No Coup Taking Place, Says Defence Ministry Spokesman

[webfact]

Gen. Kongcheep Tantravanich talking to the reporters. Photo: Thai Rath

 

TNR Staff 

 

THE DEFENCE Ministry’s spokesman Gen. Kongcheep Tantravanich yesterday afternoon (Sept. 28) dismissed rumours of a coup d’etat being mounted while also confirming that this issue was not raised at the Defence Council meeting, Thai Rath newspaper said.

 

Regarding what is being talked about one would have to ask the speakers for the motive for saying what they have, he said, adding that where the military is concerned there are no conditions leading to a coup.

 

Asked whether suspended Prime Minister-cum-Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha raised this issue at today’s meeting, Gen. Kongcheep replied he did not do so.

 

Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/09/28/no-coup-taking-place-says-defence-ministry-spokesman/

 

-- © Copyright  THAI NEWSROOM 2022-09-29

 

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[RichardColeman]

I honestly cannot see a new coup in the near future.......well, not unless they get voted out and their pre-appointed lot cannot save them. Then I'd give it about 2-6 weeks

[Reigntax]

Seem to remember similar comments in 2014 and then……..

 

Sounds like the military are deciding the next snout to control the trough.

[whaleboneman]

This is old news. I heard it already eight years ago...

[Kerryd]

A couple things to keep in mind.

Erdogan (in Turkey) staged a fake coup that resulted in him essentially becoming "leader for life". The Turkish military had staged numerous coups in the past and considered itself to be the defender of democracy in Turkey.
Erdogan termed out as Prime Minister and was able to get elected as President. While he was PM, he replace most of Turkey's "old school" generals with new leaders whose loyalty was to Erdogan first and Turkey second.

Long story short.
The position of President was mainly a ceremonial position whose main purpose was to rubber-stamp appointments made by the Parliament.

Erdogan arranged a fake coup so that a State of Emergency could be declared. The President gains extra powers then and he used to them to round up and imprison 10s of thousands of influential people that might oppose him. He then used his power to make changes to Turkey's Constitution to let him to keep those powers and allow him to remain in position for as long as he likes.

Also keep in mind that Thailand has Myanmar on one side, ruled by military dictators (again) after overthrowing the democratically elected gov't.
On the other side is Cambodia who happily locks up it's opposition leaders and rigs elections to ensure it's leader stays in power.
Both are heavily indebted to China, both financially and politically.
(And of course, Laos to the north with it's communist gov't. Vietnam to the East with it's communist gov't.)

And Thailand is currently run by the same military crew that overthrew the last democratically elected gov't, except they (mostly) wear suits now instead of uniforms.
And they are very friendly with China as well. Thailand itself though is, currently, not indebted to China the way some of her neighbours are. Yet.

With the former PM on the outs over term limits (mere coincidence) and dispute over the acting PM's term as well, it's small wonder that coup rumours are starting.
The top dogs don't want to lose the power and prestige nor the possible consequences of their time in office. (Think Thaksin and all the criminal charges still pending against him. Same for his daughter.) Some of Thailand's current leaders are unusually wealthy considering their previous positions.

Wouldn't take much for another coup to happen here.
Sheesh, I was here for two of them already and the only way I knew they'd happened was when I saw news stories posted on ThaiVisa !

[4MyEgo]

When one starts to lose power, others start to think, and then........

[Andycoops]

I remember a similar statement from the currently suspended Muppet over 8 years ago.

It's amazing how they lie through their teeth while not laughing, I assume they practice in front of a mirror for hours on end.

[JayClay]

I'm really not sure the people would accept a coup right now. Usually they happen when there's mass protests but at the moment there is very little activity on this front. 

 

Maybe the line "where the military is concerned there are no conditions leading to a coup" is a threat, maybe it is supposed to read "if the results of the Pryut case cause mass protests, there will be conditions which can lead to a coup".

[KIngsofisaan]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

I honestly cannot see a new coup in the near future.......well, not unless they get voted out and their pre-appointed lot cannot save them. Then I'd give it about 2-6 weeks

The fact the PM has just been accused of massive amounts of corruption, for the first time in 8 years, could mean he feels he is on his way out and needs to fund his retirement?

 

[mrfill]

Having confirmed there will be no coup, the main question is on what date will it happen....

[Bangkok Barry]

Waiting now for the usual Thai U-turn........

[nikmar]

13 minutes ago, KIngsofisaan said:

The fact the PM has just been accused of massive amounts of corruption, for the first time in 8 years, could mean he feels he is on his way out and needs to fund his retirement?

 

someone else said this - i ve not seen it in the news as of yet. Where did you read hear this?

[ezzra]

What do you want the man to say? yes, there's a good chance of a coup? of course he will say what he did said nevermind what the truth is, that is if anyone knows what the truth is...

[Tarteso]

Where there’s smoke,

there’s fire…

[rwill]

If you were planning a coup would you tell everyone about it?

 

So basically a meaningless statement.

[Thailand]

A chance of my 4th coup in Thailand, fairly good odds I would think.

They are as regular as the Olympics so now 4 years overdue.

Even then, it will be the same old same old. Just another general swapping his military uniform for a civilian uniform, hopefully bloodlessly.

If it is happening the go ahead will have already been given to the next savior of the country.

[ChrisY1]

The military would take over the parliament at the drop of a hat....or at a reasonable threat from their opposition

Prawit cannot stay as caretaker PM....Prayuth will definitely not want to be booted out and he is Defense Minister.

As stated by #Kerryd above....a further coup is highly possible and in reality, would not surprise too many.

[Walker88]

Talk of a coup now is just finally, after a bazillion coups since the end of WWII, admitting the obvious:

 

Coups have ZERO to do with social unrest or other's corruption (the usual excuses and rationalizations). The real reason for a coup is "It's my turn to get rich".

 

Since the streets are currently quiet, but the greed never goes away, this talk of coup now is just some honesty for once.

 

"It's my turn"

 

Thailand, Myanmar.....it's all the same. A guy moves up the ranks in the military, sees how well the thugs at the top are living, and wants a bit of that dosh for himself. In Myanmar, lots of colonels were gobsmacked by that democracy thing. They were so close to the brass ring, then the old guys like Than Shwe and Maung Aye decided to let ASSK have her day---provided she wouldn't subsequently prosecute and take their ill gotten gains, It took a few years, but the greedy colonels moved up to general, had the fake constitution ("Tatmadaw can retake power at any time for any reason") as their justification, and now can drink from the trough all they want.

 

It's my turn.

 

Plus ça change.

[khunjeff]

The fact that a military leader would answer this question with anything other than "of course not, we're here to defend the nation, we have no role in politics, those days are over" shows the level of dysfunction in the body politic here. 

 

The wording of his denial ("well, we're not discussing a military takeover of the government at the moment") would have him immediately stripped of his position and kicked out of the armed forces in any functioning democracy. 

[rtco]

Now if I were a betting man I know where I'd have a punt ...

[jesimps]

2 hours ago, Reigntax said:

Seem to remember similar comments in 2014 and then……..

 

Sounds like the military are deciding the next snout to control the trough.

A coup to oust a coup, that'd be a novelty.

 

[AlQaholic]

That is confirmation, definitely a coup coming in the upcoming month. because the previous coup is old already, we need a new fresh coup.

[lor]

Don't believe anything until it is officially denied by the government.

[Gknrd]

Joke of the day!

[Flink]

Mere coincidence that he decides to come out with this statement when the court are about to adjudicate on the suspended PM's situation re: remaining as PM. Veiled threat or omniscience?

[IamNoone88]

Perhaps I am mistaken ... I always thought that the recipe for a successful Coup was based upon the key elements of surprise, secrecy and speed of deployment. Not parliamentary discussion and PR annoucements.

[LALes]

I'd like to see the Vegas odds.  Much more accurate than some local clown spouting off.

[carlyai]

3 hours ago, Kerryd said:

A couple things to keep in mind.

Erdogan (in Turkey) staged a fake coup that resulted in him essentially becoming "leader for life". The Turkish military had staged numerous coups in the past and considered itself to be the defender of democracy in Turkey.
Erdogan termed out as Prime Minister and was able to get elected as President. While he was PM, he replace most of Turkey's "old school" generals with new leaders whose loyalty was to Erdogan first and Turkey second.

Long story short.
The position of President was mainly a ceremonial position whose main purpose was to rubber-stamp appointments made by the Parliament.

Erdogan arranged a fake coup so that a State of Emergency could be declared. The President gains extra powers then and he used to them to round up and imprison 10s of thousands of influential people that might oppose him. He then used his power to make changes to Turkey's Constitution to let him to keep those powers and allow him to remain in position for as long as he likes.

Also keep in mind that Thailand has Myanmar on one side, ruled by military dictators (again) after overthrowing the democratically elected gov't.
On the other side is Cambodia who happily locks up it's opposition leaders and rigs elections to ensure it's leader stays in power.
Both are heavily indebted to China, both financially and politically.
(And of course, Laos to the north with it's communist gov't. Vietnam to the East with it's communist gov't.)

And Thailand is currently run by the same military crew that overthrew the last democratically elected gov't, except they (mostly) wear suits now instead of uniforms.
And they are very friendly with China as well. Thailand itself though is, currently, not indebted to China the way some of her neighbours are. Yet.

With the former PM on the outs over term limits (mere coincidence) and dispute over the acting PM's term as well, it's small wonder that coup rumours are starting.
The top dogs don't want to lose the power and prestige nor the possible consequences of their time in office. (Think Thaksin and all the criminal charges still pending against him. Same for his daughter.) Some of Thailand's current leaders are unusually wealthy considering their previous positions.

Wouldn't take much for another coup to happen here.
Sheesh, I was here for two of them already and the only way I knew they'd happened was when I saw news stories posted on ThaiVisa !

No you knew it was happening when all the police disappeared. No one in those police boxes on Sathorn. 

Then driving down Sathorn, motorbike gangs were smashing the lights and police boxes. 

 

[MrJ2U]

Wash, rinse, repeat.

 

 

[crazykopite]

When they deny it as fake news it’s 99.9 % it’s going to happen