Army Troops in Bangkok City

[george]

Soldiers are excercising, no concern for their presence in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The First Army Region is undergoing a routine exercise and the public should not be alarmed about troop movements through Bangkok, commander Lt General Prayuth Chanocha said on Tuesday.

"Soldiers from two infantry divisions, the 2nd and the 9th, are involved in the exercise to ensure military preparedness," he said, allaying concern about the intervention in politics.

He said the military activities had a prior approval and done in accordance with established procedures.

-- The Nation 2008-03-11

[eljeque]

Why would they be practicing in BKK unless they expected to be performing real duties in Bkk?

[Losangels]

Maybe they're a little rusty since it was way back in September 2006 when they had to do the "real" excercise.

But last time there was no resistance, however this time their opponent will be ready thus a little practice couldn't hurt

[pampal]

Practice make perfect

[Tony Clifton]

Maybe they're a little rusty since it was way back in September 2006 when they had to do the "real" excercise.

But last time there was no resistance, however this time their opponent will be ready thus a little practice couldn't hurt

The men in brown uniforms have no spine, hence the lack of resistance, it`s the starch that keeps them standing.

[Gravelrash]

Don't recall these practice sessions during the coup days, seems they had plenty of time then. However choose just after an election, hmmm. Who could possibly read anything sinister into this? Most major cities worldwide have military exercises inside them after all, recall it was London and Sydney last month.

[chiang mai]

Somebody's sending a message here, surely this is nobody's idea of "routine" given the timing.

[gjones]

Does this mean we could have a day off work soon!

[bulmercke]

The whole point of the coup in September 2006 was basically to remove Thaksin from power and stave of the impending violence that was expected to be be enacted on PAD supporters.

Thaksin's regime was seen as a threat to the old established order.

And the army's primary responsibility is - first and foremost - to protect the monarchy and the ruling elite from any such threats.

Nothing has changed in the intervening period.

Thaksin and 'his men' are back and they pose an even greater threat than before to the 'powers that be'. These are serious times.

I would expect another coup soon - rather than later.

[Plus]

It won't happen, they had enough. It's Thaksin's turn to use the military to his own ends, his men are getting back in charge, slowly but steadily.

But even Thaksin won't dare to move on Prem, not for the time being. They might want to remove Samak and take full control over the government but it's also not an urgent matter, they can wait for a couple of months.

If Surapong is forced out of the government right now, it will become a different story. At the moment it appears he's got reprieve at least until May 12 when the court decides if he's going to be tried or not.

The only matter that might require presense of the troops is Thaksin's appearance in court tomorrow, but even then the worst that happens is that he's not allowed to leave the country. Not worth staging a coup.

Maybe just a show of force - who's got the guts to move troops through Bangkok. I'd be very surprised if they are under anti-Thaksin generals control.

We'll know everything in less than six hours. 99% it's nothing, though it might look like an important move a few months later, just like Sonthi's reshaffle of midranking officers before the coup.

[bulmercke]

It won't happen, they had enough. It's Thaksin's turn to use the military to his own ends, his men are getting back in charge, slowly but steadily.

But even Thaksin won't dare to move on Prem, not for the time being. They might want to remove Samak and take full control over the government but it's also not an urgent matter, they can wait for a couple of months.

If Surapong is forced out of the government right now, it will become a different story. At the moment it appears he's got reprieve at least until May 12 when the court decides if he's going to be tried or not.

The only matter that might require presense of the troops is Thaksin's appearance in court tomorrow, but even then the worst that happens is that he's not allowed to leave the country. Not worth staging a coup.

Maybe just a show of force - who's got the guts to move troops through Bangkok. I'd be very surprised if they are under anti-Thaksin generals control.

We'll know everything in less than six hours. 99% it's nothing, though it might look like an important move a few months later, just like Sonthi's reshaffle of midranking officers before the coup.

Plus - some good points - and this has topic has been done to death - but I guess from your perspective there is a tendency to concentrate on the minutiae of what's really goin' on.

However - there's a war going on now between the emerging new capitalist order (Thaksin) and the old established ruling elite. (Prem)

They will not allow everything that was achieved by the coup - dismantling Thaksin's authoritarian and dictatorial rule which was a grave threat to the constitution and the monarchy - to unravel and be usurped by political developments in the last three or four months - whether 'democratic' or not!

It's as simple as that. A coup has definitely now got to be on the cards.

[funfun]

hes's outplayed em, gotta take you hat off to him, love him or hate him, he's got this well under control and they aint no coup coming he's far too clever!

[Crushdepth]

BANGKOK: -- The First Army Region is undergoing a routine exercise and the public should not be alarmed about troop movements through Bangkok, commander Lt General Prayuth Chanocha said on Tuesday.

"Soldiers from two infantry divisions, the 2nd and the 9th, are involved in the exercise to ensure military preparedness," he said, allaying concern about the intervention in politics.

He said the military activities had a prior approval and done in accordance with established procedures.

Isn't this exactly what they said before the coup :-)

[bulmercke]

hes's outplayed em, gotta take you hat off to him, love him or hate him, he's got this well under control and they aint no coup coming he's far too clever!

So what you're talking about is a mutual understanding between the newly elected leaders (PPP) and the 'powers that be' (Prem).

This is pie in the sky.

Thaksin's clever - but he wasn't that clever when he chose to leave Thailand in September 2006 for New York and under-estimated the military threat to his political existence.

If Samak and Thaksin are allowed to prevail in the next few years - then surely there will be a 'sovereign' and military counter strike.

Afterall - Samak and his mafia cohorts are the biggest threat to the monarchy and the sovereign integrity of the Thai nation ever witnessed -

There is no mutual ground at this time - hence the ever increasing likelihood of a coup.

[bingobongo]

so do you think that the coup part deux is possible once thaksin heads back to the UK? how long does it take to warm up a tank?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle3528351.ece

[AnotherATM]

It could be anything. I say, believe nothing, trust nobody.

Let them play their games...Whatever gives them a hard-on.

As long as they don't come to me, or change the immigration laws, it's not my affair.

How can anybody here KNOW what's true? I don't, no matter what they announce, and I'm not going to play the speculation game.

Time will tell!

[astral]

Sorry, but soldiers on the street are always bad news,

unless they are in ceremonial uniform for a Royal occasion.

[jayjayjayjay]

Don't recall these practice sessions during the coup days, seems they had plenty of time then. However choose just after an election, hmmm. Who could possibly read anything sinister into this? Most major cities worldwide have military exercises inside them after all, recall it was London and Sydney last month.

Classic Australian security management:

[Plus]

A coup has definitely now got to be on the cards.

No way. There will be widespread condemntaion, both domestic and international, and they won't be able to hold on to power for more than two days.

The coup is not warranted at the moment. The army will step in only when pro- and anti-Thaksin forces clash on the streets and Thaksin can be tried for treason or something equally serious.

It's not a far fetched scenario, and even if Thaksin doesn't want it himself, there are too many hangers on who need Thaksin's backing to stay in power. I don't think Thaksin will continue his support after his court cases are cleared or settled. He doesn't need Newin or Yongyuth or anyone else, they need him, and so they might try to use force to stay in power and that's where anti-Thaksin generals will step in.

[eljeque]

However - there's a war going on now between the emerging new capitalist order (Thaksin) and the old established ruling elite. (Prem)

New Order, Yes, Capitalist, No.

Thaksin is not a capitalist.

He does not believe in competition against his corporations.

He believes in substantial government involvement in industry when it benefits his corporate interests.

[younghusband]

It's as simple as that. A coup has definitely now got to be on the cards.

No it's not as simple as that.

[traveller5000]

It's as simple as that. A coup has definitely now got to be on the cards.

No it's not as simple as that.

care to elaborate ?

[jayjayjayjay]

Here we go again.......... 555555555

[Plus]

However - there's a war going on now between the emerging new capitalist order (Thaksin) and the old established ruling elite. (Prem)

New capitalists are not interested in governing the country themselves, apart from Thaksin not one of them has political ambitions.

I don't think they are interested in clashing with old elites, they don't care, they live in a parallel universe.

[Old Man River]

Out of curiosity, has anyone actually seen these soldiers? I live in Bangkok and work in the central business district and haven't seen one.

[sjaak327]

Probably not, I for one haven't seen them.

[BigSnake]

All is well for now, enjoy

[Prakanong]

It's as simple as that. A coup has definitely now got to be on the cards.

No it's not as simple as that.

care to elaborate ?

I think those that are shouting coup due to a few soldiers passing through BKK need to explain that claim first.

They are the ones using the word "Definitely" (thats saying its on 100% by anyones definition) - in what time frame and they need to defend this in a pretty short one as they are pointing to the troops in Bangkok now - not weeks or months?

[jayjayjayjay]

However - there's a war going on now between the emerging new capitalist order (Thaksin) and the old established ruling elite. (Prem)

New capitalists are not interested in governing the country themselves, apart from Thaksin not one of them has political ambitions.

I don't think they are interested in clashing with old elites, they don't care, they live in a parallel universe.

Nieve at best, take a close look at BOTH cabinets at the moment and tell us that over 3/4 don't have close ties to family business. This is not about Thaksin, it's about the ability of a country to pull itself out of a lower class and allow spread of wealth across all levels of society. It would be great to think that Thailand could have a female Prime Minister like Helen Clark (NZ), where politics is so boring that it never even makes to front pages. The reality is that business minded people are able to make that paradigm change quicker than any others when they apply good ecomomics to a country. You've been a great supporter of the coup detat, so maybe you want Thailand going the direction of Burma!!! Or maybe you would choose the ulitmately corrupt socialist model of China or Vietnam!! I for one wish upon the birth country of my daughters for this place to be able to follow Singapore. Sure it is not perfect, extreme pressure applied in some ways suppresses freedom and creates robots, but for an Asian country I see that as a lesser or two evils. Singapore was and is run by business men/people with clear financial goals that allowed the country to pull out of the economic doldrums into an Asian powerhouse. Unfortunety leftist extremists like yourself believe pure democracy is bliss. Other than NZ, where else in the world does this really exist, and don't pull my leg by saying USA!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Prakanong]

JayJay

If you read Joe Studwells book "Asian Godfathers" you will see that Singapore is not run by business people - in fact many of the past leaders ie Harry had a bit of a distaste for those in "Trade".

That is not to say though that business friendly policies have not been pursued. Then again many of the major companies/ industries are govt controlled/owned here - maybe an anathema to your non-leftis principles and dream?