Thailand's army moves to ease coup fears

[webfact]

Thailand's Army Moves to Ease Coup Fears
Reuters

BANGKOK — Thailand's powerful but politicized army sought to ease fears on Monday it might step in to resolve a festering political crisis, while anti-government protesters entrenched positions around Bangkok as they seek to disrupt a February election.

The latest round of an all-too-familiar political conflict in Thailand has dragged on for weeks. It flared last week into deadly clashes between police and protesters outside a stadium where registration for the Feb. 2 poll was under way and at other rally sites around the Thai capital.

The head of the military added to the growing sense of unease on Thursday when he refused to rule out a coup after those clashes. A policeman and a protester were killed when an unidentified gunman opened fire, and scores were wounded in the clashes.

The demonstrators are determined to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who they accuse of being a puppet of her self-exiled brother and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thai army chief General Prayuth Chan-Ocha said after Thursday's clashes that “the door was neither open nor closed” on a coup, and social media across Thailand has buzzed with rumors of a coup ever since.

Army spokesman Winthai Suwaree sought to play down those fears, telling reporters on Monday that the rumors were causing “confusion and speculation”. [read more...]

Full story: http://www.voanews.com/content/thailands-army-moves-to-ease-coup-fears/1819905.html

-- Voice of America 2013-12-31

[ggold]

Not much change in their stance then! A non news story

[EricBerg]

The situation has to be assessed on a day to day basis. So far the army said they're not in the coup-business. Let's see what happens this weekend.

[englishoak]

Need to consult the Monks first for the right and most auspicious day ... it makes all the difference yknow.

[SebD]

Game over, then.

There's deffo gonna be a military coup.

Orwell was right (he's always right).

Doublespeak as in "I cannot foresee my ever challenging for the leadership" whenever a politician is asked if he/she wants to be the boss.

[Somtamnication]

The calm before the storm.

[Noi657]

It's coming... It's Definetely coming!

[sjjmmi]

Bring out the TANKS then

[Nowhereman60]

Suthep better report to the police before a coup. He would be safer in jail then with the Army.

[binjalin]

Often if a Thai denies something then it's true or if they swear it's true then, alas, often it's a lie - it's all part of "Thai-ness" which is why many people say "don't Thai to me" or are you "Thai-ing"

being honest is not part of Thai culture as it's simply not thought 'important'

[GazR]

Game over, then.

There's deffo gonna be a military coup.

Orwell was right (he's always right).

Doublespeak as in "I cannot foresee my ever challenging for the leadership" whenever a politician is asked if he/she wants to be the boss.

Not so fast: As I recall, in one of his Wartime Diaries I-V, Orwell expressed the view that Gandhi's non-violent protests presented no great threat to British rule as they would ultimately prove ineffective against military force. I'm not saying he was wrong about this, I'm just saying we will never know if he was right.

[Ricardo]

Suthep better report to the police before a coup. He would be safer in jail then with the Army.

Why's that ?

[SebD]

Game over, then.

There's deffo gonna be a military coup.

Orwell was right (he's always right).

Doublespeak as in "I cannot foresee my ever challenging for the leadership" whenever a politician is asked if he/she wants to be the boss.

Not so fast: As I recall, in one of his Wartime Diaries I-V, Orwell expressed the view that Gandhi's non-violent protests presented no great threat to British rule as they would ultimately prove ineffective against military force. I'm not saying he was wrong about this, I'm just saying we will never know if he was right.

No, he was right.

Any unarmed group facing down an army is gonna be pretty ineffective, I'd wager.

As you say though, it never came to that as Britain was already tired of Empire by that point.

Good thing, too.

[bunny11kk]

Suthep better report to the police before a coup. He would be safer in jail then with the Army.

Why's that ?

He is simply giving BS comment!

[Thaddeus]

When a grid-lock is created by a train-wreck, someone has to tow away the wreckage.

[englishoak]

What i want to know is when the bookies start taking bets

[noitom]

When one door closes another one opens. These Thais are clever. Usually when an army "moves" it is positioning for battle or retreat. Seeking is very different from moving especially for an army. But in Thailand, you never know.

[soi41]

Suthep better report to the police before a coup. He would be safer in jail then with the Army.

Wrong!! He was the one, who enabled the army to get their place at the trough, so they will reward him by giving him power after a year or so, with help of the "legal" system!!

We all know, that Dear Leader thinks, that democratic elections are "undemocratic"!

On a sidenote. This story was reported earlier, how can be "news" again by being repeated by Voice of America??

[retsdon]

It doesn't seem like the army has an interest in seizing power. I would also hazard a guess that there are real fears of precipitating a factional split within the army itself if it is seen to favour one side or the other. But with Suthep hell bent on anarchy, the army might have no choice. My guess is that at some point the soldiers will be out on the streets - but only when absolutely forced to it by an actual breakdown of law and social order. Dangerous times ahead.

[Yunla]

Not so fast: As I recall, in one of his Wartime Diaries I-V, Orwell expressed the view that Gandhi's non-violent protests presented no great threat to British rule as they would ultimately prove ineffective against military force. I'm not saying he was wrong about this, I'm just saying we will never know if he was right.

Re; Orwell, he was wrong, in that he completely underestimated the scope and power of the supernational robot jackboots that are a-hovering over the common man.

Re; Gandhi, liberation was obviously important, but the act of dying without striking back was more important to him. He felt that he would rather die, quite literally, than cause harm to others, or to obey laws which he did not see as fair. His family and followers believed this to a lesser and varying degree. People disagree on this and some even flame the great man, but I personally consider him an incredible human being.

Re; the Thai army, who knows. My only concern is that whoever is in control, there are no more deaths or injuries and that people can start working towards a brighter Thailand.

[Mackie]

What's the big deal? Some of you sound as if you would prefer a civil war between Thais. I'll take a military coup any time of the day. I still remember the last one in 2006. It was business as usual. Ordinary people went about their business as if nothing had happened.

Calling Thailand democracy is beyond ridiculous. UDD/Red shirts champions of democracy and freedom? Get real.

[personchester]

The street protesters intent to stop the general election which will take place in February 2014 because they know they might not win in order to become the government, as a result new violent street protests will take place within a few days.

The non-political state authorities in Thailand can not really accept the continuance of those violent political street activities in their capital city (BKK) and like done in the past the army will again enter with their massive tanks the streets in BKK in order to stop the riots.

The protesting democratic party should in order to win the election publish clearly in all national regions the details of their political activity when elected, the Thai population will then be able to decide which party to elect, and the outcome of the general election should and must be accepted by all the parties.

[Ricardo]

Suthep better report to the police before a coup. He would be safer in jail then with the Army.

Why's that ?

He is simply giving BS comment!

That's one possibility, or perhaps he really does have something cogent to add to the thread, but was just pressed-for-time so couldn't expand on his brief comment ?

Let's see what response he makes.

[technologybytes]

It's difficult to see the problem resolved without intervention.

On the one hand the protesters want to see Yingluck removed, however she is democratically elected and everybody knows that in any election she will be re-elected.

The answer may be for someone to rule that it's illegal for her to be prime minister because of her connections with her brother, however she would only be replaced with another puppet.

You can't win really, politics the world over only offer an illusion of democracy.. every government knows that you can't actually allow the people to choose..

[jonclark]

A coup could either trigger a more protracted conflict and further polarize the country. Or it could provide both sides with enough breathing space to calm down, resolve their differences and then hold an election 12 months down the track.

If there is to be a coup - which i hope there is not as a political mutually acceptable solution would be far better - then lets at least hope the main protagonists don't use it as an excuse to whip up their supporters into a frenzy, but rather take it as an opportunity to foster a broader sense of co-operation and understanding between each other, so the country can progress when elections are held.

No one wants to see violence between rival Thai factions - And if you do then you are a dick!!

[Tubby]

my money on a coup within 2 weeks, if Suthep and his Muppets try to close Bangkok down, the army will step in.

[Phuketboy]

Sorry if I'm completely off topic. I'm not real familiar with Thai politics at all as I have never really taken an interest. To me Governments are all the same, full of shit and only ever do what's right for them. So was wondering if someone could please explain why, if the people of the country don't want Yinluck in power did they ever vote for her in the first place? I understand that her brother was in power before which seems quite strange how a brother and sister can both have their time at the top of the political ladder (Corruption at it's finest). Could someone also explain why, if she has the interests of the country at heart would she not step down in order to keep peace? If everyone hates her so much I'm surprised she hasn't been physically removed one way or another. I also don't understand why "The Family" don't step in and sort this out (Rule as rulers do). After all the entire country loves them and will listen to their every word.

[binjalin]

Sorry if I'm completely off topic. I'm not real familiar with Thai politics at all as I have never really taken an interest. To me Governments are all the same, full of shit and only ever do what's right for them. So was wondering if someone could please explain why, if the people of the country don't want Yinluck in power did they ever vote for her in the first place? I understand that her brother was in power before which seems quite strange how a brother and sister can both have their time at the top of the political ladder (Corruption at it's finest). Could someone also explain why, if she has the interests of the country at heart would she not step down in order to keep peace? If everyone hates her so much I'm surprised she hasn't been physically removed one way or another. I also don't understand why "The Family" don't step in and sort this out (Rule as rulers do). After all the entire country loves them and will listen to their every word.

1. The people of the country do want Yingluck - what makes you think they don't? a few hundred thousand protesters? a single swallow doth not a Summer make

2. You don't think it strange when their was Bush as president and then Bush Junior? what't the big deal?

3. Why step down when they had a landslide majority at the last election?

4. "everyone" doesn't hate her

5. Understand this is an attempted coup by the "old guard" to protect the elite's power - that's why they do not support one person- one vote

6. Against the TVF rules to discuss "the family"

[hellodolly]

Game over, then.

There's deffo gonna be a military coup.

Orwell was right (he's always right).

Doublespeak as in "I cannot foresee my ever challenging for the leadership" whenever a politician is asked if he/she wants to be the boss.

Like to point out the very title of the book 1984 makes him wrong from the start.

They say Thaksin has effectively manipulated a fragile democracy by buying the support of the rural poor with populist policies such as cheap healthcare, easy credit and subsidies for rice farmers. Many poor voters say Thaksin was the first leader to actually keep election promises to help them.

I hear that often. other than access to medical help what have they got to show from his years in power. the world was booming and ?Thailand was just riding on it. It had nothing to do with Thaksin. Yes the cheap credit. Thereby increasing their poverty.

I had to laugh at the last paragraph where Yingluck said she would do any thing as long as it is constitutional to ease the situation. So far I have heard that it is constitutional to delay the election and form a committee to look into reform for the Election system and the rest of the Government but she is not willing to step down and do that. After the election which she will probably win she says she will do it. But she has no interest what so ever in reform in the electoral system until she is once a gain in the drivers seat. Some how that does not reassure me. As for a coup not going to happen.Suthep has tried to get the army but they won't even talk to him. But they will set up a meeting between him and Yingluck.

I think we would only see the army get involved if it was to turn into a armed assault on the country such as the red shirts did in 2010. Keeping it peaceful is Suthep's biggest problem particularly when it is easy for some one to infiltrate them and cause a disturbance.

[andyww]

If there is no coup it means the "master plan" of those on high will have failed. But much more likely there will be.