Council for National Security
The Council for National Security (CNS) was a military junta that seized power in Thailand on 19 September 2006 through a coup d'état, ousting elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and abrogating the 1997 constitution.[1] Initially named the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy, it adopted the CNS title on 1 October 2006 while declaring martial law, dissolving parliament and the Constitutional Court, and assuming supreme executive, legislative, and judicial powers.[2] Led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the first Muslim commander of the Royal Thai Army, the CNS appointed retired General Surayud Chulanont as interim prime minister and tasked him with combating corruption and reforming governance amid allegations of Thaksin's abuse of power and electoral irregularities.[3] The junta's tenure, lasting until its effective dissolution following the December 2007 elections, focused on restoring institutional stability, drafting a new constitution via referendum, and addressing southern insurgency and economic grievances exacerbated under Thaksin's populist rule, though it drew international criticism for suspending democratic processes and enabling military oversight of civilian affairs.[1][4] Key actions included establishing an Assets Examination Committee to probe Thaksin's wealth and enacting an interim constitution that curtailed certain civil liberties, reflecting the military's prioritization of monarchical loyalty and national unity over immediate electoral restoration.[5] Controversies persisted over censorship of media, lèse-majesté enforcement, and the junta's retention of veto powers over cabinet appointments, underscoring tensions between short-term order and long-term democratic erosion.[1]Historical Context
Political Instability and Corruption under Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra, serving as Prime Minister of Thailand from February 2001 to September 2006, implemented populist policies that boosted economic growth and rural support but increasingly drew accusations of corruption and authoritarian governance. His administration faced allegations of cronyism, including favoritism toward family-owned Shin Corporation, which expanded significantly during his tenure through government contracts and regulatory leniency. In January 2006, Thaksin's family sold a 49.6% stake in Shin Corporation to Singapore's Temasek Holdings for approximately $1.9 billion in a tax-exempt deal under a special provision, sparking widespread controversy over conflicts of interest and evasion of capital gains taxes estimated at $1.8 billion.[6][7] Corruption probes intensified post-ouster, with courts convicting Thaksin in absentia for abusing power, such as in a 2003 land purchase where his wife participated in bidding for state-owned property at a discounted rate, violating conflict-of-interest laws.[8] In 2010, Thailand's Supreme Court ruled Thaksin guilty in four of five "policy corruption" cases, ordering the seizure of nearly $1.6 billion in assets for directing state policies to benefit his interests.[9] These rulings highlighted systemic nepotism, including appointments of relatives to key positions and alleged insider trading in Shin Corporation shares ahead of regulatory approvals.[10] Thaksin's 2003 "war on drugs" exacerbated perceptions of instability through extrajudicial violence, with official figures reporting 2,274 deaths by May 2003, many attributed to police or vigilante actions without due process; human rights groups estimated over 2,500 killings, including innocents blacklisted as suspects.[11][12] Thaksin defended the campaign, denying state involvement in summary executions and claiming most deaths were from criminal infighting, though parliamentary inquiries later confirmed widespread abuses.[13] Media censorship and lese-majeste prosecutions further alienated urban elites and intellectuals, fostering accusations of eroding democratic checks. By late 2005, opposition coalesced into mass protests led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), drawing tens of thousands to Bangkok streets against Thaksin's perceived dictatorship and electoral dominance via the Thai Rak Thai party, which secured supermajorities in 2001 and 2005 elections amid vote-buying claims.[14] PAD rallies peaked in February 2006 following the Shin sale revelation, with demonstrators occupying government sites and demanding Thaksin's resignation; a snap April 2006 election, boycotted by opponents, was annulled by the courts for irregularities, deepening the deadlock.[15] This polarization, combining elite backlash against populist centralization with institutional erosion, culminated in acute governance paralysis by mid-2006.[16]The September 2006 Coup d'État
On September 19, 2006, the Royal Thai Army executed a bloodless coup d'état against the caretaker government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.[17] [18] The operation, commanded by Army Chief of Staff General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, involved deploying approximately 300 tanks and armored vehicles to surround key government sites in Bangkok, including the Government House, Parliament, and Supreme Court, without reported casualties or resistance.[19] [20] The coup leaders immediately declared martial law across the country, dissolved both houses of Parliament, abrogated the 1997 Constitution, and dismissed the Cabinet, citing Thaksin's alleged corruption, abuse of power, and erosion of democratic institutions as justifications for intervention.[21] [22] General Sonthi announced the formation of the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDR) as the provisional ruling authority, pledging to safeguard the monarchy, restore order, and prepare for future elections under a revised constitution.[23] The CDR sought and received tacit endorsement from King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as evidenced by a televised ceremony where General Sonthi paid respects before a royal shrine.[24] Thaksin responded by declaring a state of emergency and attempting to dismiss General Sonthi, but these orders were ignored as military units secured communication centers and airports to prevent counteractions.[20] Within days, the CDR appointed retired General Surayud Chulanont as interim prime minister and began censoring media outlets critical of the coup while assuring international observers of a swift return to civilian rule.[2] On October 1, 2006, the CDR was restructured and renamed the Council for National Security (CNS), which promulgated an interim constitution granting it executive, legislative, and judiciary oversight powers until a new charter could be drafted.[2] [25] The CNS committed to anti-corruption reforms and military restructuring, though critics, including human rights organizations, highlighted risks to democratic norms and potential suppression of dissent.[25]Organizational Structure and Leadership
Composition and Key Members
The Council for National Security (CNS) was primarily composed of high-ranking officers from the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Royal Thai Police, reflecting its origins as a military junta following the September 19, 2006, coup d'état.[26] Initially announced as the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) on the day of the coup, its core structure featured a president and three deputy chiefs drawn from the army, navy, air force, and police command.[26] This composition ensured unified control over Thailand's security apparatus during the transitional period.[27] Key leadership positions were as follows:| Position | Name | Branch/Service |
|---|---|---|
| President | General Sonthi Boonyaratglin | Royal Thai Army |
| First Deputy Chief | Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanon | Royal Thai Navy |
| Second Deputy Chief | Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk | Royal Thai Air Force |
| Third Deputy Chief | General Ruangroj Mahathanin | Royal Thai Police |