Thailand’s coup leaders are getting the royal endorsement as they tighten their grip on the capital Bangkok.  Some political leaders including ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have been released from military custody, but the king says coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha is the head of state.

One of Chan-ocha’s underlings read one of the most bizarre statements in the history of coups on Thai TV, the military sought to “bring back happiness to all Thai people.”

“We would like to urge cooperation from all civil servants and police to be patient, sacrifice and accept the principle of ridding the country from conflict,” the statement said.  “Otherwise, we will become a failed state and no one will be happy.”

And who wouldn’t be happy with troops roaming the streets, enforcing happiness at gunpoint?  A lot of Thais, it turns out.  Despite repeated warnings against gatherings of more than five people, thousands across Bangkok defied the repression and took part in several rallies against the coup.

Meanwhile, Chan-ocha has revealed his pre-election reform plan:  It’s pretty much the same as what the anti-Democracy royalists called for during their seven months of demonstrations against the government.  He’s expected to appoint a ruling council.