Protest leader Suthep discredits defense permanent secretary’s statement

[webfact]

Protest leader discredits defense permanent secretary’s statement



BANGKOK: -- The secretary-general of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) last night discredited a statement by the permanent secretary permanent for defense Gen Nipat Thonglek that the Armed Forces threw full support for the nationwide general elections on February 2.

The forum ended with the permanent secretary for the Prime Minister’s Office Thongthong Chantharangsu concluded that the majority of the people at the forum agreeing to holding the February 2 elections.

PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said what the general spoke yesterday at the government-hosted reform forum on “Which Way Thailand will Go” held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, was his own words and did not represent the Armed Forces.

Gen Nipat, who was the last speaker at the forum , read a statement claiming to represent the Armed Forces saying the Armed Forces upheld its role to protect the Constitution and support the holding of the general elections nationwide on February 2.

Gen Nipat said that whatever judgment the public would have after hearing the reform forum, it was clear that the Supreme Commander and all the commanders-in-chief of the three armed forces supported the February 2 general elections.

But last night Suthep countered Gen Nipat’s statement saying that the supreme commander and commanders-in-chief of the three armed forces did not say that.

He said it was the own words of the permanent secretary which did not represent the words of the commanders-in-chief of the three armed Forces.

He said what the Armed Force have made clear was that it did not side with any group but would stand by what they termed “Thailand”.

He then said that he has no surprises for the permanent secretary for defense to support the Feb 2 general elections because the general was handpicked by the fugitive politician in Dubai who advised her sister to appoint him to the position.

He said Gen Nipat was less senior among the military top brass but could step over other senior generals to the position.

Gen Nipat came from Class 14 of the Chulachomklao Royal Academy while the supreme commander from Class 12, he said.

However he said that the position of permanent secretary for defense was meaningless because he has no power while in fact the real power holders are the commanders-in-chief of the three armed forces.

He said that the Armed Forces is now in a crucial time because the people have anticipated that they would side with the people.

But he understood the stance of the Armed Forces that they have to stand by the rule of law and must be in disciplines.

He said he did not want the Armed Forces to intervene or even to stage a coup because it would not be accepted by all.

He then advised that the Armed Forces stay put and keep away from politics and let the people to struggle for their democratic reform alone.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/protest-leader-discredits-defense-permanent-secretarys-statement/


-- Thai PBS 2013-12-16

[adrian pinnell]

Completely lost his marbles!

[EricBerg]

And I come from class 10 of Utrecht University and say Suthep should retire fast. Very fast. Instantly please. He is quickly losing the sympathy that built up before.

[Spare]

The road to become a Supreme leader, Secretary General of the People Council is long and winding.

Hang on there for a few more days, and I am sure Suthep will win all Thai heart.

We all all march with you, just command us. Any day, and time, any where.

[webfact]

Suthep: Defence chief’s endorsement of Feb 2 election untrue
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 16 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban stood firm that the military brass has not endorsed Thailand’s general election on February 2 as claimed by a senior defence officer.

He said the supreme commander and leaders of the three armed forces did not raise the issue of the February 2 election during Saturday’s dialogue, attended by about 100 people including himself and nearly 20 members of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Permanent Secretary for Defence Gen Nipat Thonglek announced in the government-sponsored forum to find resolutions to the country’s political conflicts at Queen Sirikit Convention Centre yesterday that the top brass openly announced their support of the general election on February 2.

Mr Suthep said that Gen Nipat had reported the support of the top bras the day before, when in fact they had not made such an endorsement.

The supreme commander said he could dispatch nearly 400,000 personnel of the armed forces to ensure a fair and clean election if necessary, Gen Nipat told the forum.

Gen Nipat said the armed forces, particularly the supreme commander, have insisted that they strictly follow the Constitution and protect the country’s constitutional administration.

Mr Suthep, in his statement to protesters at the Democracy Monument last night, vehemently announced that a general election must not be held before a national reform takes place.

He said Gen Nipat, in his capacity as permanent secretary for defence, is not empowered to order leaders of the armed forces and their chains of command are separated.

The former Democrat MP claimed that the people will definitely boycott the general election unless it is organised after the national reform.

“If the government is stubborn and holds an election, it will not be a smooth one and you won’t have MPs in every province. Seats in Bangkok and Surat Thani will be vacant,” said Mr Suthep who was MP from the southern province of Surat Thani.

He said PDRC members will need a few days to decide if another call will be made for a citywide demonstration in Bangkok after five million people poured onto the streets in a massive protest against the Yingluck Shinawatra government on December 9. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-12-16

[Old Man River]

The road to become a Supreme leader, Secretary General of the People Council is long and winding.

Hang on there for a few more days, and I am sure Suthep will win all Thai heart.

We all all march with you, just command us. Any day, and time, any where.

In Bangkok.

[h90]

seems Suthep is loosing it.

Thaksin can buy everyone and everything, so it was hopeless from the beginning.

[chooka]

It's just not fair, I gave them a direct order to support me.

[RubbaJohnny]

Brass with class Nutland in a Thaishell.

Seldom do we get such incisive journalism

"reported the support of the top bras'

What a pithy !

with gems of clarity and insight the schemers and scammers can get back to business as usual

"

[Crazy chef 1]

as i even said in my home country: to be entitled to vote doesn't need a certain age , it needs a certain education level and common sense.

[mca]

"And i got this medal for ranting incoherently without repeating myself for 10 hours...."

[newcomer71]

Lol, he's a joker worth an Oscar!

He can discredit anyone talking anything different from his idea. If they talk something wrong, is not true! 555+++

[Curt1591]

… the people have anticipated that they would side with the people.

Pretty much sums it up!

[FangFerang]

According to the Nation, a poll showed a clear majority of Thais from all walks of life want political reform.

Good. Thais will do it their own way. Good.

Most of us living here just hope Thais do it without killing each other. That would be a goodness we have yet to see, but there is always hope.

[Ulic]

I have to say it sounds kind of like a stock annalist. A strong buy means buy, a hold means sell and a sell means, dump that shit now.

In this case Thongthong saying the military supporting the election and Suthep saying the military took no side and are neutral after

he has always implied the military supports him. I have to go with Thongthong's interpretation of the outcome.

[Baerboxer]

as i even said in my home country: to be entitled to vote doesn't need a certain age , it needs a certain education level and common sense.

Nonsense.

How do you judge common sense? Ah, any who agrees with your views has it. Those that don't agree with you clearly don't

Great plan Einstein.

[Boxclever]

"after five million people poured onto the streets in a massive protest against the Yingluck Shinawatra government on December 9".

It was maximum 180 thousand at it's peak, were does he get this 5 million from?

Nasty little man and habitual lier to boot!

[bangon04]

Why is the Permanent Secretary making political statements? That surely should be for the Defence Minister of the Royal Thai Government to do. Oops...forgot.. she is tired and emotional and needs to take a break.

[indyuk]

The road to become a Supreme leader, Secretary General of the People Council is long and winding.

Hang on there for a few more days, and I am sure Suthep will win all Thai heart.

We all all march with you, just command us. Any day, and time, any where.

Your problem and Suthep's is that we are not all with you, not 'by a very long chalk'.

[toybits]

Does Suthep already have a book and movie deal? If not, Seriously! He should!