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English was written by Brianna Blake. I'm Steve
Ember.
overthrow :to bring about the downfall or
destruction of, especially by force or concerted action（推翻；顛覆）
（來源：VOA 英語點津姍姍編輯）
