Thai Army Chief Denies Coup Plot

[whybother]

*sigh*

I think he's been reading and listening to the red propaganda for most of those 20 years too.

Reading and listening to Red propaganda? Sorry, that is not possible. Every Red radio station,every Red T.V. station, has been shut down by the present Govt. Months ago ,The Red shirts have no effective media. Thailand , now rates as about the the 120th most deprived country in the world. With respect to freedom of the media. Source> Reporters without Borders. It appears that over 200,000 websites are blocked or banned in Thailand.

Yes. Months ago, generally because they were inciting violence ... but, you've been there for 20 years, so enough time to be brain washed by it.

[whybother]

Who made the allegations about a coup again?

Ah, same as the last time. And the time before that, etc etc etc.

Just look at the history, when the ruling classes are under threat they have a coup. Usually every 31/2 yrs. One s coming, not sure of the reason, you can bet your hairy bean bag on it. The Peua Thai have just stated the obvious in a vain attempt to delay it

They state "the obvious" every month or two. Why would there be a coup now or the last 5 times he's said it?

[truethailand]

I do not really understand.

A coup to remove who? and replace with who?

Army chief openly does not support Reds or PT Party.

So if the was a coup, presumably to remove democrats from the government, but then who would he support?.

To be honest to me it makes not sense and if anything its another poor attempt by PT to create instability in the country and the government

Its not about removing people its about putting things in place for when it happens. If you need me to explain that I cant..work it out. After seeing Seh Daeng parade around in May, prior to being shot, I would say that strutting comes from a confidence that he may not be the only Army officer whos weighing up his options. I cant see the army being united if some of their officers are considering batting for the other side. Conscript walk out on the cards

[truethailand]

Who made the allegations about a coup again?

Ah, same as the last time. And the time before that, etc etc etc.

Just look at the history, when the ruling classes are under threat they have a coup. Usually every 31/2 yrs. One s coming, not sure of the reason, you can bet your hairy bean bag on it. The Peua Thai have just stated the obvious in a vain attempt to delay it

They state "the obvious" every month or two. Why would there be a coup now or the last 5 times he's said it?

I think you know the answer but rules are rules on here

[kuffki]

I do not really understand.

A coup to remove who? and replace with who?

Army chief openly does not support Reds or PT Party.

So if the was a coup, presumably to remove democrats from the government, but then who would he support?.

To be honest to me it makes not sense and if anything its another poor attempt by PT to create instability in the country and the government

Its not about removing people its about putting things in place for when it happens. If you need me to explain that I cant..work it out. After seeing Seh Daeng parade around in May, prior to being shot, I would say that strutting comes from a confidence that he may not be the only Army officer whos weighing up his options. I cant see the army being united if some of their officers are considering batting for the other side. Conscript walk out on the cards

You forget Seh Daeng was a PTP supporter and all other officer(possible supporters) saw what happened to him, i really doubt they want to take his place. Top brass does not support PTP, so for them everything is in place

you say for putting things in place when it happens, but what things? and when what happens?

Sorry i do not follow your logic.

Unless you trying to say that the coup would be aimed at giving power to PTP, but since the top brass has already expressed their views and opinions on the matter, i am having hard time seeing some low ranked general leading any kind of coup and if there was any kind of plan/agreement between PTP and army to stage a coup, i doubt PTP would be making it public, making open statements like this

To be honest i can only think of 1 event that would make any kind of reason, but if that day comes, god help Thailand and all of us here.

Edited November 8, 2010 by kuffki

[whybother]

I think you know the answer but rules are rules on here

No I don't know the answer. And I don't think it's what you're alluding to ... yet.

[afarang]

Who made the allegations about a coup again?

Ah, same as the last time. And the time before that, etc etc etc.

Just look at the history, when the ruling classes are under threat they have a coup. Usually every 31/2 yrs. One s coming, not sure of the reason, you can bet your hairy bean bag on it. The Peua Thai have just stated the obvious in a vain attempt to delay it

You are quite correct, When the "elite"feel threatened, they call in the army. Interesting, how many "watermelons" are there in the army?

[truethailand]

I do not really understand.

A coup to remove who? and replace with who?

Army chief openly does not support Reds or PT Party.

So if the was a coup, presumably to remove democrats from the government, but then who would he support?.

To be honest to me it makes not sense and if anything its another poor attempt by PT to create instability in the country and the government

"its another poor attempt by PT to create instability in the country

and the government"

That is the crux of it right there.

Instability is the ONLY thing that can give PTP anything resembling an edge.

But their main instigator of these attempts, has so little credibility outside

red circles (tail chasing) that most Thais don't get riled about his blather.

That said, It is the boiler plate announcement of the new army head,

not that he takes Jatuporns rants seriously, but better to just state 'no',

for those few who may be credulous enough to think J. is realistic.

There is not logical or pressing reason for an army coup,

army head is not letting that side of the army out of his control.

Because for that to happen at this state would mean he has acquiesced to it.

'There is not a logical reason or pressing reason for an army coup' Please tell me you wrote that without thinking and I will excuse you

[Insight]

This thread is now really reaching for the red shirt buzzword bible. Coup, elite, watermelons. Anyone taking odds on "tomato" or "duben stantad" ?

[whybother]

You are quite correct, When the "elite"feel threatened, they call in the army. Interesting, how many "watermelons" are there in the army?

If there were so many "watermelons" in the army, why would the "elite" call them in? Now you're just clutching at straws.

[afarang]

This thread is now really reaching for the red shirt buzzword bible. Coup, elite, watermelons. Anyone taking odds on "tomato" or "duben stantad" ?

Sadly. tomatoes in Thailand lack flavour

[whybother]

'There is not a logical reason or pressing reason for an army coup' Please tell me you wrote that without thinking and I will excuse you

Please enlighten us as to what you think a logical or pressing reason for coup is at the moment?

[Thai at Heart]

You are quite correct, When the "elite"feel threatened, they call in the army. Interesting, how many "watermelons" are there in the army?

If there were so many "watermelons" in the army, why would the "elite" call them in? Now you're just clutching at straws.

How many soldiers had to be mobilised to hold the coup last time? I would reckon less than a couple of thousand. The vast amount of the army simply sat put.

Does anyone think that these things are just decided on a whim? This is Thailand. There are no principles that cannot be turned by the almighty baht and the promise of promotion. Those that want the coup make sure that anyone not wanting to fall in line are gently persuaded to do so, and whilst they may not like it 100%, all they will be asked to do is sit tight and await the cashiers cheque.

A watermelon with no gun, makes good target practice.

[truethailand]

'There is not a logical reason or pressing reason for an army coup' Please tell me you wrote that without thinking and I will excuse you

Please enlighten us as to what you think a logical or pressing reason for coup is at the moment?

They wont get the water melons in next time they will not participate in any coup, It will be just about defending the interests of the few. As for your other question all I can say is think in to the future and you will see a time, maybe soon maybe later, when the few will need protecting bcos there wont be anyone else to do it. Remember rules are rules.

[afarang]

You are quite correct, When the "elite"feel threatened, they call in the army. Interesting, how many "watermelons" are there in the army?

If there were so many "watermelons" in the army, why would the "elite" call them in? Now you're just clutching at straws.

No, the army calls in, as you say ,those units which are guaranteed to have no "watermelons" They are primarily based in Lop Buri , or Prachin Buri. The most obvious are called the Queens Guards, which every recent army chief comes from . They are guaranteed "watermelon" free

[whybother]

'There is not a logical reason or pressing reason for an army coup' Please tell me you wrote that without thinking and I will excuse you

Please enlighten us as to what you think a logical or pressing reason for coup is at the moment?

They wont get the water melons in next time they will not participate in any coup, It will be just about defending the interests of the few. As for your other question all I can say is think in to the future and you will see a time, maybe soon maybe later, when the few will need protecting bcos there wont be anyone else to do it. Remember rules are rules.

So, based on that statement, there is going to be a coup, so if Jatuporn says it once a month, he's bound to be right eventually.

[hanuman1]

You are quite correct, When the "elite"feel threatened, they call in the army. Interesting, how many "watermelons" are there in the army?

If there were so many "watermelons" in the army, why would the "elite" call them in? Now you're just clutching at straws.

Do you know which units were called in to do the heaviest fighting and crowd control when push came to shove? My understanding is that certain units of a particularly fervent persuation were brought in to replace other units who it was feared may not have 'got the job done' as effectively, shall we say. At least one of these units bore the name of a particularly unmentionable person.

Anyway, i just wanted to point out that there are divisions in the army although I've no idea how deep the rifts are, and all units are most certainly not the same in terms of their personal conviction towards undertaking the kind of work they've been required to do over the last couple of years.

[afarang]

You are quite correct, When the "elite"feel threatened, they call in the army. Interesting, how many "watermelons" are there in the army?

If there were so many "watermelons" in the army, why would the "elite" call them in? Now you're just clutching at straws.

No, the army calls in, as you say ,those units which are guaranteed to have no "watermelons" They are primarily based in Lop Buri , or Prachin Buri. The most obvious are called the Queens Guards, which every recent army chief comes from . They are guaranteed "watermelon" free

How many? A most interesting question. Given that Thailand has conscription, and that Isarn is 1/3 of the Thai population, and that many of the "elite" buy themselves out of being conscripted, I leave it up to you to do the calculation.

[kuffki]

'There is not a logical reason or pressing reason for an army coup' Please tell me you wrote that without thinking and I will excuse you

Please enlighten us as to what you think a logical or pressing reason for coup is at the moment?

They wont get the water melons in next time they will not participate in any coup, It will be just about defending the interests of the few. As for your other question all I can say is think in to the future and you will see a time, maybe soon maybe later, when the few will need protecting bcos there wont be anyone else to do it. Remember rules are rules.

So, based on that statement, there is going to be a coup, so if Jatuporn says it once a month, he's bound to be right eventually.

LOL, May be thats the reason why he says it so much, so eventually he MAY be correct and might be able to re-gain some respect or credibility

[Thai at Heart]

'There is not a logical reason or pressing reason for an army coup' Please tell me you wrote that without thinking and I will excuse you

Please enlighten us as to what you think a logical or pressing reason for coup is at the moment?

They wont get the water melons in next time they will not participate in any coup, It will be just about defending the interests of the few. As for your other question all I can say is think in to the future and you will see a time, maybe soon maybe later, when the few will need protecting bcos there wont be anyone else to do it. Remember rules are rules.

So, based on that statement, there is going to be a coup, so if Jatuporn says it once a month, he's bound to be right eventually.

As will the head of the army be proven eventually to have been economical with the truth.

"Holding a Coup - How to make Friends and Influence People the Thai Army Way" has probably been part of officer training for 40 years.

I would imagine the latest versions of the course have been updated a bit since 2006. It was all so 1960s, with flowers on tanks and grey faced blokes on TV mumbling.

Expect the new version to be far more with it. They will probably have a facebook page.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[afarang]

You are quite correct, When the "elite"feel threatened, they call in the army. Interesting, how many "watermelons" are there in the army?

If there were so many "watermelons" in the army, why would the "elite" call them in? Now you're just clutching at straws.

Do you know which units were called in to do the heaviest fighting and crowd control when push came to shove? My understanding is that certain units of a particularly fervent persuation were brought in to replace other units who it was feared may not have 'got the job done' as effectively, shall we say. At least one of these units bore the name of a particularly unmentionable person.

Anyway, i just wanted to point out that there are divisions in the army although I've no idea how deep the rifts are, and all units are most certainly not the same in terms of their personal conviction towards undertaking the kind of work they've been required to do over the last couple of years.

Absolutely correct. The rifts may well be very deep.Oh!, how diplomatic am I?

[kuffki]

You are quite correct, When the "elite"feel threatened, they call in the army. Interesting, how many "watermelons" are there in the army?

If there were so many "watermelons" in the army, why would the "elite" call them in? Now you're just clutching at straws.

No, the army calls in, as you say ,those units which are guaranteed to have no "watermelons" They are primarily based in Lop Buri , or Prachin Buri. The most obvious are called the Queens Guards, which every recent army chief comes from . They are guaranteed "watermelon" free

How many? A most interesting question. Given that Thailand has conscription, and that Isarn is 1/3 of the Thai population, and that many of the "elite" buy themselves out of being conscripted, I leave it up to you to do the calculation.

you are 100% correct, but you must keep in mind that middle ranked and top ranked officer mostly are "elite" .

just foot and low ranked soldiers are not capable of staging a coup.

I will say that i have no doubt there could be some plan in place in case of something happening in the future, but i do not see one any time soon if current circumstances remain.

[whybother]

you are 100% correct, but you must keep in mind that middle ranked and top ranked officer mostly are "elite" .

just foot and low ranked soldiers are not capable of staging a coup.

I will say that i have no doubt there could be some plan in place in case of something happening in the future, but i do not see one any time soon if current circumstances remain.

I agree.

[afarang]

Yes, there is zero chance of anything like that happening . As of now

[hanuman1]

you are 100% correct, but you must keep in mind that middle ranked and top ranked officer mostly are "elite" .

just foot and low ranked soldiers are not capable of staging a coup.

I will say that i have no doubt there could be some plan in place in case of something happening in the future, but i do not see one any time soon if current circumstances remain.

I agree.

Agreed. And something definitely will happen in the future.

[whybother]

you are 100% correct, but you must keep in mind that middle ranked and top ranked officer mostly are "elite" .

just foot and low ranked soldiers are not capable of staging a coup.

I will say that i have no doubt there could be some plan in place in case of something happening in the future, but i do not see one any time soon if current circumstances remain.

I agree.

Agreed. And something definitely will happen in the future.

Yes. I'm 100% sure something will happen.

[afarang]

A point to ponder. In the past everything was centred on Bangkok. Will that be the same in the future?Who staged the coups?Everything in the past was Bangkok centric. Is that the future?

[whybother]

A point to ponder. In the past everything was centred on Bangkok. Will that be the same in the future?Who staged the coups?Everything in the past was Bangkok centric. Is that the future?

That's where everything is. What would be the point of taking over Chiang Mai (for example)?

[kuffki]

A point to ponder. In the past everything was centred on Bangkok. Will that be the same in the future?Who staged the coups?Everything in the past was Bangkok centric. Is that the future?

Please stop with your points to ponder-LOL

Seeing as this is Thailand, actions and reactions of the future are almost impossible to predict. There are certain facts in life that can not even be altered by Thai politicians, but the action and reaction is a totally separate matter and this country is well known by now by its totally unpredictable actions.

I will even go further and say that even if all of us on this forum came up with possible scenario's i have a feeling politicians or the army will find a way surprise us all-

[Insight]

You are quite correct, When the "elite"feel threatened, they call in the army. Interesting, how many "watermelons" are there in the army?

If there were so many "watermelons" in the army, why would the "elite" call them in? Now you're just clutching at straws.

Do you know which units were called in to do the heaviest fighting and crowd control when push came to shove? My understanding is that certain units of a particularly fervent persuation were brought in to replace other units who it was feared may not have 'got the job done' as effectively, shall we say. At least one of these units bore the name of a particularly unmentionable person.

Anyway, i just wanted to point out that there are divisions in the army although I've no idea how deep the rifts are, and all units are most certainly not the same in terms of their personal conviction towards undertaking the kind of work they've been required to do over the last couple of years.

It's the exact same script pre this year's red shirt occupation. These watermelons didn't come running to the aid of the red shirts in the end, and neither did the so-called "tomato police" as some speculated. All what was seen was pockets of reaistance by a few people openly loyal to Seh Daeng, and this is over the whole country, not just BKK. If they did exist in the numbers initially suggested by the reds why did they not come running? And now there's been the change of command the red shirts tried so hard to intervene with, surely the task of motivating soldiers against the current status quo will be much more difficult?