PM Calls Urgent Meeting Of Security Officials

[george]

PM calls urgent meeting of security officials

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont Friday called an urgent meeting of top security officials after anti-coup groups announced that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra would address the protesters through a teleconference Friday night.

Surayud held the meeting at Government House at 9:30 am.

Attending the meeting were Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, chairman of the Council for National Security in his capacity as the director of the Internal Security Operations Command, Army Chief-of-Staff Gen Montree Sangkhasup, Sirichai Choterat, director of the National Intelligence Agency, Metropolitan police chief Lt Gen Adisorn Nonsee, Special Branch Police chief Lt Gen Rapipat Palawong, and national police chief Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyavej.

Surayud called the urgent meeting after the anti-coup groups unveiled the plan to let Thaksin talk to demonstrators at Sanam Luang through Web cam at 9 pm.

-- The Nation 2007-06-15

[Mid]

flat footed , again .............................

[chinthee]

flat footed , again .............................

And, dropping his hands and backing up. If he keeps this up the former PM will score a K.O. Can't these guys see the wisdom in hiring a world class PR firm, teams of high profile foreign law firms, etc., to counter this??

[hammered]

PM calls urgent meeting of security officials

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont Friday called an urgent meeting of top security officials after anti-coup groups announced that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra would address the protesters through a teleconference Friday night.

Surayud held the meeting at Government House at 9:30 am.

Attending the meeting were Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, chairman of the Council for National Security in his capacity as the director of the Internal Security Operations Command, Army Chief-of-Staff Gen Montree Sangkhasup, Sirichai Choterat, director of the National Intelligence Agency, Metropolitan police chief Lt Gen Adisorn Nonsee, Special Branch Police chief Lt Gen Rapipat Palawong, and national police chief Pol Gen Seripisut Temiyavej.

Surayud called the urgent meeting after the anti-coup groups unveiled the plan to let Thaksin talk to demonstrators at Sanam Luang through Web cam at 9 pm.

-- The Nation 2007-06-15

Well at least this speech to be by ex-dear leader confirms the not very well kept secret that the rallies are pro-T events. Yet again I wonder how the so-called anti-Junta and anti-T groups and protestors will justify their involvement in a pro-T propoganda event.

[Mid]

Govt may declare emergency if necessary: Surayud

June 15, 2007 : Last updated 12:52 pm (Thai local time)

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Friday that the government may have to declare the state of emergency if necessary.

He was speaking to reporters after a meeting with top security officials at Government House to make preparations to deal with a protest planned by pro-Thaksin groups at Sanam Luang Friday evening.

Surayud said the officials discussed whether the emergency decree should be enforced if the protest escalates to violence and spins out of contor.

"I am ready to enforce the emergency decree when a situation warrants it," Surayud said.

He said the declaration of state of emergency would be the last measure of his government for controlling the situation.

The Nation

[hammered]

Govt may declare emergency if necessary: Surayud

June 15, 2007 : Last updated 12:52 pm (Thai local time)

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Friday that the government may have to declare the state of emergency if necessary.

He was speaking to reporters after a meeting with top security officials at Government House to make preparations to deal with a protest planned by pro-Thaksin groups at Sanam Luang Friday evening.

Surayud said the officials discussed whether the emergency decree should be enforced if the protest escalates to violence and spins out of contor.

"I am ready to enforce the emergency decree when a situation warrants it," Surayud said.

He said the declaration of state of emergency would be the last measure of his government for controlling the situation.

The Nation

Its like deja vue. With Surayud replacing Chidchai and Thaksin before a demo.

[Mid]

He said the declaration of state of emergency would be the last measure of his government for controlling the situation.

never a truer word spoken ..................................

[Mid]

Supreme commander briefs military attaches from 20 countries

June 15, 2007 : Last updated 01:33 pm (Thai local time)

Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niampradit Friday briefed military attaches from 20 countries over the situation related to anti-junta protests.

Boonsrang met the attaches at the Supreme Command headquarters at 9 am.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Boonsrang said he assured the military attaches that the government would be able to control the situation and the military would not use force and arms against the civilians.

He said he informed the military attaches that the military would not come out to deal with the protesters if not necessary.

The Nation

full scramble mode now .................

[hammered]

Thailand Outlook TV are reporting that Mr. Thaksin will tonight name the person really behind the coup. Or at least the person he wants to finger no doubt.

[Mid]

Or at least the person he wants to finger no doubt.

thats the general idea , no doubt

give me a p .........................

[george]

Supreme commander briefs military attaches from 20 countries

BANGKOK: -- Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niampradit Friday briefed military attaches from 20 countries over the situation related to anti-junta protests.

Boonsrang met the attaches at the Supreme Command headquarters at 9 am.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Boonsrang said he assured the military attaches that the government would be able to control the situation and the military would not use force and arms against the civilians.

He said he informed the military attaches that the military would not come out to deal with the protesters if not necessary.

-- The Nation 2007-06-15

[Jai Dee]

Government and CNS are well prepared for possible unrest

The Prime Minister, Gen. Surayud Chulanont, indicates that the government and the security units are prepared to deal with potential disorder, and if it occurs, the government may enforce the Emergency Decree to put the situation under control.

Following the meeting with the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and Council for National Security (CNS) Chairman Sonthi Boonyaratglin for almost two hours today (Jun 15), the Prime Minister says the government will handle the situation in a peaceful manner. He asks concerned parties not to create disorder as the government would like to expedite the constitutional drafting process and to hold the general election soon.

However, Gen. Surayud says the government and the ISOC is ready to impose the Emergency Decree to control the possible unrest situation. He says the ISOC will operate peacefully without using weapons.

In addition, the Prime Minister says the government will not block ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s live broadcast to his supporters at Sanam Luang tonight.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 June 2007

[Jai Dee]

Supreme Commander explained current affairs to foreign envoys

The Supreme Commander and Council for National Security (CNS) member, Gen. Boonsrang Niumpradit, explained Thailand's political situation to the foreign military envoys at the Supreme Command Headquarters this morning (Jun 15).

Lt. Gen. Palangoon Klaharn, the Civil Affairs Department Chief of Staff under the Royal Thai Army, said the Gen. Boonsrang informed the foreign military envoys of the constitutional drafting progress and the demonstrations at Sanam Luang following the Constitutional Tribunal’s verdict on the party dissolution case last month. Gen. Boonsrang also explained the AEC’s order to freeze the assets and accounts of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Supreme Commander wants the international community to understand Thailand’s situation accurately and to be informed that the interim government will return the power to the people.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 June 2007

[Scott]

How on Earth can anybody be so afraid of anyone as this gov't seems to be of Mr. T. I am not a Thaksin fan, but surely there must be more to running the country than being against him. If there was better news coverage of him, he would surely put his foot in his mouth enough times that people would begin to see his faults. The way it is now, they keep raising him higher and higher on a pedestal.

[megashox]

Firstly, aren't emergencies declared by legitimate governments? And then, isnt a country under military rule already in a state of emergency?

[Mid]

be informed that the interim government will return the power to the people.

latest on the draft charter gives lie to this .................................

[Jai Dee]

First Battalion Seventh Infantry admits political movements from old political power

The First Battalion Seventh Infantry admits that there have been political movements by former Members of Parliament in some areas, but the situation is controllable.

Col. Nopporn Ruenchan (นพพร เรือนจันทร์), the 7th Regional Army Commander, says the political movements have taken place in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and other northern provinces. Col. Nopporn says he had told former politicians to carry on the reconciliation policy and abide by the Constitutional Tribunal’s verdict on the party dissolution case. He says former Thai Rak Thai members have conducted political activities, but he reminded them to help maintain peace in the country.

Col. Nopporn adds that there have been reports about the hiring of people to join the rallies. However, he believes public members can use their own discretion and understand the present situation. He says political movements in Lamphun are active since the martial law is not imposed in the province, but the military has made a clear understanding with the former politicians in the area that the activities must be done under the law.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 June 2007

[Aujuba]

If Thaksin does speak I think his supporters are going to be surprised what he says. Unless he is an idiot and totally blind to what Thailand thinks as a whole, he will tell them to move on and accept what the decision is. I think he will tell his supporters they have to move on and participate in the coming election. He isn't going to say something stupid which would endanger the lives of Thai people for his own sake. Get real.

[hammered]

Poll: 70% back emergency decree in capital

(BangkokPost.com) - More than 70% of people living in Bangkok can accept it if the government impose an emergency decree in the capital, according to a university poll.

The survey said 73.5% can accept the emergency decree while 26.5% cannot.

The majority of the respondants -- or 75% -- agree with police setting up check points to prevent mobilisation of mobs. About 24% disagree with the check points.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=119465

And this is before any violence.

[hammered]

If Thaksin does speak I think his supporters are going to be surprised what he says. Unless he is an idiot and totally blind to what Thailand thinks as a whole, he will tell them to move on and accept what the decision is. I think he will tell his supporters they have to move on and participate in the coming election. He isn't going to say something stupid which would endanger the lives of Thai people for his own sake. Get real.

That is a distinct possibilty unless his ego is as big as some claim of course.

[Old Man River]

For those of us who live in Bangkok, what would an emergency decree actually mean? would there be a time of the evening that nobody is allowed on the streets, or is it likely to cover only certain areas of Bangkok?

[hammered]

For those of us who live in Bangkok, what would an emergency decree actually mean? would there be a time of the evening that nobody is allowed on the streets, or is it likely to cover only certain areas of Bangkok?

Here is a summation of what emergency rule comprises in the South. Funnily enough dating from the previous regime.

Onewould guess that it would apply to all Bangkok, but it seems it gives the authorities a variety of options that may or may not be used. I would guess in this case the freedom of assembly would be suspended maybe with travel restrictions and posibly a curfew. If introduced how drastically it was used would propbably also depend on the situation. To date the authorities have been quite light by the norm of militarry governments.

World Briefing | Asia: Thailand: State Of Emergency In South Extended

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Published: October 19, 2005

Thailand will extend a state of emergency in three predominantly Muslim southern provinces to cope with an escalating Muslim insurgency, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said. The state of emergency, declared July 20 and set to expire tomorrow, allows the government to impose curfews, ban public gatherings, limit travel, censor and ban publications, detain suspects without charge, confiscate property and tap telephones. It will now continue for three more months in the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. At least 1,113 people have been killed in the insurgency since it flared in January 2004.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...753C1A9639C8B63

Edited June 15, 2007 by hammered

[Jai Dee]

Army HQ boosts defences

Iron barriers are lined up outside the army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen avenue to defend the building from anti-coup protesters during their rally.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[birago23]

Seems to become a very interesting weekend!

UNBELIEVABLE THAILAND!

[chinthee]

Oh, no, not again! So far I've personally lived in the capitol cities through two coups, Bangkok and Moscow. I was also there for the burning of the white house. Emergency decree means stock up at Tesco.

[Gary A]

With another seven soldiers killed in the south, I would think what is supposed to be the government would be a little concerned with that sad situation. If they worried about that problem as much as they worried about Thaksin, the problem would have been solved.

[hammered]

Oh, no, not again! So far I've personally lived in the capitol cities through two coups, Bangkok and Moscow. I was also there for the burning of the white house. Emergency decree means stock up at Tesco.

Wasnt that in 1812? You aint doin bad for an old dude!

[Plus]

Thaksin is completely screwed, what is he going to tell people? That they should fight against freezing HIS assets? Or against tribunal decision?

The only thing he can tell them is that they are on their own and he can't come and save their asses from the evil junta.

Though he will be speaking to rally participants, his real audience is the whole country, and the whole country doesn't give a rat's ass about his fate. They've heard a lot from him already - badmouthing Thailand in international media, shopping for Manchester City, buying the most expensive house in Asia. It was all me, me, me.

He hasn't said ONE word that would appeal to his opponents (who are in power now, don't forget), and this rally will be his golden opportunity to declare his retirement from politics.

I have a feeling that he will blew it - he will talk but won't dare to say anything conclusive: "Hang on, guys, fight for democracy, I'm with you all the way, don't give up, bla bla bla."

What is the chance of him blowing his fuse and edging his supporters to attack the junta head on? Near zero. What is the chance of him saying: "Go home, guys, it's over"? Near zero.

[chinthee]

Oh, no, not again! So far I've personally lived in the capitol cities through two coups, Bangkok and Moscow. I was also there for the burning of the white house. Emergency decree means stock up at Tesco.

Wasnt that in 1812? You aint doin bad for an old dude!

1991, AND, and I had my own kalishnakov

[chinthee]

I don't know if many of you have been doing this, but I have been discussing this with Thais I know all day on and off. I have been told that the consensus (at least among those I know and their associates) is that there is a groundswell of deep resentment growing against the former PM. They see him as trying to destroy the country and seeking revenge.