View source for Surayud Chulanont

{{Short description|Prime Minister of Thailand from 2006 to 2008}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Surayud Chulanont
| native_name         = {{nobold|สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์}}
| native_name_lang    = th
| honorific-prefix    = [[General]]
| honorific-suffix    = [[Order of Chula Chom Klao|TCh]] [[Order of the White Elephant|MPCh]] [[Order of the Crown of Thailand|MWM]] [[Privy Council of Thailand|PC]]
| image               = The Union Minister of External Affairs, Shri Pranab Mukherjee meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. General Surayud Chulanont, in New Delhi on June 26, 2007 (cropped).jpg
| office              = [[Privy Council of Thailand|President of the Privy Council of Thailand]]
| monarch             = [[Vajiralongkorn]]
| term_start          = 2 January 2020<br />{{small|Acting: 27 May 2019 —  2 January 2020}}
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Prem Tinsulanonda]]
| office1             = [[Privy Council of Thailand|Privy Councillor of Thailand]]
| term_start1         = 29 December 2016
| term_end1           = 2 January 2020
| monarch1            = Vajiralongkorn
| order2              = 24th
| office2             = Prime Minister of Thailand
| monarch2            = [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]]
| term_start2         = 1 October 2006
| term_end2           = 29 January 2008
| deputy2             = {{ubl|[[Pridiyathorn Devakula]]|[[Kosit Panpiemras]]|Phaiboon Watthanasiritham|[[Sonthi Boonyaratglin]]}}
| predecessor2        = Sonthi Boonyaratglin (as Head of the [[Council for National Security|Council for Democratic Reform]])
| successor2          = [[Samak Sundaravej]]
| office3             = [[Ministry of Interior (Thailand)|Minister of Interior]]
| term_start3         = 3 October 2007
| term_end3           = 6 February 2008
| primeminister3      = Himself
| predecessor3        = Aree Wong-araya
| successor3          = [[Chalerm Yubamrung]]
| office4             = [[Chief of Defence Forces (Thailand)|Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces]]
| term_start4         = 1 October 2002
| term_end4           = 30 September 2003
| predecessor4        = Narong Yuthavong
| successor4          = Somtat Attanand
| office5             = [[Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army]]
| term_start5         = 1 October 1998
| term_end5           = 30 September 2002
| predecessor5        = Chettha Thannajaro
| successor5          = Somtat Attanand
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1943|8|28|df=y}}
| birth_place         = Chakrapong Camp, [[Mueang Prachinburi district|Mueang Prachinburi]], [[Prachinburi Province|Prachinburi]], Thailand
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = 
| spouse              = Duangphon Rattanakri <small>(div.)</small><br/>Chitravadee Chulanont
| children            = 3
| father              = [[Phayom Chulanont]]
| alma_mater          = [[Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy]] <br/>[[National Defence College of Thailand]]
| profession          = [[Soldier]]
| rank                = {{ubl|[[General]]|[[Admiral]]|[[Air Chief Marshal]]}}
| allegiance          = Thailand
| branch              = [[Royal Thai Army]]
| commands            = {{ubil|[[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters|Supreme Commander]]|[[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Army|Commander-in-Chief: Army]]|Commanding General of the [[Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command|Army Special Warfare]]}}
| serviceyears        = 1965–2003
| battles             = * '''[[Cold War]]'''
* [[Communist insurgency in Thailand]]
* [[Black May (1992)|Black May]]
* '''[[1999 East Timorese crisis]]'''
** [[International Force East Timor]]
* '''[[2003 Phnom Penh riots|Operation Pochentong 1]]'''
* '''[[Thaksin Shinawatra#The War on Drugs|War on Drugs]]'''
| mawards             = * [[Order of Rama|Rama Medal]]
* Freemen Safeguarding Medal (First Class)
* Border Service Medal
* Chakra Mala Medal
* Darjah Kepahlawanan Angkatan Tentera
* [[Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)]]
* [[Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)]]
* [[Legion of Merit|Legion of Merit Commander]]
* Bintang Kartika Eka Paksi Utama
* [[Order of National Security Merit|Tongil Medal]]
| signature           = ลายเซ็นสุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ ภาษาอังกฤษ.png
| height              = {{height|m=1.65|precision=0}}
| caption             = Surayud in 2007
}}

'''Surayud Chulanont''' ({{langx|th|สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์}}, {{RTGS|Surayut Chulanon}}, {{IPA|th|sù.rá.jút t͡ɕù.laː.non|IPA}}; born 28 August 1943) is a Thai politician. He was the [[prime minister of Thailand]] and head of Thailand's [[Thailand 2006 interim civilian government|interim government]] between 2006 and 2008. He is a former supreme commander of the [[Royal Thai Army]] and is currently [[Privy Council (Thailand)|Privy Councilor]] to King [[Vajiralongkorn]].

Surayud came from a military family, but his father defected from the Royal Thai Army to the [[Communist Party of Thailand]] when Surayud was a boy. Surayud joined the Thai Army and rose to power as an aide to General [[Prem Tinsulanonda]]. He commanded troops during [[Black May (1992)|Bloody May]], the violent 1992 crackdown on anti-government protesters, but he denied giving his men the order to shoot protesters. He was promoted to army commander during the government of [[Chuan Leekpai]] and was promoted to supreme commander in 2003, under the government of [[Thaksin Shinawatra]]. Upon his retirement from the army, he was appointed by King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] to the [[Privy Council of Thailand]]. Surayud and Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda played a key role in the promotion of General [[Sonthi Boonratklin]] to the position of army commander.

Sonthi overthrew the government of Shinawatra in a [[2006 Thailand coup|coup on 19 September 2006]] and implored Surayud to be the head of interim government. Surayud's government was controversial. There was a significant worsening in perceived levels of corruption during his government.<ref>Transparency International, [http://www.transparency.org/news_room/latest_news/press_releases/2007/2007_09_26_cpi_2007_en  2007 Corruption Perceptions Index] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011001633/http://www.transparency.org/news_room/latest_news/press_releases/2007/2007_09_26_cpi_2007_en |date=11 October 2007 }}</ref>  Surayud's Deputy Finance Minister, Sommai Pasee, was sentenced to jail for abuse of power.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/12/13/headlines/headlines_30058996.php Convicted deputy finance minister resigns] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215182513/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/12/13/headlines/headlines_30058996.php |date=15 December 2007 }}, 13 December 2007</ref>  Surayud raised the military budget by 35% and was accused of economic mismanagement, rampant human rights abuses, and [[Flip-flop (politics)|flip-flopping]] on numerous policies. [[Article 19]] ranked Thailand as falling behind [[Cambodia]] and [[Indonesia]] in terms of [[freedom of expression]].<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/16/national/national_30052593.php Defamation law decried] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018130354/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/16/national/national_30052593.php |date=18 October 2007 }}, 16 October 2007</ref>  Thailand's economic growth rate slowed to the lowest level in five years and was ranked the lowest in the region.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=123625 Thailand's economic growth lowest in region, World Bank says]</ref><ref>''Xinhua'', [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/15/content_7081430.htm World Bank urges Thailand to enhance economy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211012732/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/15/content_7081430.htm |date=11 December 2008 }}, 15 November 2007</ref>  However, Surayud was praised for apologising for atrocities committed by the Thai military fighting the [[South Thailand insurgency]], although the apology was accompanied by a sharp escalation in violence. He has been accused of [[forest reserve]] encroachment (a charge that was not investigated since the [[statute of limitations]] had run out by two years) and of illegally acquiring [[train carriage]]s for display in his forest home.

He is married to Chitravadi Santhadwet Chulanont ({{langx|th|จิตรวดี สันทัดเวช}}) and has three sons namely Captain Non,
Khao and Nam.

== Family and education ==
Surayud came from a long line of military leaders. His maternal grandfather was Phraya [[Sri Sitthi Songkhram]] (Din Tharab), a royalist leader during the failed [[Boworadej]] Rebellion. Surayud's father was Lt. Colonel [[Phayom Chulanont]], a Royal Thai Army military officer who, as "Comrade Too Khamtan" ({{langx|th|สหายตู้คำตัน, [[Royal Thai General System of Transcription|RTGS]]: sahai tu khamtan}}), became a member of the Central Committee [[Communist Party of Thailand]] and Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army of Thailand.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/01/12/Special_Report/data/Special_Report_19636134.html Comrades-In-Arms: Their war gone by] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312141000/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/01/12/Special_Report/data/Special_Report_19636134.html |date=12 March 2007 }}, 12 January 2006</ref>

Surayud completed his early education at [[Saint Gabriel's College]] and [[Suankularb Wittayalai School]] in Bangkok. He graduated from the inaugural class of [[Armed Forces Preparatory Academy (Thailand)|Armed Forces Preparatory Academy]].

As a boy, Surayud's [[Phayom Chulanont|father]] left his family to go underground to join the [[Communist Party of Thailand|Communists]]. Phayom explained his defection by citing corruption in the army and its inability to defend the powerless.<ref name="Time">''Time'' Magazine, [https://web.archive.org/web/20030422123830/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/heroes/surayud_chulanont.html Surayud Chulanont: A soldier who answered to the people], 28 April 2003</ref>  His father's defection to the Communists had a large impact on Surayud.  Surayud's son, Non, noted that, "My father always told me that we must help each other redeem the tarnished family name of Chulanont so that Thais can look up to it."<ref>{{in lang|th}} ''Matichon Weekly'', "จาก 'ปู่พโยม' ถึง 'พ่ิอสุรยุทธ์'  'จุลานนท์' ในสายตา 'ร.อ.นนท์' 'นายกฯสุรยุทธ์' และการปฏิวัติ ในสายตาลูกทหาร" ("From 'Grandfather Phayom' to 'Father Surayud', 'Chulanont' in the Eyes of 'Captain Non', 'Premier Surayud' and Rebellion in the Eyes of the Son of a Soldier"), 15–21 December 2006</ref>

Surayud entered [[Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy]] (CRMA) and graduated from Class 12.

Surayud was conferred honorary doctor of philosophy degrees in:
1. Communication Arts in 1995 by Wongchavalidkul University, Thailand.
2. Liberal Arts (Rural Planning and Development) in 2000 by Maejo University, Thailand.
3. Liberal Arts (Political Science) in 2004 by Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.
4. Engineering in April 2007 by [[Tokai University]], Japan.
5. Social Development in December 2008 by Huachiew University, Thailand.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}

Surayud currently serves as a chancellor of the council of [[King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang]] (KMITL) and Phetchaburi Rajabhat University.

== Military career ==
Early in his army career, Surayud served in several army divisions including a light artillery unit and a paratrooper unit. He conducted operations against the [[Communist Party of Thailand]] (CPT) while his father was a leader of the CPT. From 1972 to 1978, he was an instructor at the Special Warfare School. He was an aide to General [[Prem Tinsulanonda]] when Prem was appointed army commander and later [[Prime Minister of Thailand]].  Surayud was appointed Commander of the Special Warfare Command in 1992, where he was the commanding officer of [[Sonthi Boonratklin]].<ref>[http://www.rta.mi.th/command/command31.htm {{in lang|th}} Surayud Chulanont's official resume from the Royal Thai Army website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011221204003/http://www.rta.mi.th/command/command31.htm |date=21 December 2001 }}</ref><!--This previous paragraph comes from the Thai Wikipedia and Surayud's official resume in Thai. Please add English language references when/if they become available.  -->

During [[Black May (1992)|Bloody May]], the violent crackdown 1992 on anti-government protesters, Surayud's men were seen at areas near the Royal Hotel, where protesters were seen being searched for weapons and later dragged into the hotel.  He later claimed that he never gave orders for his soldiers to shoot.<ref name="IHT_2006Oct01">IHT, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/01/news/thai.php  Thai junta shores up role in politics], 1 October 2006</ref>  According to a later interview, "It convinced me that the army should never be involved in politics."<ref name="Time" />  Days later he told a national television audience that he deplored the loss of life and that he had not given any orders to shoot.<ref name="Time"/> In 1994, he was appointed commander of the 2nd Army Region.

Surayud was promoted to army commander in late-1998.  At the time, his promotion was controversial, as Surayud had been politically "shelved" at a staff position. To secure his vision of a politics-free army, Surayud appointed several of his classmates from Class 12 of the [[Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy|CRMA]] to key positions. Among these were Lt Gen [[Sompong Maivichit]], who he made head of army-controlled Channel 5 television station, replacing Gen [[Pang Malakul na Ayudhya]], and Lt Gen [[Boonrod Somtap]], who he promoted to a key subordinate position to replace Gen [[Charn Boonprasert]].<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.burmalibrary.org/reg.burma/archives/199902/msg00391.html Editorial & Opinion: Surayuth guns for reforms], 18 February 1999</ref>  He also ended a policy of deporting Burmese refugees, especially ethnic [[Karen people|Karens]], back to Burma. "He's been a friend to us," said Pastor Robert Htway of the Karen Refugee Committee.<ref name="Time" />  During his term, Thai soldiers took part in the [[United Nations Peace Keeping Force]], assisting UN-PKF efforts in [[East Timor]].

To stop drug and drug cartels into Thailand, Surayud, in March 2002, ordered one of Thailand's largest military operations in recent times, when Thai troops moved deep into [[Myanmar]] territory to destroy drug labs and military bases controlled by the United [[Wa State]] Army.<ref name="AsiaTimes">Asia Times, [https://web.archive.org/web/20061130030805/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/HK14Ae02.html Unplugging Thailand, Myanmar energy deals], 14 November 2006</ref>

In 2003, after over four years as Army Commander, Surayud was promoted to the position of supreme commander, a loftier, but less influential, post, during the government of [[Thaksin Shinawatra]].  He  was replaced as army commander by [[Somthad Attanan]].  His promotion was rumoured to be the result of a conflict with the prime minister,<ref name="Time" /> possibly over foreign policy towards Myanmar and the crackdown on drugs.

== Privy councilor ==
On 14 November 2003, King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] appointed Surayud to his [[Privy Council (Thailand)|Privy Council]] of personal advisors. Several months later he asked the king for permission to ordain as a monk for a brief period at a forest temple in northeastern Thailand. Surayud and Privy Council President [[Prem Tinsulanonda]] had been perceived to have a key role in the promotion of General [[Sonthi Boonratklin]] to the position of army commander.<ref>''The Statesman'', [https://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=8&theme=&usrsess=1&id=130648 Sonthi: The man who made it happen] {{dead link|date=January 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, 20 September 2006</ref><ref name="Nation_2006Sep28">''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/28/headlines/headlines_30014841.php Warning from Surayud: Thaksin's return 'a threat'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012234806/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/28/headlines/headlines_30014841.php |date=12 October 2006 }}, 28 September 2006</ref>

Facing an escalating [[South Thailand insurgency|insurgency in the south of Thailand]], Surayud urged the media to paint a more positive picture of the violence.  "Truthful words that may not be beneficial nor do any good to the public should be avoided", noted Surayud to the Press Council of Thailand. He was contradicted by Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang, who noted that he couldn't think of any news about the conflict in the South that could or should not be reported by the media.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.komchadluek.net/breaking/read.php?lang=en&newsid=68470 Media criticised over 'unhelpful news'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312214316/http://www.komchadluek.net/breaking/read.php?lang=en&newsid=68470 |date=12 March 2007 }}, 4 July 2005</ref>

In response to numerous claims made by anti-Thaksin activist [[Sondhi Limthongkul]] that his [[People's Alliance for Democracy]] was "fighting for the King", Surayud responded by saying that, "Recent references to the monarchy were inappropriate. The institution should not be involved in politics. Political disputes should be solved in a political way."<ref>DPA, [http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/article_1207115.php/New_Prime_Minister_a_respected_former_army_commander New Prime Minister a respected former army commander] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323205251/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/asiapacific/article_1207115.php/New_Prime_Minister_a_respected_former_army_commander |date=23 March 2007 }}, 1 October 2006</ref>

In January 2008, not long after Surayud ended his term as prime minister, he was again reappointed to King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Privy Council.

In 2020 Surayud stood in for Vajiralongkorn in the [[Rice#Culture|Royal Ploughing Ceremony of rice]], directing the planting of [[Dok Mali 105]], [[Pathum Than 1]], [[Kor Khor 43]], [[Kor Khor 6]], and [[Kor Khor 79]].<ref name="ThaiPBS-Roy-Plough">{{cite web | title=Privy Councilor Gen Surayud presides over Royal Ploughing Ceremony | website=[[Thai Public Broadcasting Service]] World | date=2020-05-11 | url=http://www.thaipbsworld.com/privy-councilor-gen-surayud-presides-over-royal-ploughing-ceremony/ | access-date=2021-12-07 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518145500/http://www.thaipbsworld.com/privy-councilor-gen-surayud-presides-over-royal-ploughing-ceremony/ | archive-date=2021-05-18}}</ref>

== Environmental protection ==
Surayud was chairman of the [[Khao Yai National Park]] Protection Foundation.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.warthai.org/content/education/elephants.htm#35 New Highway Planned to Let Herds Mingle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214001358/http://www.warthai.org/content/education/elephants.htm#35 |date=14 February 2007 }}, 26 April 2004</ref>

However, after becoming premier in 2006, he was accused of breaching the Forestry Act and the National Forest Reserves Act by illegally owning forest land in Yaithiang Mountain of [[Nakhon Ratchasima Province]].  He vowed to resign and return the land (which he did not deny owning) if found guilty.<ref name="The Nation">''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022862 Activists call on Surayud to resign for alleged forest encroachment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102172825/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022862 |date=2 January 2007 }}, 29 December 2006</ref>

In February 2010 after demonstrations by "Red Shirts" at Khao Yaithiang Mountain, Surayud, who by then had already left politics, returned the land to the Royal Forestry Department when it was found that the land was within forest reserve land under the ministry's decades old code. The plot of land is now under Royal Forestry Department's care. However, up until now no legal action has been taken by Thai authorities against him or other landowners of similar case around the country. Some opposition pressed him to resign from his post as privy councillor only as to understand later that Surayud "had no ill intention" and that it was highly inappropriate to ask for resignation of the post on such unreasonable ground.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}

== Premiership (2006–2008) ==
{{main|Thailand 2006 interim civilian government}}
{{see also|Policies of the Surayud government}}
[[File:Surayud with Bush.jpg|thumb|Surayud (right) with U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] at the National Conference Center in Hanoi]]

Surayud was already considered a strong candidate for appointment as civilian prime minister premiership immediately after General Sonthi overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Indeed, Surayud's appointment to the Premiership was confirmed by junta leader [[Sonthi Boonyaratglin]] on the morning of Sunday 1 October 2006.  After a couple imploring asks for Surayud to take the temporary premiership, Sonthi had a formal audience with King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] at 4 pm that day to nominate Surayud's name to the monarch.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015095 Sonthi to be granted an audience to nominate interim PM at 4 pm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017091543/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015095 |date=17 October 2006 }}, 1 October 2006</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=113281 Sonthi: Surayud to be PM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313201014/http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=113281 |date=13 March 2007 }}, 1 October 2006</ref>  "Security and social unity" were cited by Sonthi as the key reasons for appointing Surayud.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/02Oct2006_news02.php Surayud's military past posed worry], 2 October 2006</ref>

Surayud announced that as premier, he would "Focus on self-sufficiency, more than focusing on the GDP numbers. I will focus on the happiness of the people, more than the GDP."<ref>''CNN'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20061026023039/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/10/01/thailand.coup.ap/  Former Thai army chief sworn in as interim PM], 1 October 2006</ref> He also claimed that he would be "Friendly to every party, trying to receive information from every side and meeting people as much as possible. I will lead a government based on justice."<ref name="IHT_2006Oct01" />

Due to influences from junta and those behind the scene, the policies and positions of several ministers in Surayud's cabinet changed very frequently, sometimes on a daily basis. Notable flip-flops included Thailand's refusal to share [[avian flu]] samples with the [[WHO]], capital controls against foreign investment, shareholding limits for foreign investors in telecommunications firms, the identity of bombers in the 2006 New Year's Eve bombings, and the role of the Malaysian government in mediating the South Thailand insurgency.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}

While he was prime minister, Surayud's wife, Colonel [[Khunying]] Chitrawadee, was awarded the Dame Grand Commander (Second Class) of the Most Illustrious [[Order of Chulachomklao]], allowing her to use the prefix [[Than Phu Ying]].<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/x1h6k5o0b0rtx PM's wife elevated to 'thanpuying'], 6 May 2007</ref>

=== Popularity ===
[[File:Vladimir Putin at APEC Summit in Australia 7-9 September 2007-4.jpg|thumb|right|Surayud (4th from left) at [[APEC Summit]] in Australia]]

The Surayud government's initial nationwide approval rating in October 2006 stood at 60%, with 8% disapproving. By early-November, this fell to 55% approving and 15% disapproving.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30018746 Thai public support for post-coup government falls: poll] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112123208/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30018746 |date=12 January 2007 }}, 14 November 2006</ref> For comparison, a nationwide poll in July 2006 found that 49% of respondents would have voted for Thaksin Shinawatra in the cancelled October elections.<ref>{{cite news |title=Embattled TRT Still Holds Edge Over Opposition: Poll |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/07/31/headlines/headlines_30009984.php |newspaper=[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]] |date=31 July 2006 |access-date=20 September 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031651/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/07/31/headlines/headlines_30009984.php |archive-date=30 September 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The [[2006 Bangkok New Year's Eve bombings]] caused Surayud's popularity to drop to 48.5% according to [[Assumption University, Thailand|Assumption University]]'s polling arm—and just 11% said they had "full confidence" the government can handle the crisis.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115767 Poll: Public skeptical of govt claims] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006090221/http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115767 |date=6 October 2007 }}, 5 January 2007</ref>

The 2007 Chinese New Year Bombings, which saw [[South Thailand insurgency#Escalating violence|38 bombing attacks, 26 cases of arson, and seven ambushes]] within a single day, caused Surayud's popularity to drop even further: 53.7% of respondents living in Bangkok and other major cities in felt the government and the CNS could not put an end to problems in the country. Only 24.6% thought that the situation would improve in six months.<ref>[http://pages.citebite.com/n1p1v4n4t2oek Poll: Thais lose trust in govt, CNS], 22 February 2007</ref>

By 24 February 2007, his popularity among Bangkokians had further dropped to 34.8%, although he was still more popular than Thaksin Shinawatra, whom 28.8% of Bangkokians favoured.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/25/headlines/headlines_30027834.php Surayud's popularity further drops] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227111011/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/25/headlines/headlines_30027834.php |date=27 February 2007}}, 25 February 2007</ref>

By 4 March 2007, only 31.3% of people in Bangkok supported the government's political stance. This fell dramatically to 12.5% by 26 March 2007.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/p1a4c3o6a5hjo Protests did not enjoy wide support in Bangkok], 26 March 2007</ref> Notably the main reason behind the drop was that people wanted to see quick changes in state policies and that actions and judgments for the ousted former prime minister were not forthcoming soon enough.

The US government decided to continue holding "[[Cobra Gold]]" joint [[military exercises]] with the Thai government. Immediately after the coup, Washington had halted all military co-operation with, and aid to, the junta. US law forbade assistance to governments of a country where an elected leader has been deposed in a coup.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/c1i1f1x5q6tma Cobra Gold war games get green light], 19 February 2007</ref>

In early-May 2007, activists from the Assembly of Isaan People met with junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin in order to appeal for him to remove Surayud Chulanont.  Sonthi personally met the anti-Surayud activists at army headquarters and promised he would consider their request. This was the first time that Sonthi met people calling for the removal of Surayud.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/09/headlines/headlines_30033754.php Activists plead for Sonthi to remove PM] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510052857/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/09/headlines/headlines_30033754.php |date=10 May 2007 }}, 9 May 2007</ref> Sonthi later claimed that he was "tricked" into meeting the activists.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/10/national/national_30033849.php Gen Sonthi 'tricked' into meeting anti-PM group] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070512210939/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/10/national/national_30033849.php |date=12 May 2007 }}, 10 May 2007</ref>

Surayud launched a weekly talk show called "Poed Baan Phitsanulok" ("Opening Up Baan Pitsanulok"; Baan Pitsanulok is the informal name for Government House) so as to share views and progress of interim government's aim (towards peaceful, internationally recognised general election). The show aired on state-run Channel 11 every Saturday between 08:30 and 09:15. Calling the weekly radio show that was hosted by Thaksin Shinawatra when he was premier "propaganda", he denied any similarity between the two shows.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/12/politics/politics_30034034.php Surayud goes for talk-show format] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929153901/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/12/politics/politics_30034034.php |date=29 September 2007 }}, 12 May 2007</ref>

The military junta's popularity continued to decline. By late-June 2007, an ABAC Poll found that only 13.6% supported the government, with 69.8 of respondents disappointed with the political situation.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/25/politics/politics_30037733.php Voters want election as govt support drops] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627014438/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/25/politics/politics_30037733.php |date=27 June 2007 }}, 25 June 2007</ref>

The government's popularity continued to decline into July, when survey respondents in Bangkok and outlying areas gave the government an average score of 4.32 out of 10. The average score had been 4.53 in March 2007 and 5.27 in January 2007. Fewer than 15% of respondents in the survey felt that the nation's overall situation had improved during the government's nine-month tenure, while 31.6% said the situation remained unchanged and the majority, 34.9% said it had worsened.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/v1f9o4o0g5ybl Thai government's popularity declines], 8 July 2007</ref>

=== Drafting of a permanent constitution and elections ===
The junta's [[2006 Interim Constitution of Thailand|2006 Interim Constitution]] authorised the junta to appoint a 2,000 person National Assembly which would select members to become candidates for a Constitution Drafting Assembly. From the onset of his appointment as premier, Surayud Chulanont was urged by academics to override the junta's control of the constitution drafting process. Somchai Siripreechakul, Dean of Law at [[Chiang Mai University]], urged Surayud to call a general election as soon as possible and hand the task of drafting a charter to an elected parliament.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/02/politics/politics_30015137.php Poll should precede new charter: law experts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031238/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/02/politics/politics_30015137.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 2 October 2006</ref> [[Banjerd Singkhaneti]] of [[Thammasat University]] noted of the constitution drafting process, "I think it will be a mess and the next constitution will be just that."<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Sep2006_news10.php Draft charter loopholes can 'resurrect Thaksin regime'], 28 September 2006</ref>

After the coup, the military junta had originally promised to draft a permanent charter within eight months and to hold elections in October 2007. However, Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan later announced that elections might not occur until one year and five months.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/18/politics/politics_30016453.php Drafting new charter 'may take 17 mths'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930004950/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/18/politics/politics_30016453.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 18 October 2006</ref>

After a constitutional referendum on 19 August, Surayud promised that elections would “definitely” be held in late December.<ref>''The Economist'', [http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9687312 Not a Vote for the Generals], 23 August 2007</ref>

=== Cabinet appointments ===
Some believed that [[Prem Tinsulanonda]], President of the King's [[Privy Council (Thailand)|Privy Council]], played a significant role in picking the members of Surayud's cabinet. It was, however, Surayud who made the final decision. General Boonrawd Somtas, a former CDRMA classmate and longtime friend of Surayud, was appointed defense minister.<ref>Associated Press, [http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/region.php?id=131834&region=2 THAI KING TO SWEAR-IN CABINET]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 9 October 2006</ref> former Interior Permanent Secretary Aree Wong-araya was appointed interior minister, former Energy Policy and Planning Office director Piyasvasti Amranand became energy minister, central bank governor Pridiyathorn Devakula became finance minister, and Bangkok Bank Chairman [[Kosit Panpiemras]] became industry minister. Michael Nelson of [[Chulalongkorn University]] noted that the cabinet was dominated by bureaucrats and that "It's very strongly guided by military ideas combined with some technocrats, some people in economic areas and some former bureaucrats."<ref>''The Australian'', [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20550793-23109,00.html Thailand's post-coup cabinet unveiled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312041044/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20550793-23109,00.html |date=12 March 2007 }}, 9 October 2006</ref>

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn resigned on 28 February 2007. His resignation shocked the political world as well as the business community.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/01/business/business_30028169.php Concern over stability of govt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303001103/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/01/business/business_30028169.php |date=3 March 2007 }}, 1 March 2007</ref>  His cited reasons for resignation included,
* Surayud's decision to appoint Pridiyathorn's rival, former Thaksin-government Finance Minister [[Somkid Jatusripitak]], as a [[self-sufficiency economy]] special envoy. Somkid resigned from his position after less than a week.
* Prime Minister's Office Minister [[Thirapat Serirangsan]]'s alleged preference to certain private media interests.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/y1e1s8e9b3afb Pridiyathorn resigns as deputy prime minister and finance minister], 28 February 2007</ref>  Several analysts speculated that he was referring to the preferential treatment the junta gave to leading anti-Thaksin critic [[Sondhi Limthongkul]], who was also a long-time critic of Pridiyathorn.<ref>''International Herald Tribune'', [http://pages.citebite.com/p1m1l9u8i3tph Thai minister resigns amid cabinet disarray], 28 February 2007</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=117117 Pridiyathorn resigns as deputy PM, finance minister], 28 February 2007</ref>

Pridiyathorn was replaced by [[Chalongphob Sussangkarn]], an academic who led the [[Thailand Development Research Institute]].  Chalongphob had previously criticised the junta's capital controls policy.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/09/opinion/opinion_30028868.php Chalongphob a pro-market academic for a reeling economy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311214837/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/09/opinion/opinion_30028868.php |date=11 March 2007 }}, 9 March 2007</ref>

=== Policies ===
==== Telecommunications ====
* The planned merger of state-telecom companies [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]] and [[CAT Telecom|CAT]].<ref>''The Nation'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20070312142440/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/16/business/business_30016254.php Call for end to policy corruption], 16 October 2006</ref>
* The cancellation of plans to list [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]], [[CAT Telecom|CAT]], and Thai Post on the [[Stock Exchange of Thailand]].<ref>''The Nation'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20061104174034/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/28/business/business_30017353.php Sweeping changes in state telecom boards], 28 October 2006</ref>
* The cancellation of the Thaksin government's telecom excise tax policy. The Thaksin government imposed an excise tax on privately offered fixed and cellular services, and then allowed telecom companies to deduct the amount they paid in excise tax from concession fees they had to pay to state concession owners TOT or CAT Telecom. The total amount paid by the private telecom firms did not change. The Surayud government's excise tax cancellation meant that [[TOT (Thailand)|TOT]] and [[CAT Telecom|CAT]] would receive their full concession payments.  However, TOT and CAT were then forced to increase their dividends to the Ministry of Finance to account for their increased income.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/24/headlines/headlines_30024946.php Telecom excise tax revoked] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025095747/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/24/headlines/headlines_30024946.php |date=25 October 2007 }}, 24 January 2007</ref>
* Changing the publicly listed state-enterprise media company [[MCOT]]'s policy from focusing on monetary benefits to social benefits. MCOT's stock prices dropped 5.13% to an 11-month low as a result.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/04/business/business_30018020.php MCOT plunges on policy reversal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061124152251/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/04/business/business_30018020.php |date=24 November 2006 }}, 4 November 2006</ref>
* Surayud reversed policies many times regarding the fate of the [[iTV (Thailand)|iTV]] TV station. Surayud first announced that it intended to take over the station and promised that the station would not be taken off the air no matter what happened regarding its concession controversy. However, in early-March 2007, PM's Office Minister Dhipawadee Meksawan announced that the station would be taken off the air on midnight on 6 March 2007, following the cabinet's revocation of iTV's concession. Surayud apologised for not keeping his word.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/07/politics/politics_30028688.php 'Sorry' sight as govt bungles again] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309194632/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/07/politics/politics_30028688.php |date=9 March 2007 }}, 7 March 2007</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/07/headlines/headlines_30028698.php |title=iTV's last hope hinges on court decision |access-date=7 March 2007 |date=7 March 2007 |work=The Nation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309130041/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/07/headlines/headlines_30028698.php |archive-date=9 March 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28293 |title=Government pulls plug on Thailand's only private television station |access-date=7 March 2007 |date=7 March 2007 |website=MCOT }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Gov't orders iTV off air  | newspaper = Bangkok Post |volume=LXI |issue=66 |pages=Section 1, Page 1  |date=7 March 2007 }} (print edition)</ref>  Then on 7 March 2007, Surayud reversed his decision yet again and ordered that iTV continue broadcasting after the deadline had passed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thailand.prd.go.th/the_inside_view.php?id=1814 |title=Thailand Independent Television |access-date=9 March 2007 |date=8 March 2007 |website=Public Relations Department (Thailand)}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

==== Culture ====
* The planned ban against all forms of advertising for alcoholic beverages.<ref name="Nation_14Oct2006">''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/13/national/national_30016065.php Bt30 health fee may be scrapped] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031063056/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/13/national/national_30016065.php |date=31 October 2006 }}, 14 October 2006</ref>
* The banning of all "sexually arousing dances" (locally called "coyote dances") during the [[Loy Kratong]] festival.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017866 No 'coyote dances' for Loy Krathong: Culture Ministry] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929111718/http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017866 |date=29 September 2007 }}, 3 November 2006</ref>
* From March 2007 onwards, encouraging that all Thai citizens dress in yellow every day until 31 December 2007, in order to display loyalty to King [[Bhumibol]] and celebrate his 80th birthday.<ref>''Matichon'', 6 March 2007, page 11</ref><ref>''Thai Government Public Relations Department'', [http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255003130009 Culture Ministry campaigns for Thai people to wear Thai dresses once a week] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208203518/http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255003130009 |date=8 December 2008 }}, 4 April 2007</ref>
* Urging [[Chulalongkorn University]] to take action against its fourth-year psychology student Pemmika Veerachatraksit, for having broken university discipline by having an affair with another person's husband. ' The Culture Ministry claimed that as a student, being accused of having an adulterous affair should be taken as guilt. The student was sued for 27 million baht by Alisa Thomthitchong for allegedly having an affair with her husband, Dr Prakitpao Thomthitchong.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30029301 University must punish Pemmika says Culture Minister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317141211/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30029301 |date=17 March 2007 }}, 15 March 2007</ref>

==== Public health ====
* Making the 30-[[baht]] universal healthcare program completely free.<ref name="Nation_14Oct2006" />  The Budget Bureau criticised the move.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/31/national/national_30017578.php NHSO backs plan to ditch Bt30 fee] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930011010/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/31/national/national_30017578.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 31 October 2006</ref>  The government later cut the universal healthcare program budget by over 3.8 billion [[baht]], providing a subsidy of just 1,899 baht per head, compared to the previously proposed figure of 2,089 baht.  The number of eligible people was cut from 48 million to 46 million people.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/20Dec2006_news11.php Alarm overB3.8bn slash to healthcare], 20 December 2006</ref>  Funding for the program was diverted from the government's road-accident victims' protection fund.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30029987 Road accident fund to be shifted to universal health care fund] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326104156/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30029987 |date=26 March 2007 }}, 22 March 2007</ref>
* Licensed the production and sale of patented HIV and heart disease drugs without the permission of the foreign patent owners.  Lack of public health budget was cited as the reasons for breaking the patents.  "It has stunned our industry," said the president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PReMA). The Minister of Public Health claimed that pharmaceutical industry was reaping "colossal" profits. Under World Trade Organization rules, a government is allowed to break patents under after declaring a "national emergency."<ref>''Scientific American'', [http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa001&articleID=C9BD2D5F2FB6CEA41198DC6A2F817331 Thailand stuns drug firms with generic licenses]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 25 January 2007</ref>  Breaking the patents of [[Abbott Laboratories|Abbott]]'s HIV treatment [[Kaletra]] and [[Sanofi-Aventis]]' blood clot drug [[Plavix]] was estimated to save Thailand US$24 million a year.<ref>''Motley Fool'', [http://www.fool.com/investing/high-growth/2007/01/31/youre-only-hurting-yourself-thailand.aspx You're Only Hurting Yourself, Thailand], 31 January 2007</ref>  [[Abbott Laboratories]] said it would stop launching new medicines in Thailand in protest at the junta's move to override international drug patents. "Thailand has chosen to break patents on numerous medicines, ignoring the patent system. As such, we've elected not to introduce new medicines there," an Abbott spokesperson told reporters.  The seven withdrawn drugs include the new version of Kaletra, an [[antibiotic]], a [[painkiller]] and medicines to fight [[blood clot]]s, [[arthritis]], [[kidney disease]] and [[high blood pressure]].<ref>''Scientific American'', [http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=0F4F778E61D44558C6F448A9CD313B08 Angered U.S. firm excludes Thailand from new drugs]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 14 March 2007</ref>
* The junta joined [[Indonesia]] in a [[boycott]] on sharing its [[H5N1]] [[avian influenza]] virus samples with vaccine developers and the international health community. Surayud's Public Health Minister told reporters that "Drugmakers rarely help us. They only gave us a small amount of vaccine, just like a donation." Thailand had 25 H5N1 cases and 17 deaths since 2003, ranking it the fourth hardest hit country by the avian flu.  Indonesia stopped sharing its H5N1 samples with the [[World Health Organization|WHO]] at the end of 2006 since the strains were being used to develop vaccines that the country couldn't afford.<ref>''CIDRAP News'', [http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/mar2207thailand.html Thailand joins Indonesia in withholding H5N1 strains], 22 March 2007</ref><ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/22Mar2007_news17.php Govt backs Jakarta in bird flu row], 21 March 2007</ref>
* Thailand's representative to the [[World Health Organization]] (also special advisor to the public health minister), Dr [[Suwit Wibulpolprasert]] said that during an executive board meeting of the WHO in January, Dr Suwit,  declared that if an influenza pandemic were to hit Thailand, he would advise the government to hold Western tourists hostage until those countries gave Thailand the necessary vaccines.  The US government has lodged a formal protest letter and requested an apology.  US Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt wrote that Dr Suwit's comments "appear to contravene the spirit and provisions of the revised International Health Regulations."<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.aegis.com/news/bp/2007/BP070305.html Editorial: Bird flu distracts from real killers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930180545/http://www.aegis.com/news/bp/2007/BP070305.html |date=30 September 2007 }}, 17 March 2007</ref>
* [[Human Rights Watch]] and the Thai [[AIDS]] Treatment Action Group claimed that the Surayud junta failed to provide safe treatment for drug users infected with [[HIV]], and did not effectively promote [[harm reduction techniques]] to stop the spread of the virus.<ref>''International Herald Tribune'', [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/29/asia/AS-GEN-Thailand-AIDS.php Report: Thailand's status as pioneer in war on HIV imperiled by attitude toward drug users], 29 November 2007</ref>

==== Energy ====
* The indefinite delay of the previous government's policy of converting all [[octane]] 95 [[gasoline]] sales to [[gasohol]].<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30016599 Energy minister says abolition of octane-95 oil sale to be indefinitely delayed] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023231249/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30016599 |date=23 October 2006 }}, 20 October 2006</ref>
* The cancellation of state electricity company [[EGAT]]'s guaranteed 50% share in all new power plant construction.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/Business/09Nov2006_biz35.php Ministry to cancel Egat's 50% promise]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 9 November 2006</ref>
* The prevention of EGAT from participating in bidding for new electricity plants under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) program.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/Business/16Dec2006_biz46.php Egat will not be invited to IPP bids]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 16 December 2006</ref>
* The cancellation of plans to import hydroelectric power and natural gas from [[Myanmar]].<ref name="AsiaTimes" />
* The development of a US$6 billion [[nuclear power plant]].  The 4,000 megawatt plant would be Thailand's first.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/k1x8k4m9r3eeh Egat to build $6bn nuclear plant], 12 June 2007</ref>  The government announced that it would start a large public relations program, starting with kindergarten children, of "educating" the public about how nuclear power was unavoidable.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.palangthai.org/en/story/82 Coal and nuclear PR could start in schools] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823125116/http://www.palangthai.org/en/story/82 |date=23 August 2007 }}, 22 March 2007</ref>

==== Security and the southern insurrection ====
* An increase in military spending by 35% in 2007, compared to 2006.<ref>[http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/05/politics/politics_30031147.php Junta at risk of a backlash over lucrative benefits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422193454/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/05/politics/politics_30031147.php |date=22 April 2007 }}, 5 April 2007</ref>  The budget for 2008 totalled 140 billion baht, 24% higher than 2007 and representing 8.6% of the total 2008 budget.<ref name="2008 budget">''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/b1o9s2r3r5kqs New budget unveiled]</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/28/politics/politics_30037960.php Military spending to soar a further 24%] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930050716/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/28/politics/politics_30037960.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 28 June 2007</ref>  Since 1999, military spending had remained stagnant at approximately $2 billion in 2000 dollars.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/01/national/national_30017701.php 'Under-strength' military expecting funds] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929150545/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/01/national/national_30017701.php |date=29 September 2007 }}, 2 November 2006</ref><ref>''Australia Defence Intelligence Organisation'', [http://www.defence.gov.au/dio/documents/det2004.pdf Defense Economic Trends in Asia-Pacific 2004]</ref>  In addition, Surayud received an extra request for an additional 17.6 billion baht to fund counter-insurgency efforts in the far South over the next four years on top of an additional 456-million-baht secret military budget.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/News/28Jun2007_news01.php Military puts in B18bn request]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 28 June 2007</ref>
* Issuing a formal apology regarding [[South Thailand insurgency#Tak Bai incident|the Tak Bai incident]].<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/04/headlines/headlines_30018061.php Warrants soon in Somchai 'murder' case] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061124155201/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/04/headlines/headlines_30018061.php |date=24 November 2006 }}, 4 November 2006</ref>  The day after he issued his apology, 46 violent incidents were recorded, compared with a daily average of 9 in the previous month.  Violence continued to escalate throughout 2006 and 2007.<ref>''International Herald Tribune'', [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/19/news/thai.php Southern Thai towns increasingly rely on militias], 19 March 2007</ref>
* Revealing for the first time to the public that [[South Thailand insurgency|the insurgency]] was being finance by a network of restaurants and stalls selling [[Tom Yam Kung]] in [[Malaysia]].  Surayud claimed that the Tom Yam Kung network collected money from local businessmen through blackmail and demands for protection fees and channelled the sum to the separatists.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/21/headlines/headlines_30019561.php Tam Yam Kung networks in Malaysia finance insurgents: PM] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930010803/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/21/headlines/headlines_30019561.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 21 November 2006</ref>  Malaysian Deputy Security Minister [[Fu Ah Kiow]] described the revelation as "absolutely baseless," and "very imaginative."<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/22/headlines/headlines_30019679.php Not all Tom Yam Kung restaurants fund insurgency: Interior] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930050509/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/22/headlines/headlines_30019679.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 22 November 2006</ref>
* Surayud's Cabinet gave the staff of the [[Internal Security Operations Command]] an 84.3 million baht "reward".  The ISOC had originally requested the reward in 2003, but was turned down by the Thaksin government.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/v1l9r8e4s9evv Cabinet backs B84.3m in Isoc 'rewards' ], 23 July 2007</ref>
* Appointing [[Seripisut Temiyavet]] as Police Commissioner General, replacing [[Kowit Watana]].  Kowit was transferred to a civilian post soon after arresting several military personnel for alleged involvement in the [[2006 Bangkok New Year's Eve bombings]].  Kowit protested his transfer, and the Central Administrative Court later an [[injunction]] to protect him from the transfer until it reached a final ruling on the matter.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/21/politics/politics_30037455.php Court blocks Kowit move] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930005723/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/21/politics/politics_30037455.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 21 June 2007</ref>
* Allowing the Malaysian government to help mediate in the [[South Thailand insurgency]], contradicting a statement by Foreign Minister [[Nitya Pibulsonggram]] made just 2 days before.<ref>AFP, [https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070214/wl_asia_afp/thailandsouthunrest_070214161124 Thailand's FM denies plan for Malaysia to mediate with insurgents], 14 February 2007</ref>

====Education====
* The cancellation of Thailand's participation in the [[One Laptop Per Child]] (OLPC) program.<ref name="Education Ministry axes 3 schemes">''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/News/28Nov2006_news04.php Education Ministry axes 3 schemes]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 28 November 2006</ref> The project has been criticised as unrealistic for an impoverished country like Thailand.<ref>Wikipedia, [[One Laptop Per Child#Good use of money]], OLPD Criticism</ref>
* The cancellation of plans to install personal computers and [[broadband]] internet connections in every public and secondary school in Thailand.<ref name="Education Ministry axes 3 schemes"/>
* Forcing 430 prestigious schools across the country to accept half of their students from the local neighbourhood.  All other schools would be required to accept all applicants; if applicants exceeded seats, a random draw would choose which applicants would be accepted.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30018847 Famous schools ordered to take in half of new students from neighbourhood] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929124837/http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30018847 |date=29 September 2007 }}, 14 November 2006</ref>
* The continuation of the [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] government's "One District, One Scholarship" program under the name "[[Scholarships for Community Development]]".  The maximum annual income for eligible recipients' families was raised from 100,000 [[baht]] to 150,000 [[baht]].<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/05/national/national_30023330.php Scholarship scheme to continue] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930030123/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/05/national/national_30023330.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 5 January 2007</ref>
* The proposed cancellation of the guarantee of 12 years of free education in the [[2007 Constitution of Thailand|next constitution of Thailand]].<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/01/headlines/headlines_30028244.php No promise of free basic education in charter: Education Ministry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303161342/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/01/headlines/headlines_30028244.php |date=3 March 2007 }}, 1 March 2007</ref>

====Economy and agriculture====
* A [[budget deficit]] of 147 billion [[Baht]] for fiscal year 2007.  This was the first budget deficit since 2003.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/15/headlines/headlines_30018962.php Massive loss from Thaksin projects] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115022430/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/15/headlines/headlines_30018962.php |date=15 November 2006 }}, 16 November 2006</ref>  Fiscal deficits were also expected for 2008.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/k1e1p8p0m7vjh Deficit to continue into fiscal 2008], 17 February 2007</ref> The Deficit expanded to 168 billion baht in 2008.  The junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly passed the budget unanimously.  The deficit would be funded by domestic borrowing.<ref name="2008 budget" /><ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/j1v9j2v5x2cth Govt takes flak for its '08 budget], 5 July 2007</ref>
* Capital controls in an attempt to reverse a massive appreciation of the Thai Baht.  The moves caused a crash in the Thai stock market, with a one-day loss of 820 billion [[baht]] (approx. US$22 billion) in market value.  The move resulted in harsh criticism both within Thailand and abroad.  "My definition of what's going on is 'Welcome to amateur hour,'" said Donald Gimbel, fund manager for Carret & Co.  [[Korn Chatikavanij]] of the Democrat party noted a policy reversal, "That can't repair the damage that was caused in one historic day."<ref>Bloomberg, [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aNHJkVP9TpXA&refer=home Thailand's Rules Retreat Won't Halt Investor Backlash], 20 December 2006</ref>  The Export-Import Bank of Thailand also criticised the capital controls.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/p1x4k5n1r5ire Exim Bank raps central bank policy], 28 March 2007</ref>
* Elimination of subsidies for rice farmers.  The price of rice, set at 30% above market prices during the deposed [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] government, was dramatically lowered.  It was claimed that the high price of rice seriously affected farmers and caused social burdens.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/10/headlines/headlines_30018585.php Pridiyathorn explains sufficiency economy concept to investors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070923135913/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/10/headlines/headlines_30018585.php |date=23 September 2007 }}, 10 November 2006</ref>
* The cancellation of the Million Cows project.  Under the project, the government lent five million cows to one million farming families.  The families were allowed to sell milk and calves for profit.  The program was highly popular among politicians.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/News/29Nov2006_news03.php Ministry scraps one-million-cows project]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 29 November 2006</ref>
* The rebranding of Thaksin Shinawatra's "SML" village development scheme as the "sufficiency village development scheme."  Villagers wishing to draw down funds under the scheme were now required to draft projects based on the King's [[self-sufficient economy]] principles.  The self-sufficiency scheme was given a budget of 10 billion [[baht]].<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=116771 Cabinet replaces Thaksin's SML policy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015163837/http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=116771 |date=15 October 2007 }}, 13 February 2007</ref>
* The cancellation of the Assets Capitalisation Bureau, the administrator of the Thaksin-government's asset capitalisation program.  The program allowed people owning assets not accepted by banks as collateral (e.g., machinery, intellectual property rights, or land rental rights) to [[Capital expenditure|capitalise]] those assets and get loans.  According to the government, the abolition of the Assets Capitalisation Bureau was based on its policy not to encourage people to go into debt.  Critics claimed the program was cancelled due to its association with the deposed premier.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/12/national/national_30026590.php Small business backs scheme] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921135434/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/12/national/national_30026590.php |date=21 September 2007 }}, 12 February 2007</ref>
* To punish [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] for his [[Shin Corp sale|sale of Shin Corp to a Singaporean company]], Surayud altered regulations concerning foreign ownership of companies.<ref>Times Online, [Thai anxiety [https://web.archive.org/web/20081013141831/http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/overseas/article1294189.ece]], 21 January 2007</ref>  This impacted the legality of thousands of local subsidiaries of foreign companies operating in Thailand.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115830 Foreign businesses await law change] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207110425/http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115830 |date=7 December 2008 }}, 7 January 2007</ref>  However, Finance Minister Pridiyathorn noted that, "If they (foreign investors) had seen the details (of the foreign investment law), I am sure that they would be happy."<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/09/headlines/headlines_30023662.php Thailand to limit foreign stake in firms to 50 per cent] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111063405/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/09/headlines/headlines_30023662.php |date=11 January 2007 }}, 9 January 2007</ref><ref>Bloomberg, [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=apnV.j9kiuXc&refer=home Thailand Tightens Overseas Investment Rules, Caps], 9 January 2007</ref>  Brokers and analysts criticised the move as a political intervention that hurt the economy.<ref>Asia Sentinel, [http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=337&Itemid=32 Thailand Moves Against Foreign Firms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927211521/http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=337&Itemid=32 |date=27 September 2007 }}, 10 January 2007</ref>  The governments of the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, and European Union protested the move.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/10/headlines/headlines_30026486.php Reconsider amendment, envoys urge] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211191515/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/10/headlines/headlines_30026486.php |date=11 February 2007 }}, 10 February 2007</ref>
* Reversing the Thaksin government's "dual track" economic policy and relying too heavily on exports.  Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras admitted that the Surayud government was not doing enough to stimulate domestic consumption to drive economic growth.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/e1o6n2l3h6vbw Kosit says domestic consumption overlooked], 30 April 2007</ref>
* The approval of debt-relief measures for farmers.  This prompted Northeastern farmer leaders from cancelling a planned protests in Bangkok.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30024286 Cabinet approves debt-relief measures for farmers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118171013/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30024286 |date=18 January 2007 }}, 17 January 2007</ref>
* Surayud appointed Thaksin-government Finance Minister [[Somkid Jatusripitak]] to head of a government committee charged with promoting King [[Bhumibol]]'s [[self-sufficient economy]] policy to a foreign audience.  The appointment provoked great controversy, as critics claimed that the populist economics czar had no role promoting a key principle of the Surayud-government's economic policy.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/18/national/national_30027159.php More flak over role for Somkid] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195305/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/18/national/national_30027159.php |date=3 March 2016 }}, 18 February 2007</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30027069 Banharn criticises Surayud for appointing Somkid as economic envoy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207095348/http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30027069 |date=7 December 2008 }}, 18 February 2007</ref>  Somkid appointment was supported by General [[Saprang Kalyanamitr]], a powerful member of the junta, and [[Sondhi Limthongkul]] of the [[People's Alliance for Democracy]], a long-time colleague of Somkid's.  Somkid later decided to resign from the committee, which was then dissolved.  Somkid's long-time rival, Finance Minister [[Pridiyathorn Devakula]], denied any role in Somkid's resignation.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/o1b1p3x7t7sax Pridiyathorn: No need to replace Somkid], 21 February 2007</ref>
* The junta, blaming the Thaksin government's lending to the grassroots sector for creating off-balance sheet government debts, cut off rural lending.  However, it soon faced an economic slowdown, and decided to increase rural lending in order to revive the economy.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/03/national/national_30033268.php Lotteries move lacks understanding] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930032013/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/03/national/national_30033268.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 3 May 2007</ref>
* Surayud's Cabinet approved a draft bill that would ban the privatisation of several state enterprises, including the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Metropolitan Water Works Authority (MWWA), the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly, and the Government Lottery Office.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/u1n8d7y9b3fan The end of privatisation?], 19 June 2007</ref>
* After the coup, Surayud announced that all free trade agreement negotiation and drafting be immediately stopped.  However, in February 2007, it gave the go-ahead for the [[Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement]] (JTEPA).  The policy U-turn was criticised by many, including Saneh Chamarik of the National Human Rights Commission, Kraisak Choonhavan, [[Greenpeace]] Southeast Asia, [[FTA Watch]].<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/p1k1k5l3g3hso Analysis: Seeking Japan's approval via rushed trade pact], 23 February 2007</ref>  The Surayud government was charged with policy corruption.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/02/national/national_30030859.php Signing of FTA is like policy corruption, NGOs tell govt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513093536/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/02/national/national_30030859.php |date=13 May 2007 }}, 2 April 2007</ref> The [[Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement|JTEPA]] was finally signed on 3 April 2007, in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]].<ref>''The Star'', Malaysia, [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/3/apworld/20070403194811&sec=apworld Japan, Thailand sign free trade agreement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207081410/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F4%2F3%2Fapworld%2F20070403194811&sec=apworld |date=7 December 2008 }}, 4 April 2007</ref><ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/topstories/topstories.php?id=117856 Japan FTA will liberalise 90 pct of bilateral trade], 4 April 2007</ref>  Protests against the FTA were held at the Japanese embassy in Bangkok.<ref>IHT, [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/03/business/fta.php Japanese cabinet approves free trade pact with Thailand], 3 April 2007</ref>
* Surayud declared that all mobile phone contracts with the government were illegal.  The concessions would be renegotiated within a few months, before the military junta was scheduled to hold elections.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/d1u7h3c1j1mmp All mobile phone concessions ruled illegal], 21 May 2007</ref>
* Surayud approved a draft retail business law which gave the Interior Ministry power to curb the expansion of large retailers through its city planning and building codes.  The move is part of a set of measures proposed by the Commerce Ministry to halt the rapid expansion of giant retailers, which interest groups blamed for causing the demise of thousands of "mom and pop" stores.  However, the president of Thai Retailers Association said that the new retail law would "damage the sentiment and confidence" in the Thai economy, which could cause a domino effect on employment, manufacturing and public spending.  "The Cabinet has stepped back to allow 'old traders' in many areas to continue to monopolise the market instead of creating more choices for the consumer," he said.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/09/headlines/headlines_30033752.php Retail law wins backing from Cabinet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510044835/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/09/headlines/headlines_30033752.php |date=10 May 2007 }}, 9 May 2007</ref>
* Surayud's economic policies failed to stem a slowdown of the economy.  In the last quarter of 2006, the economy expanded 3.9%, a drop from the 4.7% recorded before the coup. Applications to build new factories and other facilities dropped 24% in 2006.<ref>The Japan Times, [http://pages.citebite.com/c1e2f5e9n3mly Thailand's troubles continue], 7 March 2007</ref>  In February 2007, Thai [[consumer confidence]] fell to the lowest point in 5 years.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30028809 Thai consumer confidence plunges to five-year low] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312141944/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30028809 |date=12 March 2007 }}, 8 March 2007</ref>  Consumer confidence continued its decline in March.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/13/business/business_30031790.php Consumer confidence at lowest level for five years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501021309/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/13/business/business_30031790.php |date=1 May 2007 }}, 13 April 2007</ref>  Private sector non-bank foreign debt rose for the first time in 6 years.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/09/business/business_30031441.php First rise in foreign debt for six years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422031450/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/09/business/business_30031441.php |date=22 April 2007 }}, 9 April 2007</ref>  Thailand's competitiveness dropped to among the worst in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the Switzerland-based [[Institute for Management Development]].<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/q1q6p7a1h8lih Thai competitiveness ranking falls yet again], 10 May 2007</ref>

====Suvarnabhumi Airport====
Surayud ordered the reopening [[Don Muang Airport]] for domestic and international flights.  This decision came after allegations that the newly opened [[Suvarnabhumi Airport]] alone was incapable of handling future traffic volume and that the airport was unsafe.  The decision met with strong opposition from [[Airports of Thailand]], the Civil Aviation Department, the Board of Airline Representatives in Thailand (BAR), the [[International Air Transport Association]] (IATA), the [[Thai Airways International]] labour union, and many domestic and international airlines, including [[Thai Airways International|Thai Airways]] and the [[Star Alliance]].<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/10/headlines/headlines_30026485.php THAI union opposes shift to Don Muang] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212020731/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/10/headlines/headlines_30026485.php |date=12 February 2007 }}, 10 February 2007</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/10/business/business_30026459.php Stick to one airport, govt told] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212095758/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/10/business/business_30026459.php |date=12 February 2007 }}, 10 February 2007</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20070210074923/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/08/opinion/opinion_30026265.php Making the best out of airport debacle], 8 February 2007</ref>  60 airlines threatened to halt flights to Thailand if they were forced to move back to Don Muang airport.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/News/16Feb2007_news04.php PM: I'll sort out new airport myself]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 16 February 2007</ref><ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/topstories/topstories.php?id=116869 Airlines adamant about staying at Suvarnabhumi] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220070418/http://bangkokpost.net/topstories/topstories.php?id=116869 |date=20 February 2007 }}, 17 February 2007</ref>

A two-week investigation led by [[Tortrakul Yomnak]], a chief engineer for [[Airports of Thailand]] and prominent supporter of the anti-Thaksin movement, found that the runway was safe, and that cracks could be repaired in as little as a few hours.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/15/politics/politics_30026933.php Competent pilot wanted] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217053542/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/15/politics/politics_30026933.php |date=17 February 2007 }}, 15 February 2007</ref>  At the beginning of the investigation, Tortrakul had warned that the airport might need to be closed for three years.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/topstories/topstories.php?id=116749 Suvarnabhumi runway declared safe] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028221943/http://bangkokpost.net/topstories/topstories.php?id=116749 |date=28 October 2007 }}, 12 February 2007</ref>  However, Admiral [[Bannawit Keng-rien]], chairman of the National Legislative Assembly's airport committee, urged Surayud to close down Suvarnabhumi.  Surayud's decision to reopen Don Muang was based on his personal advisors, without waiting for the Ministry of Transport or Airports of Thailand to finish their studies.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/topstories/topstories.php?id=116644 And then there were two airports] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319063803/http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/topstories.php?id=116644 |date=19 March 2008 }}, 7 February 2007</ref>

A completed study by the [[Airports of Thailand|AoT]] showed that the cost of fixing 60 identified problems at the airport would be less than 1% of the total airline cost and the problems could be fixed in up to four to five years.  Dr. Narupol Chaiyut, a member of a committee overseeing service problems at the new airport, estimated that 70% of the problems would be fixed within 2007.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/Business/16Feb2007_biz42.php B1bn needed to fix terminal problems over four to five years]{{dead link|date=July 2016 |bot=Cyberbot II |fix-attempted=yes }}, 16 February 2007</ref>

Surayud and AoT Chairman General [[Saprang Kalayanamitr]] refused to authorise urgent repairs on the airport tarmac, despite warnings from engineers.  Karun Chandrarangsu, president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand (and a close relative to Srisuk Chandrarangsu, who was a former AOT board member, which was implicated in several corruption allegations, such as CTX and King Power scandals, and now being investigated{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}) noted, "Suvarnabhumi is like a patient in a coma who continues to suffer from severe bleeding. Stopping the blood flow now is more urgent and important than debating what caused the injury."<ref>''The Nation'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20070219023316/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/17/headlines/headlines_30027125.php 'Can we get to work please?'], 17 February 2007</ref>  The Engineering Institute of Thailand sent a formal warning to AoT in November 2006 about the urgent need to drain water from beneath the tarmac, and that immediate action should be taken.  "The AOT did nothing about the problem," Suebsak Promboon of the EIT noted. "The situation might not have become this bad if the water had been drained then."  [[Suebsak Promboon]], a senior foundation engineer and a member of the [[Tortrakul Yomnak]]-led airport tarmac inspection panel, accused the AOT of refusing to take any actions to solve the problems at the airport.<ref>''The Nation'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20070225134443/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/23/national/national_30027658.php AOT staff stalling urgent repairs: engineer], 23 February 2007</ref>

====Human rights====
* [[Censorship in Thailand|Censorship of broadcast television]].  Troops were dispatched to all television stations on the night of the coup and remain there as of late December 2006.  An interview with the late [[Nuamthong Phaiwan]] broadcast by television channel [[iTV (Thailand)|ITV]] came to an abrupt end after the Director of Army-owned [[Royal Thai Army Radio and Television]] called the station to warn them against the broadcast.  Additional troops were dispatched to "keep order" at the station.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/02/headlines/headlines_30017813.php Taxi driver 'sacrificed himself for democracy'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121184910/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/02/headlines/headlines_30017813.php |date=21 January 2007 }}, 2 November 2006</ref> Broadcast media were to stop airing news about former prime minister [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] and his associates.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115911 CNS to get tough with broadcast media] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028222223/http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115911 |date=28 October 2007 }}, 10 January 2007</ref>  Military control over broadcast television was tighter than at any time in the past 15 years.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/h1l5y4t1x1xed Virtue never can be bought], 16 April 2007</ref>
* Censorship of [[community radio]].  Thousands of community radio stations were shut down after the coup.  Community radio operators were only allowed to rebroadcast if they reported in the "spirit of national unity."  The junta retained the authority to shut down any station at any time.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/20/politics/politics_30022031.php Broadcasters may be manipulated, experts warn] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930032104/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/20/politics/politics_30022031.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 20 December 2006</ref>
* Massive censorship of the [[internet]].  Pre-coup, the government blocked 2,475 websites, while as of January 2007, the government blocked 13,435 websites—an increase of a shade under 443%.<ref>[http://facthai.wordpress.com/2007/02/05/rsf-thailand-annual-report-2007/#comments RSF: Thailand - Annual report 2007]</ref>  In addition, the popular Midnight University web board was shut down for what the government claimed were posts offensive to the monarchy.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', The Role of the Monarchy in Censorship, 28 July  2006</ref>  Numerous anti-coup, anti-junta, and pro-Thaksin websites were blocked.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/02/national/national_30035812.php Pro-Thaksin websites to remain] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611143530/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/02/national/national_30035812.php |date=11 June 2007 }}, 2 June 2007</ref>
* Strict execution of the CNS's ban against all political activities.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/03/politics/politics_30028403.php Politicking:Ban must be 'strictly followed'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306044243/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/03/politics/politics_30028403.php |date=6 March 2007 }}, 3 March 2007</ref>
* The establishment of a 14,000-strong special operations force with a mandate to control anti-[[Council for National Security|junta]] protests.  The 556 million [[baht]] fund allocation came from a request by the [[Council for National Security]].  The rapid deployment force began operations on 1 December 2006.  Surayud refused to explain why his Cabinet approved funding of the force after it had already started, which was contrary to PM's Office directives.  Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp promised that the force would be dissolved on 30 September 2007, along with the CNS.  The funds would be diverted from the Defense Ministry and Police Office, but if those two agencies lacked funding, they would be diverted from the government's reserve fund for emergency situations.  Yongyuth revealed that no Cabinet members questioned the use of the fund.  General [[Saprang Kallayanamit]], assistant Secretary-General of the CNS, was appointed Commander of the force.<ref>''The Nation'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20070106202517/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/27/headlines/headlines_30022635.php Secret military division deployed], 27 December 2006</ref><ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/News/27Dec2006_news03.php CNS to have own B500m peace-keeping force] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725162347/http://bangkokpost.net/News/27Dec2006_news03.php |date=25 July 2015 }}, 27 December 2006</ref>
* Arresting and impeding anti-coup/anti-junta protesters.  Several arrests occurred in the immediate aftermath of the coup.  On 15 March 2007, five political activists were arrested in Sanam Luang and their stage demolished.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30029383 Anti-coup activists arrested at Sanam Luang] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318161826/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30029383 |date=18 March 2007 }}, 15 March 2007</ref>  The government also violently cracked down on protesters at the house of [[Prem Tinsulanonda]], and arrested several protesters, including an interim National Human Rights Commissioner and former chief justice of the Criminal Court.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=120389Bangko Six protesters held], 23 July 2007</ref><ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/t1h9i9w8o2ovt Protests flare as UDD leaders are locked up], 27 July 2007</ref>  Afterwards, Surayud, along with his entire Cabinet, went to Prem's house to apologise to him for "apologise for failing to take good care of him."  Surayud accused the protesters of trying to "bring down the highest institution of the country."<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/25/headlines/headlines_30042335.php PM says sorry to Prem over mob violence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929145910/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/25/headlines/headlines_30042335.php |date=29 September 2007 }}, July 2007</ref>
* Surayud defended the detention of Chiang Mai protester Sombat Boonngarm-anong (head of the Midnight University) after he criticised the junta and the Surayud government in public.  Sombat was not allowed to make any phone calls during his detention and was only allowed to receive a phone call from former Chiang Rai Senator Tuanjai Deethet. He also said the military did not allow him to drink anything during his detention.  Sombat claimed that the director of Phitsanulok Military Intelligence told him he had committed a crime against the state by disseminating one-sided information to the public and was liable for the death penalty under Article 116 of the Criminal Code.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/09/politics/politics_30039916.php Chiang Mai academics slam junta over activist's arrest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117145200/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/09/politics/politics_30039916.php |date=17 November 2007 }}, 9 July 2007</ref>
* Censorship and manipulation of the media.  The government cancelled the most popular program on state-owned broadcaster's MCOT's Modernine TV, Khui Khui Khao.  The anti-Thaksin movement claimed the program's host, prominent political commentator Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda, was a supporter of the overthrown premier.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/21/politics/politics_30019535.php Weera calls for probe into MCOT and TV host] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222070816/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/21/politics/politics_30019535.php |date=22 February 2007 }}, 21 November 2006</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/09/business/business_30021084.php Exit of popular shows to hurt MCOT] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213060243/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/09/business/business_30021084.php |date=13 February 2007 }}, 9 December 2006</ref>  A daily slot was given for anti-Thaksin crusader [[Sondhi Limthongkul]]'s "Yam Fao Paen Din", a show that media reformers called a junta "propaganda tool."  [[Lèse majesté in Thailand|Lese majeste]] charges against Sondhi filed prior to the coup were dropped, admittedly for no legal reason.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/19/politics/politics_30027228.php Junta accused of exploiting news media] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222212603/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/19/politics/politics_30027228.php |date=22 February 2007 }}, 19 February 2007</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017954 Charge against Sonthi dropped] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929083555/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017954 |date=29 September 2007 }}, 19 February 2007</ref>  Seri Wongmontha and Boonyod Sukthintai, both prominent members of the anti-Thaksin [[People's Alliance for Democracy]], were given program slots.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/i1h2c7l2m8onq Goings on at Channel 9], 8 March 2007</ref>
<!--[[File:22July7.jpg|thumb|left|Anti-junta protesters after a government crackdown, 22 July 2007]]-->
* Censoring nationalised television station [[iTV (Thailand)|TITV]].  TITV was ordered not to produce any news reports that ran counter to government policies.  Government officials attended all news briefing to make sure no news content conflicted with the junta's interests.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/23/national/national_30037620.php 'Govt gag' provokes workers at TITV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626031509/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/23/national/national_30037620.php |date=26 June 2007 }}, 23 June 2007</ref>
* Forbidding motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok and adjacent provinces from participating in anti-coup/anti-junta rallies.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/a1p8k9m0x2aso City police chief bans motorcycle taxi drivers from anti-CNS rally], 23 June 2007</ref>  Thousands of members of the Assembly of the Poor (AOP) were also prevented by military and government officials from boarding buses from their home provinces to stage demonstrations in Bangkok.  Authorities cited the lack of paper permit required under martial law (still in effect in more than 30 provinces at the time of the planned protests).<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30038247 Some 1,000 villagers prevented from catching buses to Bangkok] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704175346/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30038247 |date=4 July 2007 }}</ref>
* Surayud's ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom claimed that criticising the president of the [[Privy Council (Thailand)|Privy Council]] was a threat to national security, justifying the shutdown of any websites containing critical material.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/15/headlines/headlines_30031904.php Sitthichai gets no kick from the Net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501083841/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/15/headlines/headlines_30031904.php |date=1 May 2007 }}, 15 April 2007</ref>
* The Surayud government pushed through a cyber crime law that criminalised any attempt to get around government internet censors to access any of the tens of thousands of sites censored for supposedly moral or political purposes.  The law also made it a serious crime for service providers to withhold [[IP address]]es from government requests.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/j1m6f7i1b7afp Thailand gets new cyber crime law], 10 May 2007</ref>
* The approval of a law that would imprison anyone found guilty of forwarding a pornographic e-mail for up to three years.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', 3 Years in Jail for a Porn Email, 16 November 2006</ref>
* The shutdown of a radio station that broadcast a call-in from deposed Premier Thaksin.  Thaksin made what was his first post-coup statement on Thai broadcast media on 16 May 2007 when he called into Bangkok's 87.75FM and 92.75FM community radio stations.  The next day, officials from the junta, the government's Public Relations Department (PRD), and the [[Internal Security Operations Command]] inspected the community radio station.  The station then went off the air.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/t1e7c1c2q9rea After Thaksin calls, officials drop by], May 2007</ref>
* The arrest of anti-junta White Dove 2000 protesters in Chiang Mai in May 2007.  The protesters claimed that they had sought permission from the Deputy Governor and the Third Army Region Commander to use the demonstration site.  Military officials claimed that the protesters had documents and CDs with content that was deemed likely to instigate political conflict.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/19/national/national_30034613.php White Dove members held ahead of Chiang Mai rally] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930004649/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/19/national/national_30034613.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 19 May 2007</ref>
* The establishment of a 700,000 strong network of junta supporters to prevent anti-junta demonstrators from allegedly inciting violence.  "The idea is to take out as many as possible prospective demonstrators. In a public rally with less than 50,000 participants, there will be no problem," said the head of the [[Internal Security Operations Center|ISOC]].<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/21/headlines/headlines_30034736.php Govt in move to head off violence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523073347/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/21/headlines/headlines_30034736.php |date=23 May 2007 }}, 21 May 2007</ref>
* The repeal of junta restrictions against organising protests on 9 November 2006.  However, martial law has been lifted in most of the country.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30018522  NLA revokes ban on demonstrations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231718/http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30018522 |date=26 September 2007 }}, 12 November 2006</ref>
* Censorship of [[Somtow Sucharitkul]]'s opera ''Ayodhya''.  It was thought that the on-stage death of the demon-king, Thotsakan, would constitute a bad omen.  Somtow, a harsh critic of the deposed Prime Minister [[Thaksin Shinawatra]], criticised the move but agreed to modify the scene.<ref>International Herald Tribune, ''Governed by Omens'', 18 November 2006</ref><ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/16/opinion/opinion_30019095.php Why artistic freedom matters] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930004310/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/16/opinion/opinion_30019095.php |date=30 September 2007 }}, 17 November 2006</ref>
* 15 January 2007: The military government has censored the interview of Thaksin Shinawatra on CNN in Thailand.<ref>[http://facthai.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/pull-thaksin-cnn-interview "Thai generals pull plug on Thaksin CNN interview"], FACT - Freedom Against Censorship Thailand</ref>

====Other====
* The granting of unprecedented salaries for the leaders of the military junta.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/08/politics/politics_30018384.php Junta gets fat-cat allowances] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104123040/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/08/politics/politics_30018384.php |date=4 January 2007 }}, 8 November 2006</ref><ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=114095 Minister testy over 'coup rewards' crack], 8 November 2006</ref>
* Expanding Bangkok's mass transit rail network by 5 new routes, using the same amount as budgeted by the deposed Thaksin government.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/06/business/business_30018162.php Govt set to unveil 5 rapid rail lines] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115133702/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/06/business/business_30018162.php |date=15 November 2006 }}, 6 November 2006</ref>
* On Friday 18 May 2007, Surayud claimed that if the country were politically peaceful, generations elections under a new constitution could be held earlier than 16 or 23 December.  On Saturday 19 May 2007, he claimed he had misspoken, and said it would be impossible to hold general elections before mid-December.  He noted that he had just realised that earlier elections would conflict with preparations for King Bhumibol's 80th birthday celebrations on 5 December.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/l1y7t2x2u4ikn PM reverses; polls will not be early], 19 May 2007</ref>
* Submitting draft legislation that would force children from age one to apply for and carry [[identification card]]s to the legislature.  Failure to apply for the card would carry a 500 baht fine while not producing the card to officials would be punishable by a 200 baht fine.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/25/national/national_30037722.php ID plan for one-year-olds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929231232/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/25/national/national_30037722.php |date=29 September 2007 }}, 25 June 2007</ref>

===Thaksin Shinawatra===
Surayud warned deposed Premier [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] several times against returning to Thailand, calling his return "a threat".<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/28/headlines/headlines_30014841.php Thaksin's return 'a threat'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012234806/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/28/headlines/headlines_30014841.php |date=12 October 2006 }}, 28 September 2006</ref>  During a November 2006 trip to China for the [[ASEAN]]-China Summit, Surayud refused to meet Thaksin, who was also in China at the time.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/02/headlines/headlines_30017851.php Deposed PM's in China to meet Surayud: Gen Sonthi] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303001317/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/02/headlines/headlines_30017851.php |date=3 March 2007 }}, 2 November 2006</ref>  Surayud later denied Thaksin the opportunity to return to Thailand to contest in eventual elections, and said that the appropriate time for him to return would be "after a year," when a newly elected government was already in place.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/13/headlines/headlines_30018799.php PM quashes Thaksin return] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015165156/http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/13/headlines/headlines_30018799.php |date=15 October 2007 }}, 13 November 2006</ref>

Thaksin's [[diplomatic passport]] was revoked by the Foreign Ministry on 31 December 2006 after the government claimed he had engaged in political activities while in exile.  Thai embassies were ordered not to facilitate his travels.  Traditionally, all former prime ministers and foreign ministers of Thailand were permitted to hold on to their diplomatic passports for life.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/10/headlines/headlines_30023787.php FM cancel ousted premier and wife's diplomatic passports] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070116151951/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/10/headlines/headlines_30023787.php |date=16 January 2007 }}, 10 January 2007</ref>

Thaksin later publicly announced that he was quitting politics.  Surayud's Defense Minister later announced that the junta would refuse Thaksin's reconciliation offer, claiming that Thailand was being threatened by "ill-intentioned people" and capitalism.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=116526 General scorns Thaksin reconciliation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207110436/http://bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=116526 |date=7 December 2008 }}, 3 February 2007</ref>

Surayud's government completely purged all senior military officers perceived as loyal to the Thaksin government, replacing them with officers trusted by the new regime.<ref>''Bangkok Post'', [http://pages.citebite.com/w1s4v0j1u1jku Sonthi loyalists put in key military positions], 22 March 2007</ref>

In April 2007, during an interview where reporters asked Surayud what he would say to Thaksin if he could meet him in person, Surayud responded, "I would say please don't ever come back."<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/26/headlines/headlines_30032797.php I want to tell Thaksin "don't ever come back," : PM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428102422/http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/26/headlines/headlines_30032797.php |date=28 April 2007 }}, 26 April 2007</ref>

===Council for National Security===
The Surayud government allowed the [[Council for National Security]] to interfere with many government responsibilities, including the transfer of civil servants.  The CNS was allowed to control a nationwide reshuffle of the civil service in April 2007 in order to weed out officials "clinging" to the deposed "Thaksin-regime".<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023690 Non-cooperative civil servants face axe by CNS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112135405/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023690 |date=12 January 2007 }}, 9 January 2007</ref>

Surayud also authorised the removal of police chief [[Kowit Wattana]] from his position in early February 2007.  Kowit had also been police chief under the ousted government of [[Thaksin Shinawatra]].

In March, junta leader Sonthi asked Surayud to declare emergency rule in Bangkok in response to the protests by the founders of [[PTV (Thailand)|PTV]].  In an interview, Sonthi noted that the protests, attended by approximately 1,500-3,000 people, had so far been peaceful but that he was afraid the movement could lead to "mutiny and chaos in the country."<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/28/headlines/headlines_30030459.php Thai junta chief calls for emergency rule in Bangkok] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513115003/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/28/headlines/headlines_30030459.php |date=13 May 2007 }}, 28 March 2007</ref>  CNS Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd asked, "What will we do if the numbers of protesters go beyond 100,000? It will greatly damage the country's image."  Emergency powers allowed the government to ban public gatherings, impose curfews and censor local news reports.<ref>IHT, [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/28/asia/AS-GEN-Thailand-Emergency-Rule.php Thai coup leaders urge government to impose emergency rule], 28 March 2007</ref>

On 3 April 2007, Surayud approved a 15% pay rise (on top of an earlier 15% pay rise) for members of the CNS, as a "special reward" for their "honesty, tolerance and dedication on weekdays and weekends."<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/05/politics/politics_30031147.php Junta at risk of a backlash over lucrative benefits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422193454/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/05/politics/politics_30031147.php |date=22 April 2007 }}, 5 April 2007</ref>

Despite this, relations between Surayud and the CNS deteriorated.  Rumours swirled in mid-April 2007 that the CNS would overthrow the government.  However, in a meeting with the CNS President, Surayud declared, "Don't ever think of launching another coup. If you utter only one word, then I am ready to resign."<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/13/opinion/opinion_30031803.php Surayud survives barrage and hangs onto job by a thread] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427184340/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/13/opinion/opinion_30031803.php |date=27 April 2007 }}, 13 April 2007</ref>

==Criticism==
Besides being heavily criticised for gaining power through the 2006 coup and his subsequent actions as premier, Surayud has been accused of forest encroachment and corruption.

===Forest encroachment===
Surayud was accused of breaching the Forestry Act and the National Forest Reserves Act by illegally owning forest reserve land in Yaithiang Mountain of [[Nakhon Ratchasima]] province.  When Surayud was Commander of the 2nd Army Region, he was sold the plot of land for 50,000 baht.  He later transferred ownership of the plot to his wife.  Surayud vowed to resign and return the land (which he did not deny owning) if found guilty.<ref name="The Nation"/>  He was defended by Interior Minister [[Aree Wongarya]], who claimed, "Gen Surayud purchased the land from someone else so the question has to be posed to the first owner whether the land is reserved."

National Human Rights Commissioner and Thaksin sympathiser Jaran Ditthapichai noted, "I cannot agree to have someone call himself a man of morality and sufficiency if he built a fancy house in a forest reserve."<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/15/headlines/headlines_30024142.php Thumbs down for the next charter] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117095033/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/15/headlines/headlines_30024142.php |date=17 January 2007 }}, 15 January 2007</ref>

However, the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) refused to investigate the land encroachment charges, claiming that the statute of limitations on the case had run out.  NCCC member Klanarong Chantik noted that Surayud retired from military service in 2003 whereas the charges were made 4 years after his retirement, and that the NCCC could not legally investigate an officer for alleged wrongdoing beyond two years after retirement.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30037479 NCCC rules against probe into Surayud's land] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122012/http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30037479 |date=29 September 2007 }}, 22 June 2007</ref>

In February 2010 after demonstrations by the "Red Shirts" at Khao Yaithiang Mountain, Surayud returned the land to the Royal Forestry Department, without any removals of structures or plants, weeks before a formal notice from the department was issued. The plot of land is now under the care of the Royal Forestry Department after Surayud moved out. However, up until now no legal action has been taken by Thai authorities against Surayud or other landowners of similar type all over Thailand.

===Corruption===
Surayud, an avid collector of model trains, was accused of illegally acquiring four train compartments for his resort home in Kho Yaithiang mountain, [[Nakhon Ratchasima]].  Surayud claimed that he had more than 4 compartments, but they were all in his residence in Bangkok and were all models driven by household class electricity of 220V.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/26/politics/politics_30022525.php Surayud denies train carriages allegation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922035603/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/26/politics/politics_30022525.php |date=22 September 2007 }}, 28 December 2006</ref>

However, Thai-language newspaper [[Khaosod]] published a photo on the front page of its edition of 26 December 2006 which showed a building resembling a railway carriage near Surayud's resort home.  The National Counter Corruption Committee was petitioned to scrutinise the land at Surayud's retreat residence, but refused to take action (see above).  Before the end of his tenure as prime minister, Surayud invited dozens of reporters from various fields to visit and have a lunch at his disputed Kho Yaithiang home, where they realised that what seemed to be train carriages were only a resort building of his friend nearby viewed from a particular angle. {{Citation needed|date=January 2014}}

While Surayud was frequently accused of corruption, many in the business community believed otherwise. A poll conducted in January 2007 found that 66% of business people thought that local corruption would increase, with only 10.5% thinking that it would decrease. However, only about 14% believed that leading figures in Surayud's administration were corrupt.<ref>''The Nation'', [http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/29/headlines/headlines_30025362.php Business leaders see corruption increasing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202233152/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/29/headlines/headlines_30025362.php |date=2 February 2007 }}, 29 January 2007</ref>

==Royal decorations==
Surayud has received the following royal decorations in the [[Thai Honours Order of Precedence|Honours System]] of Thailand:
* 2018 – [[File:Order of Chula Chom Klao - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80x80px]] Knight Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious [[Order of Chula Chom Klao]]
* 1995 – [[File:Order of the White Elephant - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted [[Order of the White Elephant]]
* 1992 – [[File:Order of the Crown of Thailand - Special Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80px]] Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble [[Order of the Crown of Thailand]]
* 1990 – [[File:Order of Rama 6th Class ribbon.svg|80px]] Rama Mala Medal of the Honourable [[Order of Rama]]
* 1974 – [[File:Freeman Safeguarding Medal - 1st Class (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80x80px]] Freemen Safeguarding Medal (First Class)
* 1989 – [[File:Border Service Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80x80px]] Border Service Medal
* 1978 – [[File:Chakra Mala Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80x80px]] Chakra Mala Medal
* 2019 – [[File:King Rama X Royal Cypher Medal (Thailand) ribbon.svg|80x80px]] [[Vajiralongkorn|King Rama X]] Royal Cypher Medal, Third Class
* 2006 – [[File:Ribbon bar of Red Cross Medal of Appreciation, 1st Class (Thailand).svg|80x80px]] [[Thai Red Cross Society|Red Cross Medal of Appreciation]], First Class (Gold Medal)

===Foreign honours===
*{{flag|Singapore}} :
**[[File:Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) ribbon.png|70px]] [[Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)]]
**[[File:Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) ribbon.png|70px]] [[Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)]] 
*{{flag|Malaysia}} :
**[[File:The Gallant Order of Military Service - Courageous Commander (Malaysia).svg|70x70px]] Knight Grand Commander of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Malaysia|Order of Military Service]] (P.G.A.T.)
*{{flag|Sweden}} : 
**[[File:Order of the Polar Star (after 1975) - Commander Grand Cross.svg|70px]] Commander Grand Cross of the [[Royal Order of the Polar Star]]
*{{flag|Denmark}} : 
**[[File:Order of the Dannebrog K1.svg|70px]] Commander 1st Class of the [[Order of the Dannebrog]]
*{{flag|United States}} :
**[[File:US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png|70px]] Commander of the [[Legion of Merit]]
*{{flag|Indonesia}}:
**[[File:Bintang Kartika Eka Paksi Utama rib.svg|70x70px]] [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Indonesia|Army Meritorious Service Star]], 1st Class
*{{flag|South Korea}} : 
**[[File:Tong-il Security Medal Ribbon.svg|70px]] Tongil Medal of the [[Order of National Security Merit]], 1st Class
*{{Flag|Cambodia}} :
**[[File:KHM Royal Order of Sahametrei - Grand Cross.png|70x70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Royal Order of Sahametrei]]
*{{flag|Kelantan}}, Malaysia : 
**[[File:MY-KEL Order of the Crown of Kelantan - Star of Muhammad.svg|70px]] Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Kelantan or ''Star of Muhammad'' (S.P.M.K.)

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*  [https://web.archive.org/web/20061108060220/http://www.thaicoup2006.com/ News articles related to Thai Coup 2006]

==Further reading==
{{Commons category|Surayud Chulanont}}
* Janes Defence Weekly, [http://www.burmalibrary.org/reg.burma/archives/199911/msg00155.html Interview with Gen Surayud  Chulanont], 3 November 1999
* TIME Magazine, [https://web.archive.org/web/20030422123830/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/heroes/surayud_chulanont.html Asian heroes: Surayud Chulanont], 2003
* BBC News, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5392722.stm Profile: Surayud Chulanont], 1 October 2006
* The Nation, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070211183342/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/09/politics/politics_30026386.php Editorial questioning Surayud's judgement in reopening Don Muang Airport], 9 February 2007

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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Army|Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army]]|years=1998–2002}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters|Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces]]|years=2002–2003}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Sonthi Boonyaratglin]]|as=President of the Administrative Reform Council of Thailand}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Thailand]]|years=2006–2008}}
{{s-aft|after= [[Samak Sundaravej]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Prem Tinsulanonda]]}}
{{s-ttl|title= President of the [[Privy Council of Thailand]]|years=2019-}}
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{{Prime Ministers of Thailand}}
{{Royal Thai Army Chiefs}}
{{History of Thailand since 2001}}
{{Surayud Chulanont}}
{{2005-2006 Thai political crisis}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chulanont, Surayud}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Commanders-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Defence Forces (Thailand)|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Grand Companions of the Order of Chula Chom Klao|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Leaders who took power by coup]]
[[Category:Ministers of interior of Thailand|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Thailand|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Rama Medal of the Order of Rama|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Royal Thai Army generals|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Thai admirals|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Royal Thai Air Force air marshals|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:People from Prachinburi province|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy alumni|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera)]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of Thailand|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Network monarchy|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Alumni of Suankularb Wittayalai School|Surayud Chulanont]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera)]]