Thai PM sees little risk of another coup

[Lite Beer]

Thai PM sees little risk of another coup

BANGKOK, December 11, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's premier said Wednesday she was confident the military would not launch another coup to try to end the kingdom's political crisis, despite a history of seizing power.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the coup-makers who ousted her older brother Thaksin as prime minister seven years ago realised that it "doesn't solve any problems".

"I don't think the military will do that again," she told foreign reporters in Bangkok.

The 2006 coup ushered in years of political turmoil and sometimes violent street protests, with dozens of Thaksin supporters killed in a military crackdown on their rallies in central Bangkok three years ago under a previous government.

Thailand has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
Opposition protesters have appealed to the army to help them overthrow Yingluck's elected government.

But apart from sending some unarmed soldiers to help protect government buildings, the generals have so far avoided any public return to the fray.

Army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha said last week problem should be "solved by politics".

Thailand's courts also have a record of intervening in politics, dissolving parties and banning their executives. Some observers believe corruption allegations against the ruling party could form the basis for another "judicial coup".

But Yingluck said she was confident the party could defend itself against any such accusations.

The premier has faced weeks of mass opposition protests aimed at replacing her administration with an unelected "people's council" and ridding the kingdom of the influence of Thaksin.

Critics say he controls his sister's administration from his self-exile in Dubai.

In an effort to ease tensions, Yingluck on Monday called an early election, set for February 2.

She said Wednesday she had not yet decided whether she would run for prime minister again.

The political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and royalist elite backed by the military against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin.

Parties allied to the tycoon have won every election since 2001, most recently with a landslide victory for Yingluck's Puea Thai in 2011.

The premier criticised the anti-government protesters for ignoring the voice of her rural supporters.
"I came from the people's election of 16 million votes but nobody listens (to them)," she said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-12-11

[winstonc]

nobody listens to them she said.......and were still not until we need their votes......rice money is in the post ok....

[JRSoul]

They never see a good coup coming.

[ratcatcher]

Obviously she would think there's not much, if any, chance of a coup as she's fairly close to the military as the Defense Minister.

However if things carry on like they are, with the present protesters led by Suthep demanding she step down etc, and big Jatuporn ready to let his red shirts out of the box, the military may have no choice but to step in before the country descends into uncivil activities.

[TVGerry]

That's right Yingluck. Hide your head in the sand and hope for the best!

[boomerangutang]

I rarely agree with her, but on this one about a coup d'etat not immiment, I agree.

[cacruden]

It will be a judicial coup this time.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

As she is just a clone and we all know when her clone master (aka her caddy) says something it means the opposite, so here it comes decoded: Thai PM sees little risk of another coup = Thai PM sees risk of another coup

[kurtgruen]

hmmm, her head seems to be busy with other things and it may not have anything to do with sand, if she is so confident, there will be no military coup

[55Jay]

"I think" is about as accurate as it's going to get from a (caretaker) Defense Minister.

[petertucker48]

If Suthep doesn't back off there is no alternative but for a military coup.

There is Never going to be a "Peoples" (unelected) government.

He needs to have a few days off,relax and start thinking about his reckless Demands.

A support group of 200,000 people is Not what the other 20-30,000,000 want.

its all give and take.

[Tatsujin]

I found the recent poll results very interesting in the other thread, and if they don't pay the rice farmers soon (who are also threatening protests and blockades), that majority won't be there come election time either.

Things are a'changing (slightly and slowly).

[boomerangutang]

If Suthep doesn't back off there is no alternative but for a military coup.

There is Never going to be a "Peoples" (unelected) government.

He needs to have a few days off,relax and start thinking about his reckless Demands.

A support group of 200,000 people is Not what the other 20-30,000,000 want.

its all give and take.

Protests are like letters to the Editor in a newspaper: They're representative. If there are 50,000 people who read the paper, obviously not all are going to write letters on the same day. If there are 5 letters, then it can be assumed that each letter represents roughly 10,000 people, though perhaps not their personal opinions.

Similarly, not all Thais can or want to attend a rally in Bkk. Most Thais are over 200 km from there, and have jobs or are students. You can't assume that the tens of millions who don't attend a BKK rally are opposed to what the rally represents.

[boomerangutang]

I found the recent poll results very interesting in the other thread, and if they don't pay the rice farmers soon (who are also threatening protests and blockades), that majority won't be there come election time either.

Things are a'changing (slightly and slowly).

The rice farmers will likely be paid, even if it's from Thaksin's personal fortune. He, and the other power players know that keeping voting blocks paid is paramount. To the Shinawatres, it's akin to a biz expense. On 2nd thought, if farmers don't get paid, there will be a campaign by PT to try and blame it on the Dems.

[tominbkk]

How little she really knows, except to serve and protect her dear dear brother...

[Baerboxer]

These AFP so called reports are now so incredibly biased.

She ain't the PM or Premier anymore she's a caretaker. Thaksin's self imposed exile - he's a criminal fugitive on the run from a prison sentence and more serious charges. A large minority elected PTP etc etc.

Everything is worded to paint PTP, the caddie and his puppet in the best possible light, leaving out the full story when it suits.

[Tokay]

Thai PM sees little risk of another coup

Said every person who was overthrown by a coup.

[smedly]

she really did mention the "coup" word

reminds me of Faulty Towers - Don't mention the "Horse" when it was all about the "horse"

[surangw]

seems like once a politician makes a definite statement, the thing they say won't happen happens.

[noitom]

She's the Minister of Defense - She must certainly know what's going on with the Royal Thai Army. She is the Commander In Chief.

[Thai at Heart]

Why on earth would they be asking her anyway?

[NeverSure]

Why would she go public with a statement about a coup? Must be strongly on her mind.

No, she can't count on the military. Neither can the opposition.

I think this is far from being over. We'll see.

[briboy]

I think it is going to pretty much stay as it is now for a good while with no winners, maybe we need a couple of double pikes or a well executed swan dive off a balcony in Pattaya to happen so we can get back to being normal on here arguing wether it is suicide or murder.

[MAJIC]

"Replying to Thai PM sees little risk of another coup"

Any gambler wouldn't give good odds on a Coup not happening,18 coups and attempted coups! the figures are: 81 years since 1932 x 18 = 4.5 years per coup.Which would take some beating,anywhere in the world.

I'm going to pass on this one,if it should happen,and be as amicable as the last one,it could be good for Thailand.

Looking back on the last coup,the Military were the only rulers in recent years,that gave some brief welcome stability (1 year and 3 months as I recall) and then did what they said they would do,in the allotted time frame.And then gave the people their country back,.....how bad was that?

Edited December 11, 2013 by MAJIC

[boomerangutang]

seems like once a politician makes a definite statement, the thing they say won't happen - happens.

Similar to what I've been observing about Thaksin: If he makes a public statement, you can take the inverse of what he says, to find the truth. His puppet Chalerm; same same.

[binjalin]

She's right - now that the Army have denied Dear Leader a meeting

[kingalfred]

Have you ever seen foreign "hacks" interview the puppet? Its laughable ,as weak as water. Perhaps there are red bodyguards nearby to dissuade them from anything too tough.

Edited December 12, 2013 by kingalfred

[mikemac]

If she does get word that a coup is about to tear her and her cronies from the trough, she will be seen at the airport boarding a plane with a very large entourage all carrying large and heavy suitcases. (just like her gutless slimy bro did) and that luggage will not be full of jocks and socks ! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[northernjohn]

That's right Yingluck. Hide your head in the sand and hope for the best!

She is 100% correct.

The milatary learned in the last coup that unless the slime is permanetly erased it will solve nothing.