Academics protest against Thai coup

Bangkok, Sep 22 (UNI) A small group of Thai university teachers and students staged a silent demonstration in the heart of Bangkok's main tourist shopping area, protesting against the September 19 coup by the armed forces.

Wearing black badges, the protestors carried placards reading ''No to Thaksin, No to Coup''.

This was the first public expression of disapproval of the ouster of former caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by the armed forces that has been otherwise widely welcomed by the people.

Public opinion surveys so far have shown overwhelming pubilc acceptance of the military take over with some media commentators describing it as a ''necessary evil''.

''In the end, this is not a coup that, according to the traditional textbook sense of the term, should be roundly condemned.

It is justifiable - if it gives rise to a democracy that is of a higher quality and a government that is much more responsive to the concerns of citizens than what we used to have,'' said Bangkok's English language daily, The Nation.

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