Bangkok is already known for its pink taxi, it may soon also be known for its "Hello Kitty" cops.

Yesterday Chief Officer of the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok as announced that police officers arriving late, parking in a prohibited area, littering among other petty crimes will be forced to stay in the division office and wear a pinky flashy "Hello Kitty" (the Japanese icon of cute) armband all day as a mark of shame.

Police Colonel Pongpat Chayapan said the idea is part of zero tolerance anti-crime initiatives theory which argues that getting tough on petty crime leads to a reduction in more serious offences.

However, "Hello Kitty officers" will not wear the armband in public. Should the public visit police offices instead to make sure this new guidelines is enforced ? 

photo: AP 

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Sept 19
8.00 am Thaksin Shinawatra calls an urgent teleconference with all armed forces' commanders at Government House, but none attends. Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkarin, the army chief, later says the meeting is hastily called. Rumor then spread around the capital and the stock market that a coup de tat is under way.

12.00 am After finishing the webcamera teleconference with Thaksin, who is New York, several Cabinet members check with reporters if there would really be a coup.

6.30 pm The Army's special forces from Lopburi move into Bangkok. Gen Prem Tinnasulalonda, president of Privy Council, has an audience with HM the King, reportedly on a meritmaking ceremony for ML Bau Kittiyakala.

6.55 pm Thai News Agency reports that Thaksin will return to Bangkok on Thursday, instead of Friday.

8.00 pm 191 police receive M16 rifles to prepare for an antiriot assignment.

9.00 pm The Army'[s special forces from Lopburi arrive at the Army's Bangkok headquarters. Web surfers post messages on Pantip.com asking if there is a coup de tat.

9.10 pm The armyowned TV Channel 5's mobile TV broadcast unit arrives at the Army's Bangkok headquarters.

9.30 pm TV channel 5 cancels regular programming and puts on air royallyauthored songs. Reporters at Government House say situation is normal, but rumour was rife that deputy premier Pol Gen Chidchai Vanasatit and defence minister Gen Thammarak Isarangkun have been under custody. Panthongthae, Thaksin's son, reportedly has left Thailand for the UK.

9.40 pm Police commandos arrive Baan Chansongra, Thaksin's residence

10.00 pm Army tanks take position at Bangkok Makkawan Rangsan Bridge and Rajdamnern Avenue.

10.10 pm CNN reports Bangkok situation

10.20pm Thaksin declares a state of emergency via the phone from New York. He also issues two orders, transferring en Sondhi from the post of army chief to the PM's Office, and naming Gen Rungroj Mahasaranond as the officer in charge of the crisis.

11pm "The Administrative Reform Council" (ARC) issues a first statement on TV network, saying the armed forces and national police have peacefully seized control of Bangkok and surrounding areas. Soldier seize the Shinawatra Building, iTV television stationand Thaksin's residence.

11.15pm Soldiers put steel barricades at Sri Ayudha and Rajdamnoen Roads
11.50pm ARC issues the second statement explaining the reasons for the coup d'etat, citing national disunity and rampant corruption. ARC says it plans to return power quickly to the people

12.39am ARC issues third statement, nullifying the constitution, the caretaker Cabinet and the Constitutional Court.

Chronology continues on Nation Website 

 

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Went around Sukhumvit business district (BTS Nana area) to see by myself what is the current situation. 

Frankly speaking, at least in this area, it is business as usual for a tuesday evening after a heavy storm. Bars, restaurants are opened even if few of them already pulled their curtains dows (due to the coup or simply because we are close from closing hour and it has been strongly raining for more than one hour ?). 

All Sukhumvit road, only visible police is the traffic one with few policemen in their station on the Sukhumvit/Soi 4 crossroad. Not seen a single military personal nor vehicle.

Bars girls are leaving their workplace (accompagnied or not) going for a noddles soup in one of these typical small thai restaurants installed on sidewalks.

 Only noticable difference: No more international new channels (CNN, BCC, TV5) available on cable TV network (00:20 local time).

 

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