As a response to the 19 September military coup which grabbed power from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai civil society organisations have openly expressed their disagreement with the army maneuver, urging the Democratic Reform Council to restore the democratic process of the people's will.As a response to the 19 September military coup which grabbed power from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai civil society organizations have openly expressed their disagreement with the army maneuver, urging the Democratic Reform Council to restore the democratic process of the people’s will.

Union for Civil Liberty (UCL), Campaign for Human Rights (CHR), Working Group on Justice for Peace , Coordinating Committee of Human Rights Organizations of Thailand (CCHROT), Peace and Information Center, and Human Rights and Development Foundation have signed a statement on 20 September 2006, urging the following:

• Set up an Interim Government that consists of well respected and accepted by people with honors immediately.
• Restore the principle of Thai Constitution 1997 especially human rights principle in order to declare as a temporary Constitution in order to arrange a national election promptly.
• Guarantee freedom of expression and media freedom
• Set up a political reform council that consists of all sectors in our society and open for people participation widely.
• Immediately conduct enquiry and investigation on former Prime Minister and politician of the former government according to rule of law in the case of corruption and misappropriated conduct.

A membership-based regional network based in Bangkok, calling themselves the Young Progressive Southeast Asia said the power grab by the Army Chief was “ a step backward” to democracy.

In a statement issued yesterday, they called for a thorough accounting and resolution of very serious corruption issues under the Thaksin government.

“Never must we allow small groups of armed men to take over our democratic spaces, no matter how small, under the guise of benevolent stewardship,” the statement said.

“Our solidarity extends to genuine collective action that will be led by the people of Thailand towards a peaceful, democratic and just resolution of any and all political conflict,” they said.

This group want elections immediately and appealed to young people in the region to make people-centered democracy a reality in Southeast Asia!

Meanwhile, the Council has banned political gatherings of five or more people, imposing a jail term of up to six months or a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both. "The Nation" reports the arrest of democracy activists on 20 September who were demonstrating against the coup. Those arrested include former members of Parliament Chalard Vorachat and Thawee Kraikupt.

In response, the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA), with its office in Bangkok, said two days into the peaceful military takeover in Thailand, freedom of expression and the media is under threat as the interim Administrative Reform Council moves to isolate deposed caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and clamps down on expressions against the coup.

SEAPA added foreign and local journalists still enjoy unrestricted movement, and the Internet seems to be left untouched by the military.

“However, local English broadsheet "The Nation" reports that the Council on 20 September empowered the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to censor reports that are deemed conflicting to its interests”.