Thai Army chief Prayuth reaffirms armed forces' neutrality

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POLITICS
Army chief Prayuth reaffirms armed forces' neutrality
The Nation


Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, centre, talks to Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order chief Surapong Tovichakchai-kul, right, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, where she follows the political situation.

Military distances itself from Niphat's election comment

BANGKOK: -- Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha insists on a neutral stance on the current political situation, saying the Army must always stay neutral in politics while continuing to maintain peace and social order, an Army spokesman said yesterday.


-- The Nation 2013-12-17

[ricku]

How boring. The army is not what it used to be. Either that or the puppet master in Dubai has paid them off.

The army should grow balls and start stirring some shit up.

Edited December 16, 2013 by ricku

[EricBerg]

So far the generals are consequent in where they stand. No reason to expect they will change that. The opposition should thank Suthep and send him home. Then start getting organised for political opposition. The protests overstayed their visa.

[Bender]

neutrality? do this guy have some brain?

Is role was to obey to the govt when the yellow thugs did invade Bkk.

Not cracking down on the yellow terrorist did clearly show his side...

Oh god, how much he would like to do one...BUT him and his friend Suthep didnt make a coup, because they can not do it.

Edited December 17, 2013 by Bender

[noitom]

This is typical Thai hypocrisy. The Thai army should have secured the airport a few years ago when it was commandeered by Thai demonstrators throwing world travel in to turmoil. The Thai armed forces did nothing. Now they are claiming "neutrality." Can you imagine? What a preposterous hypocrisy in Thailand with this army. Of course they should be neutral and shouldn't even be visible.

[Baerboxer]

neutrality? do this guy have some brain?

Is role was to obey to the govt when the yellow thugs did invade Bkk.

Not cracking down on the yellow terrorist did clearly show his side...

Oh god, how much he would like to do one...BUT him and his friend Suthep didnt make a coup, because they can not do it.

Your riveting and unbiased analysis of the complex myriad of inter relationships and intrigues that permeate the Thai political spectrum is breathtaking.

Have you thought of writing for AFP ?

[sunsamourai]

"Army must always stay neutral in politics while continuing to maintain peace and social order"

I thought that was the Police job.

Errr, well, I mean in other countries, where police actually *does* something.

Then , still in other countries, do we have the army's top brass showing their faces and commenting on politics each time people protest ? Like when the 'occupy wall street' movement camped for weeks in NY, same in Spain and other EU countries, did army commanders keep coming to reassure the electorate there will not be a coup d'etat ?

Thailand does have different ways to deal with politics obviously, not even mentioning *maintaining peace and order*...

[Pi Sek]

That photo is a classic.

[Costas2008]

Pi Sek, on 17 Dec 2013 - 11:04, said:

That photo is a classic.

It's a family photo.....Pity Big Brother was not in!!!!!!!

[smutcakes]

The army know now that any attempt they make to'influence' politics will be met with massive social condemnation at the very least, plus them influencing it to the negative for a TS proxy party would simply add credence to their "Bangkok and Military' elite credence.

Far to much of a risk for the army Generals to step in this time, and basically risk their cushy positions- once people retaliate to the army one time, that is it for their position as over lords of the country.

[ratcatcher]

This is typical Thai hypocrisy. The Thai army should have secured the airport a few years ago when it was commandeered by Thai demonstrators throwing world travel in to turmoil. The Thai armed forces did nothing. Now they are claiming "neutrality." Can you imagine? What a preposterous hypocrisy in Thailand with this army. Of course they should be neutral and shouldn't even be visible.

I am sure General Anupong, the head of the army, in November 2008 had a chat with Ms Yingluck's brother in law Somchai Wongsawat who was the P.M. at the time of this incident.

Perhaps dear Somchai felt it was imprudent to unleash the army onto the occupying protesters at Swampy & DMK when surely that was the duty of the Royal Thai Police?

Edited December 17, 2013 by ratcatcher