As the reinstated parliament brings Nepali Army into civilian control, leaders of various political parties have condemned the “bloodless coup” engineered by the Thai Army in Thailand and have said there was a need to remain cautious.

Photo courtesy: BBC
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala condemned the military coup in Thailand and termed it as “unfortunate.”

Talking to reporters at his official residence on Wednesday morning, premier Koirala said Nepal would never face such fate hereafter.

“Since there is huge difference in the political situation in Nepal and Thailand, military coup in Nepal is impossible,” Koirala asserted. He said the recent jana andolan had curtailed royal powers and made Nepali people sovereign, that was not the case in Thailand.

Major political parties in the country have also condemned military coup against an elected government in Thailand. Talking to Nepalnews, Bamdev Gautam, standing committee member of the CPN UML—a major constituent in the ruling Seven Party Alliance–said that all should oppose the move of seizing people’s power through the use of army.

Condemning the “bloodless coup,” Gautam said democratic forces in Nepal should learn a lesson from the coup.

“Though the people have defeated active monarchy through Jana Andolan (People’s movement) II, democratic forces should be cautious since regressive forces could try to take benefit out of the fluid situation in the country,” he added.

Similarly, central committee member of the CPN (Maoist), Suresh Ale Magar, said the coup was against the aspirations of Thai people.

“Though it is the result of the deeds of the Thai Prime Minister against the people, the move is also not in favour of Thai people,” said Ale Magar adding, ” Reactionary armies across the world engage in such acts from time to time.”

Referring to Nepal’s situation, Alemagar said, there was no possibility of a coup in Nepal as the Nepali people were more aware. He however cautioned that some regressive forces might try to take benefit out of the situation, but it is not possible.

Thai Army

Photo courtesy: BBC
King Gyanendra, on February 1, 2005 took powers into his hands by sacking an elected Prime Minister and put various restrictions on civil liberties. He was forced to give up absolute powers in April this year in the aftermath of nationwide people’s peaceful movement that ran for several weeks.

The Thai coup has taken place at a time when top brass of the Nepali Army has reiterated its allegiance to civil liberties and multiparty democracy in the country. Addressing the entire rank and file of the Nepali Army amidst a pre-scheduled ceremony at the military headquarters in Kathmandu on Wednesday, Chief of Army Staff of Nepali Army General Rukmangad Katawal directed all the soldiers in the army to obey the principle of “civil supremacy” on security organs.

On late Tuesday, chief of the Thai Army, Sondhi Boonyarataklin, staged a coup against the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra, who was in the US to attend the UN general assembly. He assumed premier’s duties declaring allegiance to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

A military spokesman announced on Thai TV that the armed forces, under the command of 59-year-old Army chief had taken over Bangkok and surrounding areas. The Army also imposed martial law. Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a constitutional monarch, was reaffirmed as head of state, while the spokesman promised that a new caretaker Prime Minister would be named soon.