23 February 1991

Generals seize total power

Supreme Commander Gen Sunthorn Kongsompong, supported by army chief Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon and the other armed forces chiefs, wrested power from the Chatichai Choonhavan government in a swift and bloodless takeover.

Both the Parliament and the constitution were dissolved, and the country placed under martial law. While the international community was shocked, the leaders of the coup said it was necessary because the Chatichai administration was corrupt and no longer represented the Thai people. Former Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan was detained by the air force, along with former deputy prime minister and deputy defence minister designate Gen Arthit Kamlang-ek.

Chatichai and his entourage had been on board an air force plane around noon—en route to Chiang Mai where they were scheduled to attend a swearing-in ceremony for Gen Arthit before King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Phuping Palace—when they were detained by plain-clothes air force security guards.

‘The National Peace Keeping Council is sure that there will be no opposition to the takeover, since the cavalry has now been ordered confined to barracks,’ one source said.

23 February 1991

Generals seize total power

Supreme Commander Gen Sunthorn Kongsompong, supported by army chief Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon and the other armed forces chiefs, wrested power from the Chatichai Choonhavan government in a swift and bloodless takeover.

Both the Parliament and the constitution were dissolved, and the country placed under martial law. While the international community was shocked, the leaders of the coup said it was necessary because the Chatichai administration was corrupt and no longer represented the Thai people. Former Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan was detained by the air force, along with former deputy prime minister and deputy defence minister designate Gen Arthit Kamlang-ek.

Chatichai and his entourage had been on board an air force plane around noon—en route to Chiang Mai where they were scheduled to attend a swearing-in ceremony for Gen Arthit before King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Phuping Palace—when they were detained by plain-clothes air force security guards.

‘The National Peace Keeping Council is sure that there will be no opposition to the takeover, since the cavalry has now been ordered confined to barracks,’ one source said.