Thai Army refuses govts request for troops to protect PM Yingluck

[webfact]

Army Refuses Govt's Request For Troops

By Khaosod English


Troops from the Royal Thai Air Force arriving to protect the temporary office of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, 4 February 2014

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army has refused to comply with the government for deployment of troops to protect Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has made the request after anti-government protesters led by the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) targeted a Ministry of Defence building where Ms. Yingluck held meeting with her Cabinet members.

But Lt.Col. Winthai Suvaree, deputy spokesman of the army, said today that Mr. Surapong has to submit the request via an appropriate channel, which is the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.

After the request is approved, the army divisions would be informed how many troops are needed, and what their missions will be, in order to arrange a suitable deployment for the operation to safeguard the Prime Minister, said Lt.Col. Winthai Suvaree.

"No one should expect the army to suddenly send troops without proper request, because that′s against the procedure," Lt.Col. Winthai explained, adding that the army is still waiting for "more clarity" from Mr. Surapong in his requests.

"As far as I know, Mr. Surapong only talked via the media," Lt.Col. Winthai said in a press conference, "There has been no written document requesting [the troops] so far".

His remark came amid speculation that the Royal Thai Army might be distancing itself from Ms. Yingluck′s embattled government. The government was forced to request presence of troops from a nearby Royal Thai Air Force base to protect the Prime Minister yesterday.

The army spokesman also asked the police to clarify their claim that three military officers were involved in the assassination attempt on Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, a local Redshirt leader in Udon Thani province.

"It lacks clarity," Lt.Col. Winthai complained, "If the army is involved, the police should back their claim with evidence," such as names, divisions, and their actual offences. Furthermore, Lt.Col. Winthai said, the suspects in question could be retired officers who are no longer associated with the military.

"That is just talking without evidence," Lt.Col. Winthai said.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1UVTVOamt3T1E9PQ==

-- Khaosod English 2014-02-05

[JesseFrank]

The positive point of the response is that she still can get unnoticed on the plane to Dubai.

[davehowden]

Motley looking crew, obviously chuffed to be looking after the Defense Minister.

[Artisi]

And where is the really useful police force when needed.

Seems like the PM is out of favour everywhere.

[TVGerry]

Can't trust the police to protect you, Poo? Sucks to be you!

[LomSak27]

Might be the first concrete clue toward that C word no one wants to state

Better go out and buy a couple cases and some hard stuff, just stock up in case

yeeeesh

[HooHaa]

yes indeed, god forbid the political situation should change without you rolling around pissed behind the computer.

[londonthai]

government can rely on police, just it's not very convenient now to use lethal force against armed mob. The mob hates cops, and it's reciprocated, so it could be a shooting spree.

that's why army was asked, which is seen neutral.

now air force is involved, which means a drift within the army and a deeper devision of the unmentionable

Edited February 5, 2014 by londonthai

[moonao]

This army is useless. Started the coup in 2006 that led to this mess, now playing mr innocent in the corner, sometimes coming out with dodgy excuses and lame statements that nobody believes.

[oldthaihand99]

Why not ask the police (red shirts)?

Do you really want your enemies (yellow military) "protecting" you?

Or is this request just to show the international community on what side the army lies? Let the positional chess game continue.

Edited February 5, 2014 by oldthaihand99

[transam]

Government controls nothing, only foreigners.

[bigbamboo]

Surely this is the role of the police not the army?

You'd think with so many close aides being connected to the police (Thaksin, Chalerm, Podge etc.) she'd be better looked after by them anyway.

Edited February 5, 2014 by bigbamboo

[ginjag]

This army is useless. Started the coup in 2006 that led to this mess, now playing mr innocent in the corner, sometimes coming out with dodgy excuses and lame statements that nobody believes.

Learnt it from the super government-PTP.

[Scamper]

Khaosod's provocative and news-catching headline would indeed be news, but the story merely illustrates a break in deployment protocol.

" As far as I know, Mr. Surapong only talked via the media," Lt.Col. Winthai said in a press conference, "There has been no written document requesting [the troops] so far. "

This is Pheu Thai's habit. Whether it is the NACC, the EC, or the army - they simply talk over the heads of everyone through the media. This method, however, speaks volumes when it comes to the fact that Pheu Thai is essentially uncomfortable with talking with anyone other than themselves.

" It lacks clarity," Lt.Col. Winthai complained, "If the army is involved, the police should back their claim with evidence," such as names, divisions, and their actual offences. Furthermore, Lt.Col. Winthai said, the suspects in question could be retired officers who are no longer associated with the military. "That is just talking without evidence," Lt.Col. Winthai said. "

That's a pretty direct way of saying the police have no idea what they're doing, are not interested in the petty conventions of collecting evidence, and are instead interested in preceding every investigation with the conclusions of it that fit their narrative. The tension between the army and the police - or indeed between the army and the administration - could not be more strained.

Edited February 5, 2014 by Scamper

[dru2]

government can rely on police, just it's not very convenient now to use lethal force against armed mob. The mob hates cops, and it's reciprocated, so it could be a shooting spree.

that's why army was asked, which is seen neutral.

now air force is involved, which means a drift within the army and a deeper devision of the unmentionable

It means nothing of the sort, oh ill-informed / uninformed one.

[thesetat2013]

The army leader has a better head on his shoulders than the rest of the leaders in this country. Maybe he should run for PM. At least he follows proceedures.

He is not under the caretaker gov orders anyway. Only the king can order him what to do.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[djjamie]

Maybe the PTP should get the EC to look after caretaker PM?

The PTP said the EC are apparently responsible for maintaining peace and order in upcoming elections as opposed to Chalerm's Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order.

How is that. The caretaker PM is also the rice scheme chairman and is also the Minister of Defense.

She can't do the PM's job. Can't chair a single rice meeting and allows corruption to flourish and is not capable of leading the defense ministry. She is pretty though.

Her supporters are right. She is not a puppet. Puppets would do a much better job than her.

[JesseFrank]

Since Yingluck is minister of defense, isn't the thread title a bit misleading and shouldn't it read as :

Thai army refuses request to protect their boss .

No, that would be the biggest face loss in Thai history I guess

[The Dancer]

The PDRC is going to try everything but the legitimate democratic way because then they get their head handed to them. This time the Army doesn't seem anxious to install the clown from the south as PM. The kangaroos in the court system are the last hope but they need to know from the Army that it's alright to piss on the people's will.

Lord, what a mess.

Edited February 5, 2014 by The Dancer

[bigbamboo]

The PDRC is going to try everything but the legitimate democratic way because then they get their head handed to them. This time the Army doesn't seem anxious to install the clown from the south as PM. The kangaroos in the court system are the last hope but they need to know from the Army that it's alright to piss on the people's will.

Lord, what a mess.

Makes you yearn for an absolute monarchy doesn't it.

[Hornell]

This is a highly inaccurate and mischievous pice of reporting. The fact is that the request was made for EXTRA protection. The Army Commander replied that she already had a great deal of specialised protection and he couldn't understand the rationale behind the request for more. His spokesman later said that in any case, such a request had to go through channels ....etc. But the way this piece is written it makes it seem as though the Army is refusing to agree to reasonable government request which is not so.

[MunterHunter]

This is a highly inaccurate and mischievous pice of reporting. The fact is that the request was made for EXTRA protection. The Army Commander replied that she already had a great deal of specialised protection and he couldn't understand the rationale behind the request for more. His spokesman later said that in any case, such a request had to go through channels ....etc. But the way this piece is written it makes it seem as though the Army is refusing to agree to reasonable government request which is not so.

I guess it makes it easier for them when they do finally throw a coup... already have her surrounded and under arrest

Which company is protecting her i wonder?

[bkksteviejai]

A non-story. Not their job to do it.

[Thai at Heart]

Since Yingluck is minister of defense, isn't the thread title a bit misleading and shouldn't it read as :

Thai army refuses request to protect their boss .

No, that would be the biggest face loss in Thai history I guess

Jockeys and owners, jockeys and owners.....

[tezzainoz]

Why not ask the police (red shirts)?

Do you really want your enemies (yellow military) "protecting" you?

Or is this request just to show the international community on what side the army lies? Let the positional chess game continue.

[cdmtdm]

speaking of the army , any stats on how big the force is ? i mean fulltime, not these kids that go on a holiday camp for two years ....63 million people i imagine it must be fairly large ....

[backtonormal]

Not even the army will comply with you, you old witch!! ha ha ha

Saw an Aljazeera translation of Sutheps brother in arms..Abhisit calling the Prime Minister a "dumb cookie" on the PDRC Stage (the movement he has no links with..his quote not mine). Is there any wonder this clown can not create policies or strategy to remove this government. As for your comment it will never be seen as one of the great Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill retorts of this century.. For christ sake grow up or shut up if you have nothing to add to a serious debate.

[ratcatcher]

This is a highly inaccurate and mischievous pice of reporting. The fact is that the request was made for EXTRA protection. The Army Commander replied that she already had a great deal of specialised protection and he couldn't understand the rationale behind the request for more. His spokesman later said that in any case, such a request had to go through channels ....etc. But the way this piece is written it makes it seem as though the Army is refusing to agree to reasonable government request which is not so.

I guess it makes it easier for them when they do finally throw a coup... already have her surrounded and under arrest

Which company is protecting her i wonder?

Which company is protecting her i wonder?

Johnson & Johnson

[MunterHunter]

Pot... Kettle... Black...

[marcusd]

This army is useless. Started the coup in 2006 that led to this mess, now playing mr innocent in the corner, sometimes coming out with dodgy excuses and lame statements that nobody believes.

what a stupid comment.

The mess In 2006 was started by corrupt officials.

The army has been cautiously walking between both sides trying to make them COUP. Why would get want to when no matter which mob of crooks gets in nothing will change.

It seems to me ge army will only come in if forced and that would happen in any country given the dame circumstances.

So far army stands back and PTP and PCAD do nothing but make assertions

Marcusd. Via tapatalk