Coup d'etat in 2014 & end of protests
Protests, which lasted for about a year, partially ended in May 2014 when military force came into protests as coup d’état. Military and king was on democrat’s side, and on May 7th 2014, Constitutional Court eliminated Prime Minister Yingluck unanimously, and military began to show up its power over country.
Right before coup d'état, commander General Prayuth imposed martial law nationwide from 3AM on May 20th 2014. On May 22th 2014, General announced that armed forces or military were in control of national administration, and all cities in Thailand were covered with soldiers. Also, NCPO was established to rule the state. Many of streets in Bangkok were blocked, and it was hard for citizens to freely move around during coup d'état. As a result, NCPO arrested Thaksin’s family and jailed for more than two years. Martial law was in act for seven days, but NCPO still acts right now.
Anti-coup acts are interesting elements that arose from coup d’etat. Especially, use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Line to claim against military became popular, even though military warned about blocking those claims and protests against coup d’état. Because of anti-coup movement in social media, especially in Facebook, the military blocked Facebook for an hour on May 28th 2014. Also, military declared liking and making sites in social media that are regarding with anti-coup will be seemed as criminal offense.
Coup d’état ended the violence of people around Thailand. Martial law controlled protestors’ violence toward the government, and Thailand became more peaceful afterwards. On the other hand, the lack of freedom of using social media is still present. There’s still “homework” for Thailand government and politics: free social media sites to all people and allow innocent citizens to speak and act.
Right before coup d'état, commander General Prayuth imposed martial law nationwide from 3AM on May 20th 2014. On May 22th 2014, General announced that armed forces or military were in control of national administration, and all cities in Thailand were covered with soldiers. Also, NCPO was established to rule the state. Many of streets in Bangkok were blocked, and it was hard for citizens to freely move around during coup d'état. As a result, NCPO arrested Thaksin’s family and jailed for more than two years. Martial law was in act for seven days, but NCPO still acts right now.
Anti-coup acts are interesting elements that arose from coup d’etat. Especially, use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Line to claim against military became popular, even though military warned about blocking those claims and protests against coup d’état. Because of anti-coup movement in social media, especially in Facebook, the military blocked Facebook for an hour on May 28th 2014. Also, military declared liking and making sites in social media that are regarding with anti-coup will be seemed as criminal offense.
Coup d’état ended the violence of people around Thailand. Martial law controlled protestors’ violence toward the government, and Thailand became more peaceful afterwards. On the other hand, the lack of freedom of using social media is still present. There’s still “homework” for Thailand government and politics: free social media sites to all people and allow innocent citizens to speak and act.