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Asia Times Online :: Southeast Asia news - Thailand: All the king's men (1277 words) |
 | Images broadcast on national television of Sonthi meeting with King Bhumibol at his palace indicated overtly to the general population that the military's extra-constitutional move had the monarch's tacit approval. |
 | The coup of a democratically elected caretaker government, suspension of the country's progressive 1997 constitution, seizure of the national broadcasting frequencies and detention of politicians associated with the ruling political party would on the surface appear to be a giant step backward for Thailand's democratic development. |
 | Although the paper remains controversial, what is apparent is that Thaksin did move to sideline a number of top government officials, which in effect diluted the palace's influence inside the bureaucracy and, as one palace source believes, aimed to consolidate his power in anticipation of the post-Bhumibol era. |
| BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Nepal king faces opposition campaign (339 words) |
 | King Gyanendra sacked the elected government last October and suspended national elections following a row with the prime minister over the timing of the vote. |
 | The parties say the king's unprecedented move was unconstitutional, and insist on reversing the royal move. |
 | King Gyanendra has pledged to remain a constitutional monarch in Nepal's multi-party democracy. |