Army chief hits back at red-shirt leaders, telling them to stop framing military

[webfact]

Army chief tells red-shirt leaders to stop framing military
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Monday hit back at the red-shirt leaders, saying they should stop trying to frame the military and should take responsibility for damages done in red-shirt protests in 2010.

Prayuth was referring to the dissemination of a photo of a Navy officer said to be the assailant who threw grenades at the Victory Monument on Sunday.

"I would like to tell those who tried to frame the armed forces that they should take responsibility for what happened in 2010," Prayuth said without mentioning the red-shirt leaders directly but apparently referring to them.

He said when the Army performed a parade to display its military capability, no one admired the capability but the red-shirt leaders accused the Army of planning to stage a coup. "This is regretful," Prayuth said.

The Army chief urged the public members to use their judgment to screen information disseminated on social media before passing on or sharing the information.

He said the sharing of false information against the armed forces could damage the military's reputation. He said the information should be verified by police before it could be shared or passed on.

Prayuth said soldiers are no enemies of the people no matter which side the people belong to.

He said the people should help find the cause of the on-going political conflicts instead of blaming the violence on officials and blaming it on the armed forces for not coming out to keep order.

He said troops were deployed to keep order in 2010 because they carried out the duty under the emergency decree but the current situation had not turned as much violent as in 2010.

He said he had concerned about the violence and he talked to Police Commissioner-General Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew about the seuciryt measures. He said the Army would increase security checkpoints to work with police to try to prevent more violence.


-- The Nation 2014-01-20

[Thailand]

Perhaps the CIC would be better saying nothing as it is becoming plainer by the day where their allegiance lies?

[TVGerry]

My dear General, you should know by now the red shirts NEVER take responsibility for anything. It's always someone elses' fault, not theirs'.

[diceq]

Did any red shirt leaders comment on this? The only thing I have seen is on social media.

[moonao]

These guys don't care for the people, they just care about holding on to power for them and their elite allies.

[Scamper]

Indeed, the red shirt movement, the administration, and the police - all in tandem - are now all frantically trying to keep up with each atrocious attack in order to simultaneously wage a National Enquirer campaign aimed at discrediting not only the peaceful reform movement, but apparently every Thai man and woman's intelligence as well.

[firestar]

Is he referring to this photo...

How is that trying to frame? If they really were neutral and one of their men had been found to break their orders shouldn't they welcome the information so they could investigate?

Edited January 20, 2014 by firestar

[diceq]

My dear General, you should know by now the red shirts NEVER take responsibility for anything. It's always someone elses' fault, not theirs'.

There is nothing to take responsibility for that I know of. Using violence against a dictatorship is always justified.

[Tatsujin]

Indeed, the red shirt movement, the administration, and the police - all in tandem - are now all frantically trying to keep up with each atrocious attack in order to simultaneously wage a National Enquirer campaign aimed at discrediting not only the peaceful reform movement, but apparently every Thai man and woman's intelligence as well.

It seems to be working however based on the responses here . . .

[Tatsujin]

Is he referring to this photo...

How is that trying to frame? If they really were neutral and one of their men had been found to break their orders shouldn't they welcome the information so they could investigate?

Has it been definitively proven now that this is indeed the Officer they claim it was? Cos last I heard it was purely speculation and didn't look like the same guy as in the mug shots I saw.

[JRSoul]

Is he referring to this photo...

How is that trying to frame? If they really were neutral and one of their men had been found to break their orders shouldn't they welcome the information so they could investigate?

He is referring to the posting of that in tandem with one of a navy officer of similar appearance, despite the police having cleared him of any involvement. The aim, of course, is to smear the navy because some will remember the article as fact. Shit sticks.

[diceq]

The aim, of course, is to smear the navy because some will remember the article as fact. Shit sticks.

More conspiracy theories here. To me it seems a lot more plausible that someone put those photos together and it went viral on social media. The exact thing happened with a red shirt that was arrested recently.

[firestar]

Is he referring to this photo...

How is that trying to frame? If they really were neutral and one of their men had been found to break their orders shouldn't they welcome the information so they could investigate?

Has it been definitively proven now that this is indeed the Officer they claim it was? Cos last I heard it was purely speculation and didn't look like the same guy as in the mug shots I saw.

It is one of the photos. It happened only yesterday so it'll take some time to know what is speculation and what isn't. I do find a little ironic though that, although it goes against all the reds interests, you have no problem pointing towards them but you find CCTV footage is "purely speculation".

[JoeThePoster]

when the Army performed a parade to display its military capability, no one admired the capability

Could it be because the biggest victories of this army are against its own people?

[firestar]

He is referring to the posting of that in tandem with one of a navy officer of similar appearance, despite the police having cleared him of any involvement. The aim, of course, is to smear the navy because some will remember the article as fact. Shit sticks.

You are right shit doesn't only stick, it stinks. And the previous video of the Democrat MP aide not running away from the blast like everyone else but going back, picking things up and walking to the man with the white cap sure does stink.

[aussieinthailand]

My dear General, you should know by now the red shirts NEVER take responsibility for anything. It's always someone elses' fault, not theirs'.

Seriously??? I believe it's Suthep that has been told he must answer for and take responsibility for the 2010 deaths...

But wait there's more, 1995 land deals, and his party members to testify just why they say he is corrupt and unethical.

Edited January 20, 2014 by aussieinthailand

[firestar]

My dear General, you should know by now the red shirts NEVER take responsibility for anything. It's always someone elses' fault, not theirs'.

Seriously??? I believe it's Suthep that has been told he must answer for and take responsibility for the 2010 deaths...

But wait there's more, 1995 land deals, and his associates to testify just why they say he is corrupt and unethical.

Don't forget to google "Suthep Palm Oil" for more info on our dear yellow shirt anti-corruption champion.

[Mampara]

My dear General, you should know by now the red shirts NEVER take responsibility for anything. It's always someone elses' fault, not theirs'.

Not Too much of the “My Dear”, dear! He could get the wrong impression of u.

[DocN]

My dear General, you should know by now the red shirts NEVER take responsibility for anything. It's always someone elses' fault, not theirs'.

Yeah ...ahm...replace "red shirts" with "Thais" and you are spot on!

[ginjag]

My dear General, you should know by now the red shirts NEVER take responsibility for anything. It's always someone elses' fault, not theirs'.

Not Too much of the “My Dear”, dear! He could get the wrong impression of u.

oooohhhh get you.

[haroldc]

Perhaps the CIC would be better saying nothing as it is becoming plainer by the day where their allegiance lies?

The Thai military take an oath of allegiance to HM the King.

[wordchild]

I presume he knows or, at least, has a good idea, that the grenade thrower is not the navy seal, otherwise he is going to end up looking pretty silly, pretty quickly!

Edited January 20, 2014 by wordchild

[ManopY]

Should look at this!!!

[Lite Beer]

Army chief deplores anti-military criticism
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 20 – Thai army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha today vented his frustration with criticism against the military in its handling of the months-long political turmoil.

He admitted that he felt utterly depressed by the daily pressure and constant rebukes from society, and stood firm that the military has never been the people’s enemy.

“The military is doing its job and so are the police. Protesters act in accord with the democratic system while the government (works on) solving problems. If the media mingle all these roles, problems will never be solved. I’m saying this because I’m depressed. The military is unhappy,” said Gen Prayuth.

He said he was concerned with the escalating violence and asked the public to stop condemning the military and police, but instead cooperate with them in hunting for those responsible for the attacks against protesters.

“(There appears to be) a group of people believing in violence as the solution but I disagree. The use of weapons in the 2010 political incident (led to much wider violence) in the situation. Please avoid violence which will lead to loss and hatred,” said the army commander-in-chief.

He said many quarters in society have blamed the military but “we have our key missions including maintaining security along the border and in the southern region.”

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) is under the direct supervision of the police while the military has assigned over 40 companies to support their efforts, he said.

He instructed military personnel to be careful in providing security to people and coordinate with CAPO.

“In the 2010 political unrest, military personnel were sent out to do their jobs but they were criticised. We felt hurt and we do not want a repetition of such a phenomenon, or the country will be damaged,” he said.

“The context is different. The military can’t do much this time for it mostly involves the people. It wasn’t like this in 2010. The public should not misunderstand (and believe) that we are not performing our duty,” he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-01-20

[Nowhereman60]

It's time for a coup General, get the balls to do with necessary. The people wants their streets back.

[toybits]

Why doesn't Gen. Prayuth help CAPO to arrest Mr. Suthep? That would put an end to this mess. His reluctance to do so is what is prolonging this misadventure.

[icommunity]

Don't blame the RedShirt. The Army has been making statements that had not shown its promised neutrality. Instead of calming their fear and anxieties they escalated them.

Redshirt have been lying low at the request of their leaders but instead, they found themselves bullied and face provocation.

What, who and how and why there was a 2010, the Army Chief should know very well.

Edited January 20, 2014 by icommunity

[jackr]

Come on, general, get on your horse and run these criminals out! I have a lot more respect and faith in a disciplined person to run this country than any sort of muppet that calls themself a politician... Mark excepted.

[poisonus]

Perhaps the CIC would be better saying nothing as it is becoming plainer by the day where their allegiance lies?

Yes, and I wonder why their allegiance lies there?

Could it possibly be that the other side are nothing more than scum??

[Thailand]

Perhaps the CIC would be better saying nothing as it is becoming plainer by the day where their allegiance lies?

The Thai military take an oath of allegiance to HM the King.

Correct.