Army chief slams pro-election protesters

By The Nation

 

 

Army chief General Chalermchai Sittisart on Wednesday warned that pro-election movements are “repetitive offenders” that need to be prosecuted continually.

 

“I suppose the key activists already know what they will face and they will not be afraid of it. Eventually, ‘somebody’ will take care of them backstage anyway,” Chalermchai said.

 

He was referring to a series of assemblies held by the Democracy Restoration Group (DRG) which has called for the ruling junta to hold the long-delayed election by this November, as the premier General Prayut Chan-o-cha promised last year.

 

Authorities have threatened to track any “backstage supporters”, financially or otherwise, of the activist group, which insists it works independently.

 

The Army has been targeted by the DRG, whose members have called on the military to stop supporting the ruling junta. On Sunday, they marched to Army headquarters as a symbolic protest.

 

Chalermchai called the activists’ demands to be “groundless”. “They have no condition. They just want to make movements,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, seven activists including Sirawith Seritiwat on Wednesday went to Pattaya police station to help officers conclude their investigations in a case stemming from the pro-election assembly.

 

The gathering on March 4, led by Sirawith, was organised near Pattaya beach to not only call for election but also show the group’s stance against the junta ruling. The seven activists consequently faced charges for allegedly breaking the junta’s order on political gatherings and the public assembly bill.

 

The police have requested the court to issue summonses for another 15 activists, who still have to be identified, who are seen in recordings to have joined the assembly on the day.

 

Sirawith said the hours-long assembly was made brief, peaceful and was an exercise in rights.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30341960

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-3-28

With a look like that he means business.  Activists out of line, 3 weeks in cooler.

5 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Eventually, ‘somebody’ will take care of them backstage anyway,” Chalermchai said.

what irresponsible talk is that of supposed leaders ? the place is being led by 10 year-olds

8 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Chalermchai called the activists’ demands to be “groundless”. “They have no condition. They just want to make movements,” he said.

apparently thai military generals do not possess the ability to address specific points, uttering pointless generalities is Far easier;

arrogant , self -absorbed , egotistical men spouting crap

Stop moaning you big girl and just let them have their say. After all, everything is set and you are gone in less than a year... aren't you...?

'Repetitive offenders who need to be prosecuted continually', says this General.

 

So: Thai citizens reminding the junta of what its leader had promised to the U.S. President - a November 2018 election - are labelled as 'repetitive offenders'? This is lunacy land!

 

We could equally (and with more justification) say of  Prayut and his gang that they are  'repeat criminals who need to be prosecuted continuously (and without let-up)  ....'

 

Edited March 28, 20188 yr by Eligius

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Army chief General Chalermchai Sittisart on Wednesday warned that pro-election movements are “repetitive offenders” that need to be prosecuted continually.

“Repetitive offenders”

 

Also known as voters, elsewhere... 

3 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

“Repetitive offenders”

 

Also known as voters, elsewhere... 

two trophy likes  for that; priceless

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

 

Chalermchai called the activists’ demands to be “groundless”. “They have no condition. They just want to make movements,” he said.

The student activists are pulling all the strings and playing the junta like a violin. They know it’s a fruitless attempt to ask the army to denounce the NCPO. They just poisoning the well knowing that there are fault lines within the military. They are indirectly stirring up internal dissent and hope something will happen. Nothing to lose for the activists. Much to gain otherwise. 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

“I suppose the key activists already know what they will face and they will not be afraid of it. Eventually, ‘somebody’ will take care of them backstage anyway,” Chalermchai said.

Sounds like an unlawful threat.  Was there not suppose to be reforms once the galant and selfless junta took charge ?  Bring back happiness and boat loads of other gibberish.  Chalermchai has crossed the line and has made demands for elections that much more important.

What an arrogant pr**k....So full of self entitlement.....!!

 

The invisible Thai Army feeling threatened by 7 (yes seven) pro-election activists....

Army chief slams pro-election protesters

 

 

 

How about slamming the inability of Thai authorities to enforce the law especially on the roads 

 

 

Time for Thailand to seek the help of educated people to make reforms

 

 

How exactly did the top police commander in Thailand reach his Rank - did he go to university for 7 years ?

“I suppose the key activists already know what they will face and they will not be afraid of it. Eventually, ‘somebody’ will take care of them backstage anyway,”

 

Dangerous man, but the New Generation will not tolerate any future 2010s or 2014s. 

One cannot but empathise with the poor chap. Here he is, at the pinnacle of his career, head of the army. Worked for it all those years. By rights he should be sitting in his office, watching a carefully planned spontaneous people's protest movement reducing to impotence a government elected by the people some two years ago, following the last coup. His military experience and the inherent leadership ability conferred by his carefully constructed network of contacts and deals made in the right circles should have prepared him for the most important decision of his service, a decision which he will have planned and worked for since it became clear he was on track for the top job; the decision as to just when is the right moment to shrug in frustration, and announce that for the good of the nation, he has to reluctantly take over Government.

 

Instead he has to watch his predecessors hang on to the job, which should be his!

 

No wonder he is a tad dyspeptic about matters...

Edited March 29, 20188 yr by JAG

Wow. The Junta's mask really is slipping.

 

If there are any supporters remaining, they should read that article very carefully. In particular, the first 2 sentences.

 

Army chief General Chalermchai Sittisart on Wednesday warned that pro-election movements are “repetitive offenders” that need to be prosecuted continually.

 

“I suppose the key activists already know what they will face and they will not be afraid of it. Eventually, ‘somebody’ will take care of them backstage anyway,” Chalermchai said.

28 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Wow. The Junta's mask really is slipping.

 

If there are any supporters remaining, they should read that article very carefully. In particular, the first 2 sentences.

 

Army chief General Chalermchai Sittisart on Wednesday warned that pro-election movements are “repetitive offenders” that need to be prosecuted continually.

 

“I suppose the key activists already know what they will face and they will not be afraid of it. Eventually, ‘somebody’ will take care of them backstage anyway,” Chalermchai said.

Yes, that quote (above) about 'taking care of the protesters backstage' does at first glance seem terribly ominous and threatening (as if the army will 'bring in the boys' behind the scenes to duff up the protesters). I was myself misled by it at first reading. But a following statement in the article says this and thus contextualises the statement of the General:

 

'Authorities have threatened to track any “backstage supporters”, financially or otherwise, of the activist group, which insists it works independently.'

 

So it seems that the General is saying that the protesters do not fear any fines that may be imposed on them, as they have a 'backstage' financier (obviously Thaksin is meant) who will cover all costs for them.

 

However - the statement from the General remains ambiguous and unsettling ...

 

 

Edited March 29, 20188 yr by Eligius

2 minutes ago, Eligius said:

Yes, that quote (above) does at first glance seem terribly ominous and theatening (as if the army will 'bring in the boys' behind the scenes to duff up the protesters). I was myself misled by it at first reading. But a following statement in the article says this and thus contextualises the statement of the General:

 

'Authorities have threatened to track any “backstage supporters”, financially or otherwise, of the activist group, which insists it works independently.'

 

So it seems that the General is saying that the protesters do not fear any fines that may be imposed on them, as they have a 'backstage' financier (obviously Thaksin is meant) who will cover all costs for them.

 

However - the statement from the General remains ambiguous and unsettling ...

It could be interpreted that way. However, we have the quote from the General and then we have an interpretation of those words by the author of the article. If you hadn't read the author's interpretation, would you have thought he was referring to Thaksin? I wouldn't. Maybe we have an incomplete quote here, but given the historical reaction of the RTA when opposed by civilians I would have thought he would choose his words more carefully.

 

Whoever thought that being "pro election" would be such a serious crime in 2018 in Thailand? Scary stuff.

 

 

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

It could be interpreted that way. However, we have the quote from the General and then we have an interpretation of those words by the author of the article. If you hadn't read the author's interpretation, would you have thought he was referring to Thaksin? I wouldn't. Maybe we have an incomplete quote here, but given the historical reaction of the RTA when opposed by civilians I would have thought he would choose his words more carefully.

 

Whoever thought that being "pro election" would be such a serious crime in 2018 in Thailand? Scary stuff.

 

 

Great points, JonnyF. I agree with you - that without that later comment by the article  writer, the statement by the General seems pretty clear - that it is referring to doing something nasty behind the scenes to the protesters. This could well be what he meant. It is just not very clear. But as you say - the army are not exactly known for their angelic behaviour towards those who oppose the Establishment ....

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Eventually, ‘somebody’ will take care of them backstage anyway,” Chalermchai said.

Jeez!  If that isn't a thinly veiled threat, I don't know what is!

3 hours ago, Eligius said:

Yes, that quote (above) about 'taking care of the protesters backstage' does at first glance seem terribly ominous and threatening (as if the army will 'bring in the boys' behind the scenes to duff up the protesters). I was myself misled by it at first reading. But a following statement in the article says this and thus contextualises the statement of the General:

 

'Authorities have threatened to track any “backstage supporters”, financially or otherwise, of the activist group, which insists it works independently.'

 

So it seems that the General is saying that the protesters do not fear any fines that may be imposed on them, as they have a 'backstage' financier (obviously Thaksin is meant) who will cover all costs for them.

 

However - the statement from the General remains ambiguous and unsettling ...

 

 

Your post is more or less the one I was about to write. This means it has come from a brilliant mind. However I would have rephrased the last sentence with 'bloody stupid given his position, unless he was making physical threats.'

28 minutes ago, saminoz said:

Jeez!  If that isn't a thinly veiled threat, I don't know what is!

Thinly veiled?

 

The mailed fist in an iron glove.