Thai army chief mum regarding possible coup

[webfact]

Thai army chief mum regarding possible coup
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 7 – Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha today neither confirmed nor denied widespread rumours of a coup, saying that a rumour is simply a rumour.

“Don’t be frightened of things that have yet to happen. There is a cause for everything; we have to find it,” he said.

Responding to the media about the movement of army troops and hardware into Bangkok, Gen Prayuth said it was for a military parade on Thai Army Day and to show the Thai people the modern weapons and armaments that Thailand has.

Asked if he would confirm that there would not be a coup, he said he would not do that because “there are reasons and causes for every phenomenon.”

“The military has nothing to do with the turmoil. Don’t get it involved. The army is not in the position to solve all problems and the government should avoid using "strong medicine" which is dangerous,” said the army chief.

Asked if it would be necessary to impose an emergency decree during the 'Bangkok Shutdown’ on Monday, Gen Prayuth said he had explained to the prime minister the necessities or conditions for implementation of a state of emergency.

“We do hope there won’t be violence and the conflicts will be resolved, he said, indicating that anyone instigating violence must be held accountable. The government must take responsibility,” he said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-07

[JRSoul]

They asked his mum?

[toybits]

I have never heard of a coup being announced before it took place. The military has not tipped its hands on this one. They appear to be fence-sitting but they have their own agenda - as they have had for many decades now.

[Prbkk]

"there is a cause for everything, we have to find it". I assume something is lost in translation..maybe not

[15Peter20]

I think he's waving his massive stick around, trying to make all sides paranoid enough to avoid the worst excesses of their ambitions. Army-spiel par excellance.

[Costas2008]

JRSoul, on 07 Jan 2014 - 13:25, said:

They asked his mum?

No.....they asked Chalem's mum and she confirmed that!

[Soutpeel]

Thai army day.....thought they said the tanks were coming for children's day ?......is someone telling porkies again ?

[zakk9]

When the country doesn't have enough money to pay the farmers, they have a very serious problem. Something very dramatic has to be changed, and it's difficult to see how the current crop of politicians would be able to do that. Too much money have been squandered, the politicians have had their go and they failed. Sad but true.

[englishoak]

They asked his mum?

Whats wrong with you ? TiT of COURSE they asked his mum. In fact he probably did too.

[JRSoul]

They should ask Jatuporn's mum.

[Local Drunk]

Mum can mean quiet or mother... mother here could be extrapolated to mean... I'll remain mum on that.

[Lite Beer]

Prayuth says govt must be held responsible if violence breaks out

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government would be held responsible if violence happens during the Bangkok Shutdown rally on Monday.

He said the government would be required to take responsibility by the principle if the people clash or kill each other or riote.

He said he hopes that there would be no violence and anyone who causes violence, he or she must be held responsible.

-- The Nation 2014-01-07

[TVGerry]

Prayuth says govt must be held responsible if violence breaks out

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government would be held responsible if violence happens during the Bangkok Shutdown rally on Monday.

He said the government would be required to take responsibility by the principle if the people clash or kill each other or riote.

He said he hopes that there would be no violence and anyone who causes violence, he or she must be held responsible.

-- The Nation 2014-01-07

Looks like General Prayuth has officially made his stance. Looks like it's bye bye to this government in a few days.

[Digitalbanana]

They asked his mum?

Yes.

[webfact]

Army chief to hold government responsible if violence breaks out



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government must be held responsible if the protest escalated to violence similar to the 2010 riot.

The army chief did not rule the possibility of a military coup when asked about the current coup rumor after unusual movement of a large number of troops and their armory in the capital.

He said the troop movement was just to take part in the military parade on the Armed Forces Day and had nothing to do with coup rumor.

He said “rumor is just a rumor, so don’t worry about the thing that isn’t coming or not seen yet. Everything that exists must have a cause and we will have to find out. If there isn’t a cause, it does not exist. It is like a cow. If the cow has no wound on its back, the crow will not hold on its back and bite it.”

Asked to comment on the need to invoke emergency decree to handle Bangkok shutdown protest, the army chief said that the current political situation involved three groups – the government, the PDRC, and the “third-hands”, unlike in 2010 when two groups were involved, the government and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

He said he has explained to the caretaker prime minister of the need and the reason to invoke the decree.

He told the prime minister that in 2010, protesters resorted to violence by using lethal weapons with a total of 96 violent cases reported. The situation developed gradually to the extent that the emergency decree was necessary, he said.

He said he has also advised the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order not to repeat the 2010 situation.

Gen Prayuth said that he did not support any side to resort to violent mean that could lead to loss of lives, adding whatever would happen, soldiers have to take care of the people no matter what color and which side.

Asked again whether he could confirm there would be no coup to resolve the conflict, Gen Prayuth did not rule out coup saying everything that happens has a cause and reason.

He asked not to implicate the army into the current conflict, and urged all sides to have patience and consciousness, saying the army is not an organization to resolve the problem.

But he advised the government to refrain from “using strong medicine as it is dangerous.”

Asked on the shutdown threat, the army chief said he was hopeful that if there was no violence, the situation could slowly ease.

However, he cautioned whoever resorting to violence, it must take full responsibility, particularly the government which is a universal principle for all governments to take responsibility if violence breaks out.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/army-chief-hold-government-responsible-violence-breaks/

-- Thai PBS 2014-01-07

[Emptyset]

However, he cautioned whoever resorting to violence, it must take full responsibility, particularly the government which is a universal principle for all governments to take responsibility if violence breaks out.

2010 being the exception, apparently...

[Smokemachine]

They asked his mum?

hahaha...

When i just randomly browse through, it is also my initial reading.

"Seriously, his mum coming to comment!?"

When i read again, i laugh to myself.

[Chang_paarp]

Where is the flashy light to get the attention of the government. (And the whooop whooop siren.)

[siampolee]

The expression on the esteemed Army Chiefs face reminds me of someone who is somewhat amused by the situation they've been asked to make a to comment on.

He would be a lousy poker player I think.

Edited January 7, 2014 by siampolee

[webfact]

Prayuth says situation not yet warranted state of emergency
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said Tuesday that the current situation has not yet warranted the declaration of state of emergency.

Prayuth said the situation was different from the red-shirt protests in 2010 because it 2010 there were a series of violent incidents before the emergency decree was invoked to declare the state of emergency.

He said the violent situation in 2010 continued for months but the rally this year has just continued for two moths.

Prayuth said he would try to have the conflict end before it would continue for several months like in 2010.


-- The Nation 2014-01-07

[Scamper]

If only this voice of reason and caution were also evident in the administration's increasingly muscular and defiant pronouncements. Indeed, the army does not want to get involved. The administration is desperate for their involvement - though of course - it must be added - only if it serves their interests. Without question, an emergency decree will be imposed, as it will be the final act of the administration to force the army's hand. But as we were all told as children in many a story - just be careful what you wish for.

[Mosha]

It sounds like Yingluck has been fired from her role as the Minister of Defence.

[bunny11kk]

Let's see how it goes! Let's see if there are going to be a lot MIB killing people regardless of police or protestors next week. I sincerely hope that the employer of MIB know that he is walking on thin ice!

Edited January 7, 2014 by SeaVisionBurma
font changed to standard

[fab4]

Prayuth says situation not yet warranted state of emergency

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said Tuesday that the current situation has not yet warranted the declaration of state of emergency.

Prayuth said the situation was different from the red-shirt protests in 2010 because it 2010 there were a series of violent incidents before the emergency decree was invoked to declare the state of emergency.

He said the violent situation in 2010 continued for months but the rally this year has just continued for two moths.

Prayuth said he would try to have the conflict end before it would continue for several months like in 2010.

-- The Nation 2014-01-07

.......but stick around long enough and a series of violent incidents might just occur and the army will have to step in to save the Thais from themselves

[citizen33]

It sounds like Yingluck has been fired from her role as the Minister of Defence.

Yes, I must confess that in the world I know it is the rogue general who gets fired by the Minister of Defence.

[Tatsujin]

Where is the flashy light to get the attention of the government. (And the whooop whooop siren.)

That only works when accompanied by the obligatory silly gay fat guy and the scary ghost . . . then you'll get the attention of every Thai.

[ratcatcher]

It sounds like Yingluck has been fired from her role as the Minister of Defence.

Yes, I must confess that in the world I know it is the rogue general who gets fired by the Minister of Defence.

Yes, that's in the world you know. This is the other world. Mysterious isn't it.

[Ricardo]

I think the army-chief is waiting for his political-boss, the Minister of Defence, to ask him & his jolly men-in-green to do a coup & press the political re-set button, so that the Red-Shirts can't blame him/them, like in 2010 ?

[ratcatcher]

I have never heard of a coup being announced before it took place. The military has not tipped its hands on this one. They appear to be fence-sitting but they have their own agenda - as they have had for many decades now.

"They appear to be fence-sitting............."

That's why they are in charge of de fence.

[huanga]

Right on, They will be even soon. There will be blood on Yingluck's hands the same way that the Reds put the blood on Abhisit and Suthep's hands. Get ready for the bloodshed, come next week. Then a coup will happen as Prayuth is already justifying this coming coup in his speech!

A very stupid statement. Southern thugs on drugs killing police and the government would be responsible. What the hell are you smoking Prayuth.

Prayuth says govt must be held responsible if violence breaks out

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government would be held responsible if violence happens during the Bangkok Shutdown rally on Monday.

He said the government would be required to take responsibility by the principle if the people clash or kill each other or riote.

He said he hopes that there would be no violence and anyone who causes violence, he or she must be held responsible.

-- The Nation 2014-01-07

Let's put it this way - if Abhisit and Suthep are guilty of any deaths in 2010 then exactly the same must apply to PTP.