Army Chief Refuses To Rule Out A Military Coup

[pdogg]

 

For the first time since the anti-government protests began almost two months ago, the Army chief has refused to rule out the possibility of a military coup.Asked if there was any possibility of one, General Prayuth Chan-ocha retorted: "If there is a coup, will they listen? All these groups are Thai."

When asked again if he ruled out the possibility of a coup, Prayuth said, "That door is neither open or closed. Everything depends on the situation."

He added the military needed support so it could play an acceptable role and not be accused of resorting to old-fashioned tactics. "The Army is at a difficult crossroads," he said. "We cannot go left or right - we have shown a red light to both sides."

Prayuth said that while the government and the anti-government protesters both insisted on their different paths, the Army had to choose a straighter path to a peaceful solution. He told reporters that during a meeting with his personnel, he had made it clear that all evidence of their activities needed to be recorded, so that a scenario similar to that during the protests in 2010 didn't occur. This would ensure any future investigations were able to proceed with ease. "In my view, a group of people instigated violence, which has hurt Thailand's majority. The majority are intent on resolving the country's political problems but another group likes to use violence.

"They might think that without violence, the country's problems cannot be solved and they cannot succeed. I cannot be sure, but it appears their actions are similar to those used in 2010. I'm not sure if this group took part in the [anti-Abhisit Vejjajiva government] protest," he said, calling on those who were allegedly using violence to end it.

However, Prayuth added that violence had also occurred because some police officers had lost their tempers, resulting in some violent scenes.

Prayuth also said shots fired on Thursday from a building near the Bangkok Youth Centre (Thai-Japan), along with the violence at Ramkhamhaeng University earlier this month needed to be thoroughly investigated.

Asked about the military's part in the upcoming MP candidacy registration, Prayuth said according to the law, soldiers would only be able to protect the area chosen for the registration of candidates.

Prayuth then requested that protesters return home to pray and pay their respects to their parents during the New Year festival, so that the situation calmed down.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayuth-refuses-to-rule-out-a-military-coup-30223147.html

[pdogg]

 

BANGKOK, Jan 7 – Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha today neither confirmed nor denied widespread rumours of a coup, saying that a rumour is simply a rumour.

 

“Don’t be frightened of things that have yet to happen. There is a cause for everything; we have to find it,” he said.

 

Responding to the media about the movement of army troops and hardware into Bangkok, Gen Prayuth said it was for a military parade on Thai Army Day and to show the Thai people the modern weapons and armaments that Thailand has.

 

Asked if he would confirm that there would not be a coup, he said he would not do that because “there are reasons and causes for every phenomenon.”

 

“The military has nothing to do with the turmoil. Don’t get it involved. The army is not in the position to solve all problems and the government should avoid using "strong medicine" which is dangerous,” said the army chief.

 

Asked if it would be necessary to impose an emergency decree during the 'Bangkok Shutdown’ on Monday, Gen Prayuth said he had explained to the prime minister the necessities or conditions for implementation of a state of emergency.

 

“We do hope there won’t be violence and the conflicts will be resolved, he said, indicating that anyone instigating violence must be held accountable. The government must take responsibility,” he said. (MCOT online news)

http://www.mcot.net/site/content?id=52cb99c0150ba0065c0002cf#.UsvTKIUesy4

[pdogg]

 

Redshirts Meet To Discuss Anti-Coup Campaign

(7 January) Hundreds of local Redshirts leaders across the nation have attended a conference in Nakhon Ratchasima province to discuss campaigns against a possible military coup.

 

The conference was held at Liptapallop Hall inside HM King′s 80th Birthday Anniversary stadium. Over 5,000 coordinators and activists under the leadership of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered at the venue this morning to hear speeches by UDD chairwoman Thida Thawornseth.

 

Other prominent UDD leaders such as Mr. Nattawut Saikua were also present at the conference. The meeting was broadcast live on Asia Update, a Redshirts-allied satellite channel.

 

Ms. Thida told the coordinators that the Redshirts must be on alert for any potential military coup against the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She also raised suspicion over the Royal Thai Army′s moving of tanks and other military equipment into Bangkok this week for the occasion of Children′s Day.

 

Although the army has insisted the weaponry will be in Bangkok only for a public display on Children′s Day, which falls on 11 Saturday this year, Ms. Thida criticised the move, citing the already-fragile political turmoil in Bangkok.

 

"The army should not move armament into Bangkok in this situation," Ms. Thida said.

 

The conference also exchanged opinions concerning the UDD′s further campaign against the planned "shutdown" of Bangkok called by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) on 13 January 2014.

 

http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE9UQTRNekl4TWc9PQ==

[pdogg]

A few days after the 2006 coup.

 

 

 

 

Army Sends Out Vague Signals On Coup

(8 January) Top officials of the Royal Thai Army have made contradictory comments about possibility of a military coup.
 

Rumours of a possible coup are intensifying in Bangkok as the "shutdown" of Bangkok planned by anti-government protesters is approaching. 

 

The People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of the State (PCAD) vows to occupy major intersections in the capital city on 13 January in the bid to unseat Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, while pro-government Redshirts have also announced they will stage rallies of their own outside Bangkok on the same day.

 

Many observers see a parallel between the ongoing crisis and the political protests in 2006, when the military ousted the brother of Ms. Yingluck, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in a putsch which they claimed was a necessary step to restore order in Thailand.

 

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, has provided vague answers to reporters when asked about a possible coup over the few weeks. Last month, the general refused to rule out a coup, stating that "anything can happen".

 

Gen. Prayuth told the press along the similar line yesterday, saying that he cannot confirm whether there will or will not be a coup, as it depends on the situation. 

 

"It′s not only about [coup]. Everything happens because there is a cause," Gen. Prayuth said, "If there is no cause for something to happen, it won′t happen".

 

He added, "Just like the Thai proverb goes: if a cow has a wound on its back, the crow will peck it. If there is no wound, there won′t be any pecking".

 

The Permanent Secretary of the Royal Thai Army likewise refused to rule out the possibility of a new coup earlier today. Asked by reporters whether there will be a military coup, Gen. Nipat Thonglek simply laughed and continued on his way to attend a meeting at the Royal Thai Police headquarters. 

 

However, Lt.Gen. Charnchai Phuthong, commander of the Second Army Region, downplayed the ongoing rumours about the coup by insisting that the army will only support a peaceful and legal path to resolve the political conflicts. 

 

"Gen. Prayuth has stressed many times that the army belongs to the people and the nation. The current conflict must be solved by peaceful methods in accordance with the laws," Lt.Gen. Charnchai told reporters after he attended an event at Suranaree Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima province. 

 

"We are following that instruction very strictly," Lt.Gen. Charnchai added.

 

Meanwhile, the official leadership of the Redshirts has encouraged its supporters to be on alert lest the army launches another coup against an elected government.

 

In a statement, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship also laid out plans  to be executed in the event of a military coup. The plans call on the Redshirts to help escort the Prime Minister to a "more secure" location in the North or Northeastern region, establish a government in exile, gather at their local police stations, and stage protests in front of the military bases in the provinces.

http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE9URTROREF4TWc9PQ==

[pdogg]

 

ANALYSTS SAY MILITARY AIMS TO PREVENT VIOLENCE, RATHER THAN STAGE A COUPTHE BANGKOK shutdown planned for January 13 is intended to trigger military intervention in the ongoing political stalemate, security sources said yesterday.

The anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) plans to mobilise 35,000 people from seven southern provinces to shut down seven locations in the capital on Monday to paralyse Yingluck Shinawatra's caretaker administration, the sources said. They noted that some middle-class people in Bangkok might join in, but the southerners are the core of the operation.

The first phase - the first two days of the shutdown - would cause the operations not only of government agencies but also of many businesses to cease, as people might experience difficulty in travelling to work. People might be able to come out of their homes to work on Monday morning, but might not be able to return home in the evening, the sources said.

The second stage, on the third and fourth days, would see a chaotic situation develop, as people in the blockaded areas in the capital struggled to find their way in and out. The protesters themselves would be able to stay in one location for many days.

In the last stage, if the chaos lasted for more than four days, many people such as taxi drivers and street vendors who cannot earn their daily living might riot. There could also be clashes among groups of people in many locations, they said.

"If the situation develops into a riot, we have to look at how the government, the military and the PDRC would react to such a situation," a military source said.

Only the military has the manpower and equipment to handle such a situation, he said, adding that heavy military hardware has already been moved into the capital. Under the pretext of preparing for Armed Forces Day on January 18, the military has moved tanks and other heavy weaponry into the capital. The military said it would hold the parade on that date at the 11th Infantry Regiment, but the space there is too narrow for such a big parade, the source said.

However, an intelligence source said the possibility of a military coup was still not very high. The military would act as a stabiliser to maintain a balance of power in the political scene, he said. What the military will do is to prevent any parties such as police and unknown elements - ie, "men-in-black" - from using violence, the source said.

Yingluck's caretaker government will try its best not to resort to violence to handle the protest, as the government knows that violence will lead to a military intervention. The red-shirt group would not come to Bangkok to confront the protesters, he said.

The intelligence source expected that the Bangkok shutdown would last only a week and would not seriously affect business operations. Traffic might be paralysed, however, he said.

The elements that would bring Yingluck's government down are constitutionally mandated independent organisations such as the Constitutional Court and the anti-graft agency, he said, adding that these bodies tend to move slowly.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Shutdown-aims-to-involve-Army-30223809.html

[pdogg]

 

The army has deployed soldiers at various spots, particularly at government offices, out of concern for the safety of the People's Democratic Reform Committee's protesters and to ensure law and order, army spokesman Winthai Suwari said.

 

Col Winthai said army units have also been deployed to take care of the people and alert them to possible danger, and to prevent the authorities from doing any harm to them.

 

Asked about the Election Commission  proposal that the caretaker prime minister to issue a royal decree to postpone the election, the army spokesman said the military will not interfere in the political process. It will leave it to those in the political sector to find a way out.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/389331/soldiers-won-t-allow-authorities-to-harm-the-people-says-army-spokesman

[pdogg]

 

Caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said Sunday that he was very concerned with the protesters’ plan to shut down Bangkok on Monday fearing that the situation may lead to a coup.

 

A war room has been set up to closely follow the developments of the situation, he said but declined to elaborate the plan.

 

Regarding the Election Commission’s recent proposal to caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that the February 2 election should be put off for a certain period of time, he said that the cabinet was ready to consider the proposal providing that it is reasonable and has legal basis.

 

“The EC must be able to explain which law that can be used to justify the postponement and how important it is that the election must be put off because the February 2 election is yet to take place and there is no Act of God incident which will require the election to be postponed,” he added.

 

Mr Charupong further noted that there is no guarantee that putting off the election would help ease the conflict but would set a bad precedent for future elections to be postponed.

 

The interior minister said he didn’t want to view the EC in a negative light for making such a proposal but had sympathy for it for bearing a heavy burden at a difficult time.

 

While there is no response yet from the government to the EC’s proposal, Mr Charupong believes that the EC will continue to do its job and seek cooperation from all parties concerned to ensure that the election can be held on schedule.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/minister-charupong-fears-bangkok-shutdown-may-lead-coup/

[pdogg]

 

Thailand’s army chief yesterday warned that the country risks “collapse” unless it pulls back from escalating violence after attacks in recent days left three children dead in the kingdom’s worst political unrest since 2010.

 

Twenty-one people have been killed and more than 700 wounded in violence linked to nearly four months of demonstrations against the government.

Protesters want to unseat Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and dilute the influence on Thai politics of her billionaire brother, former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in exile to avoid jail for corruption.

 

“As days go by, there will be more violence until it cannot be controlled,” Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Prayut Chan-ocha said in a rare televised live speech.

 

“If losses continue, the country will collapse for sure and nobody will win or lose,” he added.

Prayut urged reconciliation and talks. He said troops are “ready to do their duty,” but “do not want to use force and weapons to unnecessarily fight with the Thai people.”

 

He did not elaborate.

 

Thaksin supporters have accused the demonstrators of trying to incite the military to seize power in a country which has seen 18 successful or attempted coups since 1932.

 

The army chief’s comments are closely scrutinized for signs of possible intervention.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/02/25/2003584287

[pdogg]

 

Redshirts Promise Uprising Against Coup, Appointed PM

 

(21 March) Leaders of the Redshirts have threatened to launch widespread protests if Prime Minister Yingluck is ousted by a coup, or replaced with an unelected premier.

 

"Reporters kept asking me when the Redshirts will enter Bangkok," said Mr. Jatupon Prompan, chairman of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

 

"Let me just say this," he continued, "the day Thailand loses democracy, either by a military coup or the appointment of the so-called neutral Prime Minister, it would be the 'D-Day' for all Redshrits".

 

His remark followed a key ruling by the Constitutional Court which voids the result of the 2 February general election, citing the constitutional requirement that the election must be held within a single day, whereas the election in some provinces had been postponed due to anti-government protesters who were blockading poll venues.

 

Experts fear that the ruling meant Thailand would lack a functioning government in weeks to come, while Mr. Jatupon said it might pave way for a "vacuum of power" in which Ms. Yingluck would be removed by non-governmental agencies, such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

The NACC is currently investigating Ms. Yingluck for her alleged role in corruption related to the rice-pledging scheme; if she is ever indicted, Ms. Yingluck would be forced to cease her duties as a Prime Minister.  

 

Mr. Jatupon also denounced those who have been calling for an appointment of a "neutral Prime Minister" to replace Ms. Yingluck.

 

"I want Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban to just make it clear who he wants to become the neutral PM," Mr. Jatupon said, referring to the secretary-general of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD), "So Thai people can express their feelings to that new PM".

The UDD chairman then went on to warn the military not to launch a coup, as it would lead to  massive resistance by the Redshirts.

 

"Today Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, turns 60 years old," Mr. Jatupon said in the press conference, "I hope he has a happy birthday, and I hope next year Gen. Prayuth will still be able to move around, and not be turned away by the people as a dictator or coup maker".

Meanwhile, Ms. Thida Thavornseth, another core leader of the UDD, called the NACC's pursuing of corruption charge against Ms. Yingluck "a farce", arguing that the investigation is a facade for an attempt to create legal vacuum and replace her with an appointed leader. 

 

Our correspondent added that the first show of strength of the Redshirts following the Constitutional Court's verdict is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Chonburi province, where UDD supporters from various provinces will arrive in the evening in motorised convoys. 

 

Nevertheless, some Redshirts and other pro-election demonstrators have already held a brief rally to voice their disagreement with the Constitutional Court in Chiang Mai province today, while dozens of pro-election protesters similarly rallied at Benchasiri Park in downtown Bangkok, calling on the establishment to "respect my votes". 

 

Another group of activists also covered the Democracy Monument in Bangkok with enormous black cloths this afternoon to symbolise what they call "a dark day for democracy" in Thailand.

http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1395408460&section=11

[pdogg]

 

U.S. confident there will not be coup de’tat in Thailand

 

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – The United States is confident that the Thai military will not stage another coup de’tat following the ongoing political conflict in the country.

According to Associated Press, the U.S. is reasonably confident Thailand's military will not launch another coup. U.S. officials said that they were closely monitoring the situation but had no intention of intervening.

Very much like most internal political impasses and divisions, it's not something that foreigners can come in and magically fix, said the U.S. authorities.

The U.S. has urged that solutions be both constitutional and democratic, adding that it does not believe the Thai military would want to intervene as it has reiterated that it is not interested in getting involved with politics again. The U.S. also commended the Thai military for its restraint.

Meanwhile, U.S. analysts said that given the pessimism over the prospects for a political compromise, a violent conflict would most likely be the outcome; which they said would be a blow to democratic governance in Southeast Asia and a setback to U.S. strategic interests.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5705150010004

[Hefe]

Meanwhile, U.S. analysts said that given the pessimism over the prospects for a political compromise, a violent conflict would most likely be the outcome;     

This has been my belief from the beginning, especially if the ailing pater familias should end his time here soon. Heck, not if but when. That seems to be the glue holding society together.

 

The United States is confident that the Thai military will not stage another coup de’tat following the ongoing political conflict in the country.

What makes it different now than any other time in the past when the generals have stepped in to "restore order"? 

[pdogg]

Don Draper couldn't even come up with this one.

 

 

Thai Authorities To Promote 'Martial Law Tourism'

 

BANGKOK — The Tourism Authority of Thailand says its preparing to add one more tourist attraction to the Kingdom's long list of temples, beaches, and mountains: life under martial law.

 

"The TAT is preparing a campaign called '24 Hours Enjoy Thailand' to attract foreign tourists to visit Thailand under martial law," TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik told Thai Rath newspaper on Friday.

 

Thawatchai said that martial law is beneficial to tourism, because it ensures that foreign tourists can be safe 24 hours a day. 

"We want the tourists to be confident that they can travel in Thailand both day and night with safety at all times," Thawatchai said, adding that he hopes to promote this concept by creating a "buzz" on social media.

 

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1413179452

[SiamSam]

Using that logic people must be swarming to North Korea for holiday fun and merriment. 

[thaibound]

Using that logic people must be swarming to North Korea for holiday fun and merriment. 

 

any reports on the ladyboy population up there in that new holiday paradise--especially now that 'what's-his-name' has gone AWOL. never been with a north korean lb....but wouldn't mind trying...

[saab1]

Would be interesting for any info regarding the ladyboy scene in Korea. i know i have chatted to a few Korean crossdresser on various chatrooms in my time, and i can tell you, even the older ones are sexy, has anyone  or had any trips to Korea ? or is this uncharted territory ?

[SiamSam]

any reports on the ladyboy population up there in that new holiday paradise--especially now that 'what's-his-name' has gone AWOL. never been with a north korean lb....but wouldn't mind trying...

 

Approach with extreme caution. They're an odd bunch so to speak. Bring a basketball.  

[saab1]

Greeting Sam !! 

 

do you have previous experience of travel to Korea ?

[SiamSam]

Greeting Sam !! 

 

do you have previous experience of travel to Korea ?

 

 

South Korea yes, North no. 

[Guest JustSumGai]

safe in the LOS...cept on beaches, or balconies, or maybe your own bathroom?