Coup Talk Nonsense: Thai Army Chief Prayuth

[webfact]

Coup talk nonsense: Prayuth

By THE NATION

Speculation about the Army seizing power was nonsense, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday, who said he didn't waste his time thinking about it as he saw nothing to justify a coup being staged.

"Those who keep talking or asking about a coup should stop because they should not take such a nonsensical rumour seriously," he said.

Prayuth said his Army was unified and dedicated to serve the country. No military leaders, regardless of their names as "P" or "D", had thoughts on grabbing power, he said in reference to alleged coup plotters.

The Pheu Thai Party circulated the initials of top generals linked to a coup plot, fuelling speculation about the involvement of Prayuth, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Army Chief of Staff General Dapong Rattanasuwan.

The Army chief said political problems should be addressed and resolved through legal mechanisms and not the use of force.

"In the past, some people had asked for special military means to tackle the problems but they later condemned the intervention as undemocratic."

He said he had no aspirations to grab power or to seek political office. Under the prevailing political animosity, he believed no one would want to step into the fray.

While the armed forces were tasked with safeguarding the country and national security, they had to act on government orders and within a mandate prescribed under relevant laws, he said, alluding to a possible scenario of military involvement in restoring social order.

-- The Nation 2011-02-02

[asiawatcher]

More PT bullshit to entice dissension since the govt. has a firm hold now and PTP are clueless and leaderless with no chance at the next election. The PTP really has the Thai people's interests at heart by this constant rumour mongering. Talk about dirty politics? Does anyone take these fools seriously now?