The United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and the United Nations all condemned the military coup in Thailand.
Reuters reported that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had said on Thursday (May 22) that he was “seriously concerned” by the military takeover in Thailand.
In a statement, read by his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, Ban appealed “for a prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule and an all-inclusive dialogue that will pave the way for long-term peace and prosperity in Thailand.”
Thailand’s army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha seized control of the government in a coup on Thursday, two days after he declared martial law, saying the military had to restore order and push through reforms after six months of turmoil.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department also said on Thursday (May 22) it was reviewing its military assistance and engagements with Thailand after that country’s army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha seized control of the government in a coup.
U.S. officials say the review includes looking at an ongoing exercise in Thailand involving about 700 U.S. Marines and sailors.
Japan on Friday (May 23) called for the rapid restoration of democracy in Thailand, a day after the military took over the nation in a coup.
“I think we need to keep a close watch on the situation first as the coup was just announced yesterday. Obviously the coup is a very regrettable situation to happen in Thailand, and we hope the democracy would be restored in the country as quickly as possible,” the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in a regular news conference.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Friday (May 23) called on Australians in Thailand to “exercise a high degree of caution” following the military coup.
Bishop said Australia was monitoring the situation closely.
“We urge Australians to exercise a very high degree of caution. Be very careful about their personal security and safety and given the volatile political situation to avoid political demonstrations or sites where demonstrations have taken place in the past. We know that the military is out and about, there is a curfew, but we do urge people not to go to the protest sites,” Bishop told Nine Network’s Today Programme.
Bishop said she was “gravely concerned” and had asked the Thai authorities for the reason for what she called this “regrettable development”, Australian media reports said.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has updated the advice on its website, advising travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution” for Thailand as a whole and said “do not travel” to Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.
Ambassadors from various countries met Thai military officials also on Friday (May 23) to be briefed on the coup
The ambassadors were some of many people who met military officials on Friday to be apprised of the situation.
Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her associates met Prayuth at the Army Clubearlier in the day. She and 154 others were told they were banned from leaving the country.
Military sources said after the talks she and her ministers were moved from the facility to an undisclosed location.
The military has censored the media, dispersed rival protesters in Bangkok and imposed an nationwide 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.
Prayuth has said reforms were needed before an election can be held and enlisting the help of the civil service.
Early on Friday, soldiers forced protesters and government supporters to leave the protest sites which they have been occupying for months.
By late Friday, most had left and soldiers were dismantling their tents and freeing up the public space.
Thailand’s armed forces have a long history of intervening in politics – there have been 18 previous successful or attempted coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. (from various reports from Reuters)
