The Council for National Security (; ); abbreviated CNS (), was the military junta that ruled Thailand between its coup d'état against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on 19 September 2006 until the later coup d'état on 22 May 2014. Thaksin was deposed while overseas in New York City in a nonviolent coup led by Royal Thai Army (RTA) Commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, one of Thailand's top military commanders. Martial law was declared on 19 September by General Sonthi, who stated that the action was taken in an effort to "bring back normality and harmony" and with the intent to "return power to the Thai people as soon as possible." This sentiment was echoed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who subsequently appointed General Sonthi to lead the governing council.
General Sonthi led the Council, acting as both the prime minister and the cabinet, until the appointment of General Surayud Chulanont as the new prime minister. However, the Council retained considerable political power under the Council-drafted 2006 Interim Constitution, especially concerning the drafting of a permanent constitution.
The Council was dissolved on 22 May 2014 upon the partial repeal of the 2007 Constitution of Thailand, when Army Commander General Prayut Chan-o-cha launched a coup d'état in response to six months of political crisis. It was succeeded in its capacity as military junta by the National Council for Peace and Order.
Name The Council was originally formed as the Council for Democratic Reform (; ), abbreviated to CDR (). The Council's original Thai name translates literally to "Council for Reforming the Democratic Regime of Government with the King as Head". On 21 September 2006, a spokesperson requested the local media to report the Council's English name in full, rather than shortening it, along with the addendum "under the Constitutional Monarchy" after news reports had been shortening the name in their coverage. This was because the Council felt that its full name was significant to relaying its intended message, and that the shortened version may be "misleading".
However, on September 27, the Council announced that they would be dropping the English reference to the monarchy due to misunderstandings arising by foreign media concerning the role the monarchy played in the Council, and declared that it would officially be known as the Council for Democratic Reform in English. When the 2006 interim constitution was released that same day, ahead of its promulgation on October 1, it included articles creating a Council for National Security with an identical leadership to that of the CDR, effectively re-naming the CDR to the Council for National Security once the interim constitution came into effect.
Membership and key positions
Sonthi received the appointment and blessing of king Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is quoted as saying, "So as to maintain peace and order in the nation, His Majesty the King has graciously granted a Royal Command appointing General Sonthi Boonyaratglin as Leader of the Council for Democratic Reform. The people is requested to remain calm while all public servants are to follow Orders issued by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, henceforth onwards."The Australian, 21 September The junta consists of the leaders of all branches of the Thai military and police:The Bangkok Post, Top generals all in, 20 September 2006
Office Name Branch Position NoteChiefSonthi BoonyaratglinRoyal Thai ArmyCommander-in-ChiefFirst Deputy ChiefSathiraphan KeyanonRoyal Thai NavyCommander-in-Chief Second Deputy ChiefChalit PookpasukRoyal Thai Air ForceCommander-in-ChiefThird Deputy ChiefKowit WattanaRoyal Thai PoliceCommissioner-GeneralOusted from both his Police Commissioner-General and his junta leadership position on 5 February 2007, due to his investigation of junta involvement in the 2007 Bangkok bombings.Secretary-GeneralWinai PhatthiyakulRoyal Thai ArmyNational Security Council Secretary-GeneralChief AdviserRuangroj MahasaranonRoyal Thai Armed Forces HeadquartersSupreme Commander
A week after the coup, Sonthi's former classmate Gen Boonsrang Naimpradit was promoted from Deputy Supreme Commander to the post of Supreme Commander, replacing Ruangroj Mahasaranon. Junta Secretary General, Winai Phattiyakul, was promoted to the post of Permanent Secretary for Defence.The Nation, Ousted PM's allies receives lenient punishment, 29 September 2006
Gen Sonthi also promoted his classmates and lieutenants in the coup, 1st Army Region Commander Lt-Gen Anupong Paochinda and 3rd Army Region Commander Lt-Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, to the post of Assistant Army Commander.The Bangkok Post, , 24 September 2006The Nation, Annual military reshuffle announced, 29 September 2006
On 22 September, the Council gave Police General Kowit Wattana absolute power over all police matters. He was also made chair of a new National Police Commission, the membership of which had not yet been announced. The Commission will be assigned to amend the 2004 National Police Bill over the next year; the bill had originally been approved by the elected parliament. Under the pre-coup legal framework, the Premier had been responsible for Chairing the Commission.The Bangkok Post, "Coup leader gets full police powers" , 22 October 2006
A later restructuring reflected power shifts among the junta, particularly an increase in the power of the army and a decrease in the power of the police and navy. Police chief Kowit Watana, who, after the coup, had reshuffle senior police personnel to weaken the power base of Thaksin Shinawatra, was demoted from junta Deputy Chief to merely a member. Navy Commander Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanond, who had been second in command of the junta, was also demoted to being merely a member.The Nation, Ruengroj exits restyled council , 3 October 2006
Political motivations and objectives
In a statement on 21 September, the Council stated its reasons for taking power, and gave a commitment to restore democratic government within one year. The statement described the coup as a “brief intervention in order to restore peace, unity, and justice in the country.”
The reasons given for the coup were:
The statement continued: “The Council’s intervention has no other aim than to strengthen democracy through democratic reforms, including the holding of generally-accepted free and fair elections. Leaving the country under protracted political uncertainty, on the other hand, would eventually erode people’s trust and confidence in the very foundations of democracy.”
The 2006 coup was followed by increased divisiveness in Thai society, leading to many more lese majeste cases despite the king's expressed wish that these be decreased. By late 2011, the United Nations and United States and other western countries had expressed extreme concerns over the lese majeste laws and lack of protection of human rights in the kingdom.
Decisions and future The junta pledged to appoint a civilian government, step aside, reinstate human rights, hold elections within a year, and not change key Thaksin-government policies like universal healthcare and microcredit village funds. The junta later appointed retired General Surayud Chulanont as Premier, changed its name to the Council for National Security and institutionalized its power in the Interim Constitution, lifted their ban on political gatherings (but only for “constructive debates”), and moved the date of elections to 17 months.
In recent years, Thailand’s political landscape has seen significant changes. The Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai Party have emerged as major political forces. In the 2023 elections, the MFP claimed victory, signaling a shift away from military-backed rule. However, challenges remain, including potential legal hurdles and the influence of the military and royalist establishment.
Timeline for establishment of civilian government The Council’s statement included a timetable for the restoration of civilian government and elections. “A provisional constitution will be in place within two weeks, and eventually a civilian government will be formed,” it said. “The mechanisms for democratic reform will soon be reinstated. A legislative body, responsible for legislation and the drafting of the new constitution, will be established. This process, which will lead to general elections, should be completed within one year. See Thailand 2006 interim civilian government
Following the general election the junta would be dissolved and replaced by a Council of National SecurityThe Bangkok Post, 25 September 2006, Military set to publish interim constitution "It's necessary to keep the council so that there is no loophole for the executive branch", General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told AFP
Removal from the civil service The junta initiated the removal from the civil service of people appointed by the Thaksin government as well as Thaksin's former Class 10 classmates at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School. Military officers to be transferred to inactive posts included assistant army chief Gen Pornchai Kranlert, First Army Corps commander Lt-Gen Jirasit Kesakomol, First Army Division chief Maj-Gen Prin Suwandhat, Commander of the First Army Area Lt General Anupong Paochinda, Maj General Prin Suwanathat, Lt General Jirasit Kesakomol, Maj General Ruangsak Thongdee, Maj General Sanit Phrommas, and Maj General Manas Paorik. General Lertrat Rattavanich, seen as close to the Thaksin government, was promoted to a ceremonial post of Defence Inspector General.
Labor Ministry Permanent Secretary Somchai Wongsawat, brother-in-law of Thaksin Shinawatra, was arrested and is being detained on the second floor of the Army Headquarters building.The Nation, Govt heavies flee after many held , 20 September 2006
Also transferred were 18 senior police officers which the junta claimed could pose a threat to national security if they were to remain in their current posts. These included Special Branch Police chief Pol Lt-Gen Thaworn Chanyim, Immigration Police chief Pol Lt-Gen Suwat Thamrongsrisakul, Region 4 chief Pol Lt-Gen Sathaporn Duangkaew, Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt-Gen Montri Chamroon, Crime Suppression Division chief Pol Maj-Gen Winai Thongsong, 191 Police chief Pol Maj-Gen Sumeth Ruangsawat, Metropolitan Police Division 5 chief Pol Maj-Gen Kosin Hinthao, Metropolitan Police Division 7 chief Pol Maj-Gen Boonsong Panichattra, and Special Branch Police Division 3 chief Pol Maj-Gen Atthakrit Thareechat. Pol Maj-Gen Atthakrit Thareechat is currently providing security for Thaksin in London.
Surasit Sangkhapong, director of the Government Lottery Office and an aide of Thaksin resigned to allow Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka to conduct an investigation into an allegation of irregularity.The Nation, GLO chief resigns , 29 September 2006
Governors of provinces seen as Thai Rak Thai political strongholds transferred to smaller provinces or appointed to the inactive posts in the Interior Ministry. This included the governors of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Buri Ram, Phatthalung, Satun, Surin, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, and Samut Prakan. Interior Minister Aree Wongarya denied that the moves were politically motivated. However, the reshuffle was widely seen as an attempt to demote those with links to the deposed government. Interior Ministry permanent secretary Phongphayome Wasaphooti also noted that the transfers were done in order to "reduce the influences attached to their Thai Rak Thai-initiated CEO governorships. The transfers are aimed at enabling the [Surayud] government to function more easily."The Nation, 'Politics' not behind reshuffle , 2 November 2006