Deputy Pm Yuthasak Dismisses Coup Speculation

[Lite Beer]

Deputy PM Yuthasak dismisses coup speculation

BANGKOK, March 26 -- Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa said Monday that there is neither reason nor factors suggesting that there could be a new coup as the government has been working well with the military.

The former defence minister told reporters that he was fully confident in the military and during the meetings with top brass including the Supreme Commander, the Army, Air Force and Navy Chiefs, all cooperate well with the government.

Gen Yuthasak said he sees no atmosphere or situation that could lead to a new putsch during the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

“I believe there will be no coup during the present government as there is no factor -- neither politics nor the annual military reshuffle -- that could lead to a new coup," he said.

The government has good understanding with the military and both parties are working very well together and often discuss and exchange ideas.

Gen Yuthasak was apparently responding to the recent comment by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's advisor Gen Panlop Pinmanee that it is possible that some members of the Council for National Security (CNS) who staged the 2006 coup ousting the Thaksin Shinawatra administration would repeat their seizure of power in the near future.

Moreover, Gen Yuthasak said emphatically that there would be no impact on Thailand’s national security if former premier Thaksin visited the Lao PDR and Cambodia to celebrate the traditional Songkran new year’s water festival next month .

He also denied a claim by opposition Democrat MP Sirichok Sopha that fugitive ex-PM Thaksin was detained at an Italian airport.

Gen Yuthasak explained that there had been a misunderstanding and that Italian immigration officials questioned Mr Thaksin before allowing him passage through the immigration procedure. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-26

[lannarebirth]

Sometimes I think that ThaiVisa along with it's news sourse partners just uses random headline/article generators to fill the pages of the Thailand News section. If they did, I wonder how long it would be till anyone noticed?

[CalgaryII]

"The government has good understanding with the military and both parties are working very well together and often discuss and exchange ideas".

All of the above, while retaining her grassroots, constituant support, in spite of their mindset vis-a-vis this military. Politically an impressive accomplishment.

[webfact]

Ministers Dissmiss Coup

BANGKOK: -- Two deputy prime ministers express confidence the army will not stage a coup to oust their government given there is still no condition giving way for such a move.

Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Saiprapa said there is still no sign or condition probably leading to a military coup as claimed by the premier's adviser General Panlop Pinmanee.

Yutthasak maintained the government and the military still work together well while the refusal to approve the latter's requested budget will not cause any problem.

However, the deputy prime minister suggested the government consult with the military on its work given it has to comply with its policy.

The general declined to comment whether the return of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra will lead to the coup and said no party has thought about the possibility.

He went on to say Thaksin's planned visit to Laos during the Songkran holiday will pose no threat to national security while saying the meeting of some parties with him is a personal matter.

Yutthasak dismissed as groundless a news report that Thaksin has been arrested in Germany given it was a misunderstanding of its immigration agency.

Another deputy prime minister Chalerm Yoobunrung would not comment on the rumored return of Thaksin or the claim that he is in talks with some court judges over the criminal charges against red-shirt protesters.

Chalerm stated he will not meet Thaksin in Laos given he is still tied up with the narcotics crackdown mission while saying the remark of Thaksin's old classmates at the military preparatory school to bring him back through Chiang Mai's border is not a good idea.

The deputy premier said the speculated military coup is baseless as there is no condition given the government should stay in power to its complete term.

He said the military coup as claimed by Panlop may have come from his hearing of different information.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-26

[webfact]

Chalerm denied military coup rumors

BANGKOK, 26 March 2012 (NNT)-Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung has dismissed military coup rumors, adding that his government will stay in power until the end of its term given this government is free of corruption.

The Deputy Prime Minister has brushed aside the statement made by Advisor to the Prime Minister General Pallop Pinmanee that some members of the military were thinking about forming another Council for National Security to stage a military coup. He claimed he had not received any inside information nor had he been seen any reason for the coup to take place.

As for reports saying how Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra has been talking to the judges to secure the release of the imprisoned red shirt protesters, the Deputy Prime Minister said he was not aware of such story. He also added that he would not travel to Laos to pay respect to Mr. Thaksin during the Songkran Festival as he had to take care of the chronic drug problems in Thailand.

-- NNT 2012-03-26

[rubl]

As for reports saying how Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra has been talking to the judges to secure the release of the imprisoned red shirt protesters, the Deputy Prime Minister said he was not aware of such story.

I'm surprised our Dept. PM Pol Captain Chalerm who has frequently said he'd get k. Thaksin back (soon) didn't listen in to the phone-in. Maybe too busy with other type of misschief?

[Pib]

"There Ain't Going To Be Any Military Coup" is pretty much a weekly statement from this or that politican...and we all know news agencies print anything and everything.

Ok, I think next week's "There Ain't Going to Be any Military Coup" statement is scheduled for around next Wednesday (the specific day varies from week to week).

[hellodolly]

Seems like most of that there will be a coup come from the PT members and their red shirted military wing.

[MAJIC]

“I believe there will be no coup during the present government as there is no factor -- neither politics nor the annual military reshuffle -- that could lead to a new coup," he said.

But bringing Thaksin back,could soon create a Coup though,

but I'm sure he knows this already,to talk about a non coup,would indicate concern rather than to clear the air,like testing the water....Hot or Cold?

Edited March 26, 2012 by MAJIC

[bigbamboo]

True to form if the government doesn't interfere with the military there won't be a problem.

[webfact]

No coup threat on the horizon: Yuthasak

The Nation

Government figures yesterday rejected speculation of another military coup against the ruling administration.

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha said he saw no reason or factors for a military coup in the current political situation.

"Today I have much confidence in the armed forces. As a former defence minister, I have worked closely with the armed forces commanders-in-chief and I don't think this thing [a coup] will happen with this government," Yuthasak said.

He said the armed forces have cooperated well with the government. "There have been no signs of discontent. And requests from the military have always been permitted," he said, adding that there was no problem with the recent mid-year (fiscal year) transfers of high-ranking military officers.

When asked if ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's attempt to return to Thailand without having to serve his jail term would cause some military officers to stage another coup, Yuthasak said he was unaware of any viewpoints from the military regarding the matter. Yuthasak said he did not think Thaksin's plan to celebrate the Songkran festival next month in the neighbouring Laos and Cambodia would be a security issue for Thailand.

Meanwhile, the prime minister's caretaker secretary-general, Police Maj-General Thawat Boonfuang, yesterday also ruled out the possibility of a military coup against the government.

"The armed forces and the government now have mutual understanding and trust. So, there is virtually no likelihood for the two sides to be in conflict or for a coup to be staged," Thawat said.

"I don't think there will be a coup against this government," he said and also dismissed reports that the government set up a "war room" to monitor developments about a possible coup.

Speculation of another coup intensified after General Panlop Pinmanee, an adviser to the prime minister, claimed a group of military officers were plotting to overthrow the Yingluck Shinawatra administration.

Thawat yesterday also dismissed media reports that military and police officers who were Thaksin's former classmates from Class 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School were planning to bring him back to Thailand safely.

He said that due to their limited influence and power, he did not think the Class 10 officers would want to do so. He added that the reports were just an attempt at "testing the water" or gauging public sentiment about the issue.

Thawat - himself one of the Class 10 graduates - said they had never discussed the matter. He added he believed Thaksin would not return to Thailand within this year.

-- The Nation 2012-03-27

[whybother]

Chalerm Yubamrung has dismissed military coup rumors, adding that his government will stay in power until the end of its term given this government is free of corruption.

... as opposed to the last government that was ousted in a coup.