Thai Gen Sonthi Reveals More Details About 2006 Coup

[webfact]

COUP ANNIVERSARY

Gen Sonthi reveals more details about coup

By Sathien Viriyapapongsa

The Nation

Former Army chief General Sonthi Boonyarattaglin, who led the September 19, 2006 coup that toppled the Thaksin regime, has admitted that the failure of the post-coup government to continue the "Thaksin economic model" had polarised the country.

Former Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who led the 2006 coup that toppled the Thaksin regime, has admitted that the failure of the post-coup government to continue the "Thaksin economic model" had polarised the country.

"Had we followed in the footsteps of Thaksin especially in implementing populist policies, our society would have not been torn," he said.

He said he had instructed the Cabinet to retain populist policies that helped improve the lot of the common people. Sonthi said his remarks were sincere and he did not fear losing face.

"This is a separate matter (from the coup). Thaksin had inflicted great damage on the country, which has become even more apparent today. We do not accept that but we accept only the good things that he did. Whoever does good things, we have to help continue the mission," he |said.

Sonthi opened his heart during an interview that included other people involved in the coup four years ago. The interview will be shown at 11pm tonight on Nation Channel's "Behind the People and Behind the News".

He said the main reason why he decided to launch the putsch was that he received a metal-cabinet full of letters urging him and the military to protect the country. The letters are kept at Supreme Command Headquarters.

Denying that the military had ousted a civil government, Sonthi said that before the coup, the country was not democratic.

"Even a superpower like the US knew the situation. I was talking to the US ambassador all the time. The US understood the country's political situation,'' he said.

-- The Nation 2010-09-06

[mca]

He said the main reason why he decided to launch the putsch was that he received a metal-cabinet full of letters urging him and the military to protect the country.

Well that's alright then isn't it.

[Changian]

But interesting how this ties in with the news that an opposition MP recently predicted a coup in October. Wonder if the sales of stationary in Isaan have spiked recently.

TV has quite a few members, maybe if we all write to Gen Anupong and say we think George would do a better job than Abhisit he'll have another coup for us. No harm in asking.

Or the next time they have a coup True should be in charge of marketing it on satellite TV. The public could vote ( 5 baht/SMS ) for the contestant they want to take over the country. At least that would help pay for the cost.

[exterminator]

"Even a superpower like the US knew the situation. I was talking to the US ambassador all the time. The US understood the country's political situation,'' he said.

He needed the US ambassador's permission to stage the coup????

[Buchholz]

TV has quite a few members, maybe if we all write to Gen Anupong

Please address inquiries to the new Commander in Chief:

General Prayuth Chan-ocha, a staunch Thaksin foe

[trogers]

If there was a coup in the early 30s, would there have been the Night of the Long Knives, and 2nd World War?

[geriatrickid]

If there was a coup in the early 30s, would there have been the Night of the Long Knives, and 2nd World War?

Please don't go there. Whatever the failings of the deposed PM Thaksin were, he wasn't running death camps or invading other countries.

Take a hint from the news article. Mr. Thaksin is now being praised indirectly. Read between the lines, The foundation for Mr. Thaksin's rehabilitation is being laid. Although, it will cause some people in TVF to choke, don't be surprised when some powerful Thais assumed to be bitter enemies are exchanging smiles and wais. Unless both sides back down, this stupid factional fighting will continue. It may mean that Mr. Thaksin will have to give up all hope of regaining office, but in return, he might be allowed to return and not serve jail time. This isn't a Sicilian blood vendetta. The Thais can be quite pragmatic when the need arises. Look at the past coups. Even those that had blood on their hands were politically rehabilitated and reintegrated.

[Phuket Stan]

If there was a coup in the early 30s, would there have been the Night of the Long Knives, and 2nd World War?

Please don't go there. Whatever the failings of the deposed PM Thaksin were, he wasn't running death camps or invading other countries.

Take a hint from the news article. Mr. Thaksin is now being praised indirectly. Read between the lines, The foundation for Mr. Thaksin's rehabilitation is being laid. Although, it will cause some people in TVF to choke, don't be surprised when some powerful Thais assumed to be bitter enemies are exchanging smiles and wais. Unless both sides back down, this stupid factional fighting will continue. It may mean that Mr. Thaksin will have to give up all hope of regaining office, but in return, he might be allowed to return and not serve jail time. This isn't a Sicilian blood vendetta. The Thais can be quite pragmatic when the need arises. Look at the past coups. Even those that had blood on their hands were politically rehabilitated and reintegrated.

You are right on the money...its been feeling like this the last 3 or 4 weeks

[TAWP]

If there was a coup in the early 30s, would there have been the Night of the Long Knives, and 2nd World War?

Please don't go there. Whatever the failings of the deposed PM Thaksin were, he wasn't running death camps or invading other countries.

Neither would Hitler if there were a successful against him.

So in regards to Thaksin we cannot more than speculate as to what *might* have happened if the coup never happened.

Edited September 6, 2010 by TAWP

[Samuian]

Can't believe the question "why" the Thaksin assembled "democratically elected Government" had to be ousted is still lingering and why certain parties are still so keen, always pointing out that it was a democratically elected Government, is there any other way of elections, maybe this is pointing to the truth behind it all: riggged "elections" which have to be verified by underlining them as "democratic election"?

just a thought or two...

Edited September 6, 2010 by Samuian

[dominique355]

It's truly Amazing Thailand, where even 4 years after the military coup nobody is willing or able to tell the public why there was a coup.

If it was Thaksin's corruption, I would have expected that the coup makers have a thick dossier with all the evidence to show us the corruption, but this has never been shown to the public.

But now we learn the coup was staged because a general has a box full of letters asking him to do that. OK, so here we have democracy the way the Military understand it.

But perhaps there was another reason, but that cannot be told, not here, not in Thailand.

[hammered]

If there was a coup in the early 30s, would there have been the Night of the Long Knives, and 2nd World War?

Please don't go there. Whatever the failings of the deposed PM Thaksin were, he wasn't running death camps or invading other countries.

Take a hint from the news article. Mr. Thaksin is now being praised indirectly. Read between the lines, The foundation for Mr. Thaksin's rehabilitation is being laid. Although, it will cause some people in TVF to choke, don't be surprised when some powerful Thais assumed to be bitter enemies are exchanging smiles and wais. Unless both sides back down, this stupid factional fighting will continue. It may mean that Mr. Thaksin will have to give up all hope of regaining office, but in return, he might be allowed to return and not serve jail time. This isn't a Sicilian blood vendetta. The Thais can be quite pragmatic when the need arises. Look at the past coups. Even those that had blood on their hands were politically rehabilitated and reintegrated.

There is clearly a move to try and bring some "reconcilliation" around that involves parts of the PTP and red movement on terms set out by powerful people. Whether it involves Thaksin himself is another matter although personally I wouldnt exclude it. However, even if all that happens there will be a move to hang out to dry certain others who went too far.

[way2muchcoffee]

It's truly Amazing Thailand, where even 4 years after the military coup nobody is willing or able to tell the public why there was a coup.

If it was Thaksin's corruption, I would have expected that the coup makers have a thick dossier with all the evidence to show us the corruption, but this has never been shown to the public.

Oh but it has. Perhaps you are forgetting the 9-hour reading of the verdict from the 3-year assets concealment and corruption trial?