Military coup in Thailand: Nighttime curfew • Chabad emissary: ​​"Everything is fine""

May 22, 2014   

General Prayut Chao Ocha, who serves as the commander-in-chief of the Thai army, announced a military coup in the country this morning (Thursday). The coup means that the government is under military rule, as according to Thai law, the military is responsible for maintaining order in the country in times of crisis. General Prayut called on all citizens to continue with their daily lives, and called on foreign citizens "not to panic." According to him, the coup was only intended to "establish order in the country and establish reforms.". Despite the natural anxiety among Israeli parents traveling there, Chabad emissary in Thailand, Rabbi Nehemiah Wilhelm, insists that it is not really dangerous.

""Call home, reassure your parents that everything is fine," was what appeared on the computers at the Chabad house for Israeli travelers staying there. Rabbi Wilhelm told Yisrael Hayom's emissary Boaz Bismuth that "in Israel, as in other countries in the world, you hear about martial law and immediately imagine a revolution and tanks in the streets, but there is no need to panic unnecessarily.".

He explains that it is unclear whether anything will happen in Thailand, and even if it does, it is unlikely that it will harm Israeli tourists, but 'it is always good to be careful.'.

In the evening, the Thai army declared a night curfew from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

Don't really like the army.

For many years, two camps have been fighting in Bangkok: the "yellow" democrats, the side that opposes the elections, and the "red", the side that believes in the elections, and declares that power was "stolen" from the weaker class by the liberals, the judges, and now also by the military.

As mentioned, the military's takeover of the streets is anchored in Thai law, according to which in times of crisis. The army commander is in charge of what is happening in the country. The citizens, it must be said, do not really like military rule, no matter how temporary it may be.

The unrest in Thailand began with the last military intervention in the country, about eight years ago, when the army took to the streets shortly before the ouster of then-Prime Minister, billionaire Thaksin, brother of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra until two weeks ago when she was ousted by the judiciary.

In Amsha, interim Prime Minister Niwathomrong Bunsongphaisan declared his intention to hold the elections on August 3, and the military began to initiate dialogue between the camps.

The only symbol of power left standing in Thailand now is the 'king', but his role, since the 1932 revolution, has been purely representative.