Thailand martial law: A cheat sheet to get you up to speed

May 21, 2014

Ratibada arises . Violence flares . The soldiers Were trying to calm things , but They 're not accepted , in the clutch.
Today , the army and the country 's embattled prime minister , Declared martial law in a surprising move , without Informing the Thailand situation . But we are going through political turmoil , the military leaders of the other country clubs in the same sort of explanation 've heard a few times recently.
The Deja Vu, a military coup Style? Car of the situation in Thailand ? Who is in charge ? What would happen next ? And Why Should you be paying attention ?
Here's CNN ' s report on the country 's fast -moving crises , understanding the Cheat Sheet Guide:
This is a coup ?
That depends on who you ask.
At dawn on Tuesday , Thai TV network formation running and gun toting, Showed soldiers , armed and at the ready . Do not panic : the key messages They broadcast a statement from the military leaders . This is not a coup . But we 're in charge now - At least when it comes to national security .
Apparently , the news was That the country ' s embattled prime minister played .
"They took this action unilaterally , " the prime minister Described the situation as an aide , Told CNN, "half -coup . "
Human Rights Watch Declared martial law " Effectively a coup Threatens the rights of all Thais . " Said Tuesday That
The law contains restrictions on the protesters can gather , the air TV and Radio broadcasters and social media posts , can ACCORDING to the Bangkok Post.
Several Analysts Told CNN it is not a coup - yet.
Acting Prime Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan Government Remains intact , his chief security advisor .
"Everything is Normal , " Paradorn Pattanatabu "the military is responsible for all issues of national security . " Said the Thai public broadcaster MCOT
This sounds familiar. How is it Compared to what we 've seen in other countries country ?
Around the world , we 've heard a lot recently about the coup .
Libya , the troops of the armed forces of a renegade rallying behind the growth of the ordinary home is not something to worry acerca is not arguing that. They conceded That includes some of the Libyan soldiers - but the Libyan government in Tripoli ' s military command and retired General Khalifa Haftar last week ' s deadly attacks against the Islamic militants to order, and the operations que no , saying That amounted to a coup Reacted with alarm to the.
In February, the president of Ukraine ' s Parliament vote to oust him and hold new elections , When They Were to follow the will of the people, When a coup , it was Claimed That forced him from office .
Egypt ' s President Mohamed Morsy of a military coup ousted from office last year , and the Ability to set-up an interim leader . For a coup ousted Whether the discussion was to use an Appropriate term surged after me .
Remain allied to the government and the military at the moment , in Thailand , it seems.
They are Military OFFICIALS say Closely monitoring the world ' s some of the key things about the announcement:
- Military leaders said temporary martial law , but They have not said When will it end .
- They discuss goals and for Their Tensions easing , bringing together the rival parties have said .
- And They did not name a new government.
Wakes up military rule in Thailand : what it means
How did things get to this point ?
Political Tensions in a large swath of the population wants to see changes in leadership , but They do not trust the government to guarantee That They 're not free and fair , as Opposed to the elections That are running so high in Thailand .
Those so- called yellow shirts predominately urban , middle -class supporters of the royalist establishment is. For the month of February in the country 's capital city and boycott the elections are staging mass protests .
Government backing , many of Whom hail from the country 's rural north and north- east of the so- called red shirt is.
Two groups Tensions simmering boiling over into violent clashes protesters and government forces Between , With the country over the years has-been at the center of the political divide .
Thai Constitutional Court ruled That I was guilty of Violating the constitution , the interim government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was removed from the edge of the latest , This Month occurred .
Pro -government red shirt is a "judicial coup " against Peak Gust Their side saw the ouster of the country 's Institutions are Considered by many to Have Been a bias .
Gunmen force to move the situation will calm down , prompting a warning from the army , the camp opened fire on a protest last week When three anti -government protesters Were killed and 23 others injured .
Later That Day , a meeting of anti -government protesters to flee the violence in the country 's interim Prime Minister, on the basis of an Air Force compound stormed .
What's Next?
Thailand 's army chief , General Prayuth Chan - The Twins ' next step in bringing the "rival parties to talk peace . "
But sitting on the opposing party and Whether there is any interest in talking to each other is not clear .
What happens , Analysts say , the military , and Within a few days , Depending on how you Respond to the protesters .
Thitinan Pongsudhirak , Bangkok, Chulalongkorn University political science professor who Described the situation as "very volatile . "
"It is now time for the military in a precarious , " I said . "They will Have to be evenhanded . "
"It is being seen as Favoring one side or the other side , We Could see the turmoil and violence against the military . "
Something like this has ever happened before in Thailand ?
No stranger to the military coup in Thailand .
There Have Been Attempted military coup 18 in 80 years ; 11 Have Been successful.
The military then sent tanks onto the streets before ousting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last one was in 2006.
But times Have Changed , Paul Quaglia , a 20 -year veteran of the CIA ' s director of risk assessment firm PQA Associates.
" They really are staging a coup in 2014 , now out of business , " I said . " That is , They take the opposing camp , and one or other of martial law if it does not continue to defy the Might of the day to take more assertive action. "
Soldiers , and Military Law selfies
Why should I care ?
Thailand 's political unrest that Could Affect the country 's boundaries . Thailand 's economy in the months prior to the protests and the police are looking for the strike has run the risk of making less attractive to investors and the government , Analysts say.
"Definitely a reputation for perpetual political unrest in Thailand 's Competitiveness and attractiveness to foreign investment in the future will be hurt , " Center for Strategic and International Studies said the political crises at a December analysis.
" Known as the " Detroit of the East , ' Thailand Hard Disk Drive and automobiles for the Japanese and Western FIRMS has risen to Become a vital hub for manufacturing and assembly, " said the analysis.
A recent report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service in turmoil , "a partner , and the Ability to be a regional leader , as the uncertain reliability of Bangkok. " Says the
" A stable Thailand Because of its status as a U.S. treaty ally and as an anchor For Both Southeast mainland Asia, is Strategically important to the United States, " the report said . " U.S. policy is an unraveling of democracy and civil society in Thailand - serious to Respond to Concerns about the military balance are faced With the choice to deal with. "
This week it is Closely Following the development of the State Department and the Thai military has said They expect to keep their word .