Thai military concerned with violence during Feb 2 general election

[webfact]

Thai military concerned with violence during Feb 2 general election
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Jan 28 – The Thai armed forces are increasingly uneasy with the political climate and the escalating violence in Sunday’s advance election, Royal Air Force commander Prachin Chantong said today.

He called on all factions to avoid violence on Feb 2 when the general election is scheduled.

The caretaker government and the Election Commission (EC) will meet this afternoon to discuss whether the snap poll should be delayed. The EC has said that the situation was unfavourable for people to go to the polls.

Air Chief Marshal Prachin said the air force is ready to support the EC, if asked.

The armed forces have not made any proposal to the government, as they want the problems to be solved through a democratic process, he said, adding that an election is a tool to reach the goal of democracy but it should not create rifts in the country.

If the situation gets worse to a certain level, the supreme commander will summon commanders of the armed forces for consultations, he said.

He was optimistic that the door to dialogue was not completely closed.

Referring to a request for military protection to protesters, ACM Prachin said the Royal Thai Air Force has not worked out protective measures due to its limited manpower and its requirement to act at the order of the Centre for Managing of Peace and Order.

“The armed forces have felt uneasy about the situation. The army chief has repeatedly expressed his concern,” he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-01-28

[Costas2008]

“The armed forces have felt uneasy about the situation. The army chief has repeatedly expressed his concern,” he said"

Too much Bla, Bla and no action.

What are you waiting for?

More blood to be spilled?

[love1012]

Our armed forces cannot win - they have long been the stability in Thailand. NOW they are demonized as the coup leaders - poor Thailand - i feel sorry for my country - it is like a lamb to the slaughter - held there by the red shirt thugs while the criminal Shinawatra bleeds it dry!!

[sjaak327]

The army should not be protecting people that are trying to violate basic democratic rights such as the right to vote or the right to run for office. These people should be arrested on the spot by the police, who were absent last Sunday (or so it seemed). As a result over 400.000 advanced voters were unable to exercise their constitutional right to cast their votes.

Exercising your democratic right to protest doesn't mean you are allowed to take away other People's rights and break the law.

The government should ensure that no protestors would be able to close down polling stations and that no protestors should be able to block voters from reaching these polling stations.

[JRSoul]

Is he not concerned with the violence NOW?

[Gweiloman]

Is he not concerned with the violence NOW?

The violence at the moment is fairly isolated and sporadic, probably no more than any other usual day in Thailand. It is just that it has been given a heightened profile due to the very volatile present situation.

Just out of curiosity, can elections be held under martial law?

[Scamper]

" Referring to a request for military protection to protesters, ACM Prachin said the Royal Thai Air Force has not worked out protective measures due to its limited manpower and its requirement to act at the order of the Centre for Managing of Peace and Order.The armed forces have felt uneasy about the situation. The army chief has repeatedly expressed his concern,” he said. "

That's everything in a nutshell. Chalerm has it in his power to ask - or not ask - the army for the protection of the public. However, the concluding sentence of the quote suggests that there could be a breaking point, where Prayuth may feel compelled to act to ensure the protection of the people.

[ubonjoe]

A trollish and inflammatory post has been removed.

[chainarong]

I would be surprised if the military where the only ones concerned , some others down by the river are probably now alarmed, Thailand is like a dog chasing it's tail, it will keep turning in circles, the end might be a stalemate ,but the hatred will remain, that will fester and so forth , the country will remain divided for decades , all because of one very silly, in-mature, sad specimen of a man.

[max72]

Our armed forces cannot win - they have long been the stability in Thailand. NOW they are demonized as the coup leaders - poor Thailand - i feel sorry for my country - it is like a lamb to the slaughter - held there by the red shirt thugs while the criminal Shinawatra bleeds it dry!!

Stability ? With 18 military coups and massacres after massacres of students, innocent civilians ,women and children ?

Is this the stabilty you want ? Did you mean slavery ?

Stability is in Costa Rica which ABOLISHED the army in 1948 and it has never ever had any minimal political violence, not even 1 people dead in more than 60 years of freedom and democracy.

Army=human rights violations= corruption= massacres= widespread poverty and injustice

This is the legacy of The army so far and it doesn't look it is going to change. People need books not weapons.

Edited January 28, 2014 by max72

[diehard60]

Our armed forces cannot win - they have long been the stability in Thailand. NOW they are demonized as the coup leaders - poor Thailand - i feel sorry for my country - it is like a lamb to the slaughter - held there by the red shirt thugs while the criminal Shinawatra bleeds it dry!!

You do not know too much about what is going on do you. They do not want the same thing that happened 3 years ago. Thats why they are holding off.

[jcisco]

Stability is in Costa Rica which ABOLISHED the army in 1948 and it has never ever had any minimal political violence,

Yes it is a wonderful country in which the national past times and attraction is car fumes, sunshine, prostitution and cocaine. You make the place sound like a utopia, it is more like a paradise

But I understand the frame in which you made your post, yes it is an interesting example of how other countries can exist.

[chainarong]

max72, on 28 Jan 2014 - 17:16, said:

love1012, on 28 Jan 2014 - 16:02, said:

Our armed forces cannot win - they have long been the stability in Thailand. NOW they are demonized as the coup leaders - poor Thailand - i feel sorry for my country - it is like a lamb to the slaughter - held there by the red shirt thugs while the criminal Shinawatra bleeds it dry!!

Stability ? With 18 military coups and massacres after massacres of students, innocent civilians ,women and children ?

Is this the stabilty you want ? Did you mean slavery ?

Stability is in Costa Rica which ABOLISHED the army in 1948 and it has never ever had any minimal political violence, not even 1 people dead in more than 60 years of freedom and democracy.

Army=human rights violations= corruption= massacres= widespread poverty and injustice

This is the legacy of The army so far and it doesn't look it is going to change. People need books not weapons.

You tell em Maxy , very true in what U say, that's good stuff you wrote.

[pipkins]

Our armed forces cannot win - they have long been the stability in Thailand. NOW they are demonized as the coup leaders - poor Thailand - i feel sorry for my country - it is like a lamb to the slaughter - held there by the red shirt thugs while the criminal Shinawatra bleeds it dry!!

Stability ? With 18 military coups and massacres after massacres of students, innocent civilians ,women and children ?

Is this the stabilty you want ? Did you mean slavery ?

Stability is in Costa Rica which ABOLISHED the army in 1948 and it has never ever had any minimal political violence, not even 1 people dead in more than 60 years of freedom and democracy.

Army=human rights violations= corruption= massacres= widespread poverty and injustice

This is the legacy of The army so far and it doesn't look it is going to change. People need books not weapons.

This is indeed how more than half of Thailand and most of the free governments and media of the world see the Thai Army.

Ridiculous amount of Generals doing what? Mafia enforcers, the Rohinga and sea gypsies in the south. Protecting the fishing mafia as they enslave burmese, arranging hits, interfeffing in politics.

And 18 Coups for the benefit of the same clique to the detriment of the nation and its population.

This 19th Coup is proving so hard for them to get started.... 3 months in boys and you bankrupted the country, lost the high season, and today the japanese chamber of trade said outright "if the political situation is not resolved in 6 months were are rethinking our entire investment strategy"

Sanctions will follow this time and the real Human Rights watch have outright condemed the Thai institutions again. http://www.hrw.org/node/122618

Who, is going to rule what in Sutheps dream new state?

Anything without an election here and they are toast. They can't control half of their forces, let alone the whole country.

[Basil B]

No need to worry about elections on Feb 2, there will not be any.

[gemini81]

Concern is certainly hired red thugs come in to stir up trouble with violence, bait the opposition, then play martyr (like time & again- worked abroad too with Al Quada, up until Syria when the public awoke). That was the ploy in 2010- hope it doesn't replay, but we already see murders occurring from this set of violent communists. Sooner or later, truth comes out (except for our usual bar fly posters who get their input while intoxicated playing connect four at some hole in the wall pubs).

"violent communists"

Are you sure you are in Thailand ?

"except for our usual bar fly posters who get their input while intoxicated playing connect four at some hole in the wall pubs"

Is this is a reference to those posters whose support for Suthep and hatred for the PM is clearly evident ??

It is if you're pissed up and enjoying your first day in Thailand listening to the ranting and raving of night workers maybe.

[BlueNoseCodger]

Choose sides Royal Air Force commander Prachin Chantong, are you with

a. the people

or

b. the Suthep

Let me make the case for a)

1. It's your job.

2. the Suthep doesn't have the numbers backing him, so your troops don't support him either.

3. Bangkok is already angry at the blocking of elections, you would have to hold Bangkok and most of Thailand with an army you are not sure about.

4. a. has international support, b. does not. Consider what that means if it all goes pear-shaped.

5. Abhisit has already moderated his position, voting, ready to run presumably for the by-elections in the South. Lots of yellows jumped from Sutheps sinking ship to the calm waters of democracy.

If there is no middle ground here, the obvious solution is to go arrest Suthep and the ring leaders and put an end to this sorry mess. Elections go ahead, Abhisit & co try for the by-elections, and reform their party into something more electable.

Edited January 28, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[Lingba]

Thai military concerned with violence during Feb 2 general electionThai military concerned with violence during Feb 2 general election

HA!..they should be!

[falangadang]

No need to worry about elections on Feb 2, there will not be any.

... and even if they are, my wife will be abstaining as I'm not willing to send her into the firing line on D-day!

[rickirs]

The army should not be protecting people that are trying to violate basic democratic rights such as the right to vote or the right to run for office. These people should be arrested on the spot by the police, who were absent last Sunday (or so it seemed). As a result over 400.000 advanced voters were unable to exercise their constitutional right to cast their votes.

Exercising your democratic right to protest doesn't mean you are allowed to take away other People's rights and break the law.

The government should ensure that no protestors would be able to close down polling stations and that no protestors should be able to block voters from reaching these polling stations.

How about the EC who is supposedly responsible for the polling places? But they seem to follow the police by looking the other way and "suggesting" the Government DO SOMETHING.

[philw]

Concern is certainly hired red thugs come in to stir up trouble with violence, bait the opposition, then play martyr (like time & again- worked abroad too with Al Quada, up until Syria when the public awoke). That was the ploy in 2010- hope it doesn't replay, but we already see murders occurring from this set of violent communists. Sooner or later, truth comes out (except for our usual bar fly posters who get their input while intoxicated playing connect four at some hole in the wall pubs).

"violent communists"

Are you sure you are in Thailand ?

"except for our usual bar fly posters who get their input while intoxicated playing connect four at some hole in the wall pubs"

Is this is a reference to those posters whose support for Suthep and hatred for the PM is clearly evident ??

It is if you're pissed up and enjoying your first day in Thailand listening to the ranting and raving of night workers maybe.

How sweet of you....

With the night workers I know, it more groaning than ranting.

Edited January 28, 2014 by philw

[Gweiloman]

Concern is certainly hired red thugs come in to stir up trouble with violence, bait the opposition, then play martyr (like time & again- worked abroad too with Al Quada, up until Syria when the public awoke). That was the ploy in 2010- hope it doesn't replay, but we already see murders occurring from this set of violent communists. Sooner or later, truth comes out (except for our usual bar fly posters who get their input while intoxicated playing connect four at some hole in the wall pubs).

"violent communists"

Are you sure you are in Thailand ?

"except for our usual bar fly posters who get their input while intoxicated playing connect four at some hole in the wall pubs"

Is this is a reference to those posters whose support for Suthep and hatred for the PM is clearly evident ??

It is if you're pissed up and enjoying your first day in Thailand listening to the ranting and raving of night workers maybe.

How sweet of you....

With the night workers I know, it more groaning than ranting.

Don't feed the (juvenile) troll ......

[pipkins]

Very interesting develpment in the South today.

Police did a great job acting on information from Journalists. Be interesting to know who was behind it as we are not used to crime and corruption in the south...

Reuters running it, at it was their guy who upset the Navy late last year!!!!!

Maybe the police had a free hand now most of the mobs have moved to Bangkok. We'll see early days. More to this than meets the eye and Army should have known about smuggling of 500 people on regular basis... shouldn't they?

http://in.mobile.reuters.com/article/idINDEEA0Q09O20140127?irpc=932&utm_content=bufferd1bc7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Of most interest is that police arrested 9 last year inc 3 Government officials.. but no prosecutions? Courts not interested in this, or looking after their own.

Reuters are not leaving this alone and the Police have really done well here..... Priase where it is due

Edited January 28, 2014 by pipkins

[Ulic]

Words, words, words. Lots of talk that sounds like positioning for finger pointing and face saving after the sh_t hits the fan.

[Toscano]

My guess is that the military are in a delicate situation , where they know the VIPs who are backing Sutheps insurrection .

In another country they should be supporting the government and putting down an insurrection .

In Thailand , when you know who is behind it , your hands are tied , just wait and see hoping all will turn out for the best .

[pipkins]

My guess is that the military are in a delicate situation , where they know the VIPs who are backing Sutheps insurrection .

In another country they should be supporting the government and putting down an insurrection .

In Thailand , when you know who is behind it , your hands are tied , just wait and see hoping all will turn out for the best .

Bigger people than those behind Suthep have been removed from the scene in many countries around the world.

They have small powerful cliques, but make many enemies retaining their hold on power. They would do well to realise they are not invincible and that it is not 1950's anymore.

Eastern Europe got rid of some very big Communist backers.

Khmer Rouge killed more than half the population of the country, had big backing and still ended up toast. Took a while but they fell.

Anybody saying that the Thai Army could withstand a put down a full scale insurrection in Thailand? Dream on

2010, Abhisit promised elections and by the time the Army came in to kill, the numbers had dwindled. Lot of the reds had believed Abhisit and gone home. To be fair, he did then hold the election under his rules and the CC rules and lost badly. As he will do all his life unless he reforms the party.

Europe got rid of Hitler, Musollini and Hirotio all at the same time. They had much larger support bases than Suthep has, endless money and access to millions of slaves to work for their war machines.

Regimes all over Africa and Central america got rid of dictators, serial murderers and oppressors. Suthep goes that route... Thailand will get rid of him. The real mass of the people will see to that.

[sjaak327]

The army should not be protecting people that are trying to violate basic democratic rights such as the right to vote or the right to run for office. These people should be arrested on the spot by the police, who were absent last Sunday (or so it seemed). As a result over 400.000 advanced voters were unable to exercise their constitutional right to cast their votes.

Exercising your democratic right to protest doesn't mean you are allowed to take away other People's rights and break the law.

The government should ensure that no protestors would be able to close down polling stations and that no protestors should be able to block voters from reaching these polling stations.

How about the EC who is supposedly responsible for the polling places? But they seem to follow the police by looking the other way and "suggesting" the Government DO SOMETHING.

Yep, the EC and the police both are not performing their duties. Not sure why, unless of course the EC has some hidden motive.

[JohnP1752]

If the military is so concerned about violence on Feb 2, then instead of waiting to be asked to help by the EC, then they should be proactive and initiate the talks and assist with the SOE as the Government has always asked. However they won't do that because they are part of the problem, along with the NACC, the CC and the EC. All of them are selected officials under the dictatorship that is trying to reclaim power through oppression, intimidation and violence. The revolution will ultimately come from those who want their right to vote not the fascist demonstrators.

Edited January 29, 2014 by JohnP1752

[paymaster]

I would be surprised if the military where the only ones concerned , some others down by the river are probably now alarmed, Thailand is like a dog chasing it's tail, it will keep turning in circles, the end might be a stalemate ,but the hatred will remain, that will fester and so forth , the country will remain divided for decades , all because of one very silly, in-mature, sad specimen of a man.

He may be many things but I don't think you should refer to Khun Thaksin as silly and immature.

[samuidave]

The army should not be protecting people that are trying to violate basic democratic rights such as the right to vote or the right to run for office. These people should be arrested on the spot by the police, who were absent last Sunday (or so it seemed). As a result over 400.000 advanced voters were unable to exercise their constitutional right to cast their votes.

Exercising your democratic right to protest doesn't mean you are allowed to take away other People's rights and break the law.

The government should ensure that no protestors would be able to close down polling stations and that no protestors should be able to block voters from reaching these polling stations.

We'll Bomb people, shoot people, beat people, rob people and I gnore the courts. But don't you dare get in our way of voting. Damn it! living ain't a right, it's a privilege. Voting is a right.

Asshat!