Fears of confrontation, coup ease in Thailand
Fears of political violence and a possible coup d'etat somewhat eased Saturday after the supposed plan to surround and dislodge the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters were denied by its architect, former deputy national police chief General Salang Bunnag.
Also, there was an assurance from the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces General Songkitti Jakkabat that there will be no coup.
But Salang yesterday said he merely postponed his plan to besiege the Government House from Saturday to Monday.
Songkitti told reporters that any talk of another coup is a "rumour" and insisted that the armed forces definitely have no such idea. Coup is not good for the country,
Songkitti argued, and those who kept on talking about it are like old records repeating themselves. The armed forces' role is to protect national sovereignty.
Songkitti was asked what he thought of the scheduled phone-in talk from London by convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. He said it's still unclear what Thaksin wished to communicate. "He may just want to greet others, that's all," the supreme commander replied.
The supreme commander urged the media to be more reliable and responsible in reporting, citing Salang's denial Saturday that he had ever told the media that he would surround and dislodge PAD protesters from the Government House. Salang's apparent backtracking didn't stop the PAD from calling for the First Army Division to intervene and protect protesters if they're under threat by Salang's men.
The Government House, which was taken over by the PAD in August was fenced off with barbed wires Saturday, and more car tyres were placed to protect the protest site. Security has also been beefed up and those entering and leaving the Government House compound were being searched.
Pipop Thongchai, a PAD leader, said the PAD would remain on alert for possible attack by Salang and government supporters.
Meanwhile Commander of the First Army Division, Lt-General Kanit Sapitak said the public should not be alarmed by troop movements starting Sunday as they will stage a military parade drill in Bangkok in preparation for His Majesty the King's birthday in December.
Comments