Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

By Khaosod English

Boys playing with a tank on Children's Day, 16 January 2012

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army has instructed the public not to panic if they happen to see tanks rolling in Bangkok this Friday.

The army is due to move tanks, armoured vehicles, and other heavy equipment on 9 January, said Deputy Spokeswoman of the Royal Thai Army, Maj. Sirichan Ngathong. The weaponry will be exhibited to the public on the occasion of Children′s Day, which falls on 10 January this year, she said.

The Thai Children′s Day is celebrated on second Saturday of the year. One of its highlights is the display of military hardware, in which children are invited to ride on tanks or jet fighters.

According to Maj. Sirichan, venues of the military exhibition in Bangkok would be the 2nd Cavalry Division, King′s Guards, in Sanam Pao district, and the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters in Laksi district.

Helicopters will be transported from Lopburi province to Bangkok during the hours of 11.00-12.00 on 9 January, while land vehicles such as tanks, artillery pieces, Humvees, and armoured vehicles would be transported from Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Prachinburi, and certain army barracks in Bangkok from 19.00-22.00, said Maj. Sirichan

The convoys will travel along Petchakasem Road, Pin Klao-Nakhon Chaisri Road, Vibhavadi-Rang Sit Road, Paholyothin Road, and Chaeng Wattana Road, the army spokeswoman said, adding that the equipment will be similarly transported back to the barracks after the Children′s Day is over.

Maj. Sirichan said the public should not mistake such maneuver as a military coup.

Rumours of a possible coup are once again spreading in Thailand due to ongoing political turmoil, especially after Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, refused to completely dismiss reports that the army might stage a coup in the future.

"The military does not shut or open the door to a coup, but a decision depends on the situation," Gen. Prayuth is quoted as saying on 28 December last year.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE9EazVNREl5TkE9PQ==

-- Khaosod English 2014-01-06

Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

...if you really think about it- this actually says more about the state of Thailand, than many, many other things

just getting in some practice before the real thing...

I'm glad they are still setting this up for the weekend.

My sons love it. They get to climb all over tanks and

helicopters and stuff themselves with free goodies.

A great day out for the family every year.

Tanks and artillery for Children's Day! What could be more perverse? Perhaps they should show graphic vids of what battle tanks and such do to towns and human flesh.

It should read Tanks are for children while grown men act like fools and protest Democracy

If Thai Children′s Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of the year, how does it fall on Friday the 10th this year?

Reminiscent of Communist China and the old USSR, you think?

At today's bangkokpost is about tanks and artilery moving to town today, monday evening.Supposadly ahead military parade on 18th, which is army day.

Fishy.

Ps second saturday is on 11th, and not on 10th, as on article

I'm glad they are still setting this up for the weekend.

My sons love it. They get to climb all over tanks and

helicopters and stuff themselves with free goodies.

A great day out for the family every year.

I've gotta disagree man...

Tanks for childrens....lol. Wonder what the grown ups play with?

Sent from my GT-I9200 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Yes, its a crazy world, Taksin play with puppets, and children with tanks...

The army is right....the coup will not take place now.....it will be after the elections.....if they ever happen!

Tanks for the kids....

But on the plus side, the "adults" seem reasonably content with whistles at one party and white balloons at another one..... (If only, if only!)

Children's Day Jan. 13th

Tanks are for Children's Day - with the way that these politicians and the "color" people are behaving, we all know who the real children are. I can also further guess that these tanks are getting ready for the Children's Day (massacre), meaning 13-January, when tanks will roll out to shut these idiots out. Wishful thinking is they will blast away at both yellow and red and hopefully, also taking the remaining PTP and Democrates with them. Then, Thailand can really start the re-building process!

At least the Army is the only one honest about their intention in Thailand!

Tanks are for Children's Day - with the way that these politicians and the "color" people are behaving, we all know who the real children are. I can also further guess that these tanks are getting ready for the Children's Day (massacre), meaning 13-January, when tanks will roll out to shut these idiots out. Wishful thinking is they will blast away at both yellow and red and hopefully, also taking the remaining PTP and Democrates with them. Then, Thailand can really start the re-building process!

At least the Army is the only one honest about their intention in Thailand!

You don't think killing everyone might not be a tad excessive?

Tanks are for Children's Day - with the way that these politicians and the "color" people are behaving, we all know who the real children are. I can also further guess that these tanks are getting ready for the Children's Day (massacre), meaning 13-January, when tanks will roll out to shut these idiots out. Wishful thinking is they will blast away at both yellow and red and hopefully, also taking the remaining PTP and Democrates with them. Then, Thailand can really start the re-building process!

At least the Army is the only one honest about their intention in Thailand!

You don't think killing everyone might not be a tad excessive?

Obviously it's metaphorical speaking! But don't you also think it's a tad too much of these childish acts by these idiots that they call "politicians" in Thailand?

I wonder if there is any signifcance bringing equipment from these bases , I,m sure last two times a lot of gear came from Khanchanaburi,1st Army

Tanks are for Children's Day - with the way that these politicians and the "color" people are behaving, we all know who the real children are. I can also further guess that these tanks are getting ready for the Children's Day (massacre), meaning 13-January, when tanks will roll out to shut these idiots out. Wishful thinking is they will blast away at both yellow and red and hopefully, also taking the remaining PTP and Democrates with them. Then, Thailand can really start the re-building process!

At least the Army is the only one honest about their intention in Thailand!

You don't think killing everyone might not be a tad excessive?

Obviously it's metaphorical speaking! But don't you also think it's a tad too much of these childish acts by these idiots that they call "politicians" in Thailand?

Yes agree there, though my wishful thinking tends to take me to greener pastures.

It has been the custom for many years that the military had displays of military equipment on children's day. There will be a very good Air Show put on by the RTAF at Dom Muang, there will also be static displays of the oldest and newest aircraft. The RTAF museum will also be presenting the history of the RTAF. Military bases through Thailand will be open to the public, Naval Displays and tours of RTN Aircraft Carrier. Jumping from Airborn towers in Lopbuti.

Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

...if you really think about it- this actually says more about the state of Thailand, than many, many other things

does it really Our kids have always enjoyed their school trips to army or air force. The soldiers always made sure kids had a great day out. Is it any better in west where you have toy guns bought for kids all time and internet war games.

When I was a kid I would have been happy to climb over a tank.

When I was a kid I would have been happy to climb over a tank.

Heck, I'd be happy to do it now as an adult.

It has been the custom for many years that the military had displays of military equipment on children's day. There will be a very good Air Show put on by the RTAF at Dom Muang, there will also be static displays of the oldest and newest aircraft. The RTAF museum will also be presenting the history of the RTAF. Military bases through Thailand will be open to the public, Naval Displays and tours of RTN Aircraft Carrier. Jumping from Airborn towers in Lopbuti.

All good fun for the Kids, loved it at home, but I wonder if the history presentation will include bombing the PM,s ship on the Chao Prayo.

If Thai Children′s Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of the year, how does it fall on Friday the 10th this year?

They will be moving in to place on Friday 9th, ready for Children's Day on Saturday 10th.

the Military in every country play a big part with children as well as adults, in the British Military they called it KAPE, Keep The Army in the Public Eye it helps to build good will and kids love it,my 9 yr old daughter and her school just spent the weekend with the the Thai Army doing things, like hill walking,climbing to playing on a swing over a lake and they loved it, Good on The Royal Thai Army still carrying on as normal

I wonder when they ordered those tanks if it was only for coup d'état occasions?

the Military in every country play a big part with children as well as adults, in the British Military they called it KAPE, Keep The Army in the Public Eye it helps to build good will and kids love it,my 9 yr old daughter and her school just spent the weekend with the the Thai Army doing things, like hill walking,climbing to playing on a swing over a lake and they loved it, Good on The Royal Thai Army still carrying on as normal

In Austria they do it on the 26th October.....Good fun for the kids.

Adults worry, if we could defend us if San Marino or the Vatican attacks us.

Army: Tanks Are For Children's Day, Not Coup

If you read this headline quickly you might have the following thoughts:

Jeez, Thai children are that rough that they have to send in the tanks?

If they bring tanks out for Children's day, what will they bring out for a coup?

Everyone knows that coups happen in Thailand and therefore it is important to get people used to the sight of tanks on the streets. And that includes the children . . .

Thai army starts recruitment young!!!

And what was it they said the last time?!!