BANGKOK: The military seized power in Thailand today [Oct 6] in a lightning coup following a bloody battle between Armed Police and Leftist students at Bangkok’s Thammasat University. An announcement by a military organisation calling itself the Administration Reform Committee said that Martial Law was immediately imposed. …
The announcement, over the State-run Thailand Radio, was signed by the former Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces … Admiral Sa-Ngad Chaloryoo, who had been Defence Minister for just one day in the new civil administration of Prime Minister Seni Pramoj.
The situation in the country is now reported to be quiet after the fighting which according to official accounts left 30 dead and 200 wounded. — News agencies
[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Islamabad,] President Fazal Elahi Chaudhry and Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto have expressed their profound grief over the death of Mufti Mohammad Shafi which the Prime Minister described as an irreparable loss.
In a message sent to the widow … the President said: “I have learnt with profound grief about the sad demise of … Mufti Mohammad Shafi. The Maulana was a distinguished religious leader.” …
Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2026
