Army chief warns redshirt hardcore leaders of tough retaliation if force is used

[webfact]

Army chief warns of tough retaliation if force is used



BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha strongly blasted at redshirt hardcore leaders who threatened to use force against anti-government protesters, harass independent organizations, inciting violence, and mobilizing armed fighters to fight the Army.

In reply to question of some red-shirt hardliners now are contemplating of setting armed group to fight the Army, to plunder banks, to increase violent means to achieve their secession goal, the army chief he would never yield to any group which threatened to split the country and which blatantly breach the laws.’

He said that if these people threatened to use force, then the Army would certainly retaliate them by force.

He made clear that the Army did not challenge them to a fight, but warned that if they did, they too would be dealt with by force.

When asked about last week’s appointment of hardliner Jatuporn Prompan to a new leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), and whether it was possible for him to talk to the new UDD leader, the stern-face Gen Prayuth said these people had no honor to speak to.

He said “I would like to ask if these people can be accepted as our leaders. A leader must have honor that is not self-imposed but given by others.”

He said if these people continue to use evil means and speak intolerable, rudely, “shall we still regard such people important and honor them as leaders.”

The army chief said that he did not see any importance in these people.

But he warned “I’m not interested as to whether they have strategies or not it is a question of whether someone breaches the law. I wonder how many cases of the UDD leader had in court now.”

He said the Army would prosecute those found to instigate hatred, violence, and defiance against authorities.

If anyone uses force against soldiers, I will use force with them too,” he declared.

He also warned those hardcore redshirts threatening to fight the Army with force and providing arm training to fight, to plunder banks and to harass independent organizations that they would be dealt decisively by force once they started to do what they threatened.

Pathumthani red-shirt hardcore leader Kotee or Wuthipong Kochathammakun declared on the red-shirt stage that he was recruiting an armed group to start the battle once what he called the “illegal independent organization” started a conspiracy to bring down the Yingluck government.

At the Lumphini protest stage Monday night, Suthep Thaugsuban also challenged Jatuporn and Kotee to come out in arms to battle anti-government protesters to protect the Yingluck government.

He said if they really come out with guns, he would not fight back but would lead all protesters back home and stay inside homes.

He said if the redshirts come out with guns, then they would see to it that soldiers would be ready to use force as they could no longer put up with them any longer for the abuses and rude scolds they hit on their army boss.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/army-chief-warns-of-tough-retaliation-if-force-is-used/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-18

[LevelHead]

Now if only they would have used tough retaliation against the Southerners........ how many years has the South been in turmoil, wanting to breakaway from Thailand - wonder why they only start talking tough when it comes from Northerners.....?

[pkspeaker]

The police should take the lead here, not the Army, the Army continues to align itself with the PAD/PDRC which creates even more division.

[cornishcarlos]

Think I should have applied for a longer visit visa to the U.K for my wife !!!

Time to go check out an English summer

[Bkungbank]

I like you very much , dare to speak out. Teeth to teeth and noting to lose as Sept already retired. Great hero!

[than]

The police should take the lead here, not the Army, the Army continues to align itself with the PAD/PDRC which creates even more division.

UDD monkey creat division, Army is just protect the Country against this mafia gang......

[LevelHead]

The police should take the lead here, not the Army, the Army continues to align itself with the PAD/PDRC which creates even more division.

UDD monkey creat division, Army is just protect the Country against this mafia gang......

Or does the army protest the mafia gang against the rest of the country............... ?

In my opinion of course.........

[pmugghc]

The police should take the lead here, not the Army, the Army continues to align itself with the PAD/PDRC which creates even more division.

You're right, the police should! Only problem is they are even more biased towards UDD/PTP.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[HonestQuietBob]

There's a lot of personal enmity between Prayuth and Jutaporn.

Let's hope they can stick to the childish name calling and taunting and no innocents end up dead.

The army have never been so much on the back foot in Thailand as it is nowadays.

It looks like a real changing of the guard is occurring in this nation.

Civilian rule of the military appears to be on the way - about time Thailand caught up with the rest of the modern world.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

The police should take the lead here, not the Army, the Army continues to align itself with the PAD/PDRC which creates even more division.

That would be a lead to nowhere.

[Costas2008]

To the UDD or red foreign supporters.

You know very well who Jatuporn is and what he represents.

Please, stop writing nonsense postings, supporting him, even if you like Yingluck and her brother.

This man will put Thailand into a bloodbath.

I understand Sutherp disturbed you from your cosy lives.

This man will oblige you to pack and go back to were you came from.

[coma]

Now if only they would have used tough retaliation against the Southerners........ how many years has the South been in turmoil, wanting to breakaway from Thailand - wonder why they only start talking tough when it comes from Northerners.....?

They tried that in 2004 and largely failed. Since the assault on the mosque, things in the south have gone from bad to worse.

Two years after the Thai army raid on Krue Se mosque in Pattani, which left 32 insurgents and three Thai security officers dead, the government has yet to initiate criminal investigations into the events

http://www.hrw.org/news/2006/04/27/thailand-investigate-krue-se-mosque-raid

[pkspeaker]

The UDD represents democracy, one vote-one person, if they use violence-it is to that end. the PAD/PDRC on the other hand-which is what the military is aligning itself with-are fascists, they want to end democracy in this country and have it ruled by an elitist dictatorship, the fascists are trying to create divisions.

[PepperMe]

Now if only they would have used tough retaliation against the Southerners........ how many years has the South been in turmoil, wanting to breakaway from Thailand - wonder why they only start talking tough when it comes from Northerners.....?

You know nothing........ NOTHING!!!!!

[CNXBKKMAN]

Now if only they would have used tough retaliation against the Southerners........ how many years has the South been in turmoil, wanting to breakaway from Thailand - wonder why they only start talking tough when it comes from Northerners.....?

Years ago when Thaksin was first in charge he decided to get tough with southern insurgents which at the time was a much smaller problem. The result was the problem became 10 times bigger and far worse than what it was. So getting tough with the southerns as you suggest has already been tried. It's got Thailand to the situation we have today.

[pkspeaker]

I think the police are just 'biased' to the elected government, the legitimate government.

The police should take the lead here, not the Army, the Army continues to align itself with the PAD/PDRC which creates even more division.

You're right, the police should! Only problem is they are even more biased towards UDD/PTP.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[northernjohn]

Now if only they would have used tough retaliation against the Southerners........ how many years has the South been in turmoil, wanting to breakaway from Thailand - wonder why they only start talking tough when it comes from Northerners.....?

Well that for sure is an unleveled headed statement.

The Army is using force against the terrorists when ever they get the chance.

The main problem in the South is that the government doesn't give a darn about them.

They figure the Army will take care of it for them.

How much of their proposed 2.2 trillion baht infrastructure was slated for the southern 3 provinces?

[Scamper]

Prayuth speaks the truth. He is right about Jatuporn. He is right about the UDD. Ko Tee has called for secession, for an armed revolt, for plundering the banks, for going after the independent agencies. With a platform like that, how can Prayuth possibly not react ? Suthep is right to say that the PDRC would retreat if the UDD initiated such madness. The UDD want a fight, while the PDRC are prepared to discuss issues. Guns and bombs will never be a match for whistles. And for those that think that Thaksin's police would do anything - anything - just open your eyes and see what they're doing now - or more to the point, not doing. Not only have they shown their true colours time and time again in standing back while grenade attacks were perpetrated on innocent Thai citizens, but they have shown themselves incapable of even collecting traffic tickets. And to Chalerm's police do we entrust the protection of the constitution ? If Suthep had stood up and called for secession, if he had called for the raiding and plundering of the banks, if he called for going after the independent agencies, Prayuth would have had every right to go after him. But it just so happens, that only one party has advocated these utterly inexcusable acts. Only one. And it is straining credibility to suggest that Prayuth's comments are anything but appropriate and timely. He will protect the constitution and the courts. That is his duty. And it's time that Citizen Yingluck did her duty and stood before a microphone and told Ko Tee and Jatuporn in no uncertain terms that these calls are a threat to the rule of law. But for those who still incredulously defend those who call for secession, call for the plundering of national banks, and going after the judicial system - then there's really no hope for you.

[MaxLee]

The police should take the lead here, not the Army, the Army continues to align itself with the PAD/PDRC which creates even more division.

They're too busy collecting tea money in the name of Thaksinocracy,...

Thaksin a former policeman, (according to some o our members) <- need I say more???

[bigbamboo]

No surprise here.... just a friendly warning. Jatuporn was chosen to replace Thida who was considered too soft and he has already been issuing threats.

The army's leaning towards the Democrats balances the police's bias towards the Thaksinistas. At least that keeps a balance that prevents the two side from destroying the country completely.

[PepperMe]

To the UDD or red foreign supporters.

You know very well who Jatuporn is and what he represents.

Please, stop writing nonsense postings, supporting him, even if you like Yingluck and her brother.

This man will put Thailand into a bloodbath.

I understand Sutherp disturbed you from your cosy lives.

This man will oblige you to pack and go back to were you came from.

+1

If Jatuporn gets his way this place will deffo be in civil war, and I can bet you a pound to a penny, when it happens, it will be an idiot from the UDD who will stand up first and blame the foreigners and send the red army to hunt them down and destroy them and remove their properties.

I hope the UDD supporting farang are the first to be put to their end, kicking and screaming 'but I'm on your side, I'm on your side'...

You just carry on criticizing the army and supporting the likes of Ko Tee.... I guarantee if you get to see the big red uprising that you are waiting for.... Don't be surprised when you are running for your life from these reds and straight to the army for protection.

[northernjohn]

The police should take the lead here, not the Army, the Army continues to align itself with the PAD/PDRC which creates even more division.

It aligns it self with no side it just says if either side take to violence it will step in. so far the only action taken by the police in the limited violence has been zip. the police do not align them selves with the PTP red shirts they are a part of them. They all get their pay checks from the same source and have nothing to gain by protecting the anti government protestors. But plenty to loose if the Paymaster is thrown out of office.

[sweatalot]

The police should take the lead here, not the Army, the Army continues to align itself with the PAD/PDRC which creates even more division.

yes it would be the job of the police.

And in every democratic country they would have done it, even long ago

The military would not have been needed in 2010. Everything would have ended peacefully with the redshirts in jail and the country democratic.

But

Obviously they continue to align themselves with the red shirt / ptp, which creates even more division

So I am happy that at least the army takes responsibility

Edited March 18, 2014 by sweatalot

[Roadman]

Excellent response from the General to the UDD rabble. Difference this time to 2010 is Jatuporn and his UDD scum have been given warning of where they stand prior to any of their treasonous attacks on Thailand, its people and Army. Excellent timing from the Army, so no excuses for any UDD casualties if they start their garbage again.

[northernjohn]

There's a lot of personal enmity between Prayuth and Jutaporn.

Let's hope they can stick to the childish name calling and taunting and no innocents end up dead.

The army have never been so much on the back foot in Thailand as it is nowadays.

It looks like a real changing of the guard is occurring in this nation.

Civilian rule of the military appears to be on the way - about time Thailand caught up with the rest of the modern world.

You are rite. How ever as long as you have a Government that is ruled by one man only you have what is known as a dictatorship and it is good the Army is not under his thumb. Bad enough the police are.

Edit

It just crossed my mind that 61 posts supporting losers is not being quiet.

Edited March 18, 2014 by northernjohn

[aaacorp]

There's a lot of personal enmity between Prayuth and Jutaporn.

Let's hope they can stick to the childish name calling and taunting and no innocents end up dead.

The army have never been so much on the back foot in Thailand as it is nowadays.

It looks like a real changing of the guard is occurring in this nation.

Civilian rule of the military appears to be on the way - about time Thailand caught up with the rest of the modern world.

You are rite. How ever as long as you have a Government that is ruled by one man only you have what is known as a dictatorship and it is good the Army is not under his thumb. Bad enough the police are.

"One moron to rule them all"...this statement is good for any color

[Artisi]

The UDD represents democracy, one vote-one person, if they use violence-it is to that end. the PAD/PDRC on the other hand-which is what the military is aligning itself with-are fascists, they want to end democracy in this country and have it ruled by an elitist dictatorship, the fascists are trying to create divisions.

What planet do you live on, planet Thaksin.

UDD represents democracy - of course you jest, and Oh! we can use violence to get our way like we have always done - at the directions of a fugitive criminal.

[pkspeaker]

There shouldn't be an over-reaction to the UDD, the way i see it is the udd is not creating terrorism now, but if the pad/pdrc succeed in replacing elected govts with appointed govts..thats what we had with abhisit-an appointed govt, thats when there was a revolt, some of it was an armed revolt that lead to the 2010 violence, but as long as an elected govt stays in place there is no terrorism or revolt from the red side..

Edited March 18, 2014 by pkspeaker

[chainarong]

The position CIC General Prayuth adopts is one of a neutral stance, he will say the same for the Democrats or anybody else who wants to speak of civil disobedience attacking the military, raiding banks , government institutions, forming their own military , etc , the principal part of this was the type of people who are regarded as leaders, the honour and high regard they create, General Prayuth passed these hardcore so called leaders off as nobody's, it is also the duty of the military to protect the people of Thailand , it is the police who supposedly are their too up hold the law , two vastly different subjects Gentlemen.

[binjalin]

The position CIC General Prayuth adopts is one of a neutral stance, he will say the same for the Democrats or anybody else who wants to speak of civil disobedience attacking the military, raiding banks , government institutions, forming their own military , etc , the principal part of this was the type of people who are regarded as leaders, the honour and high regard they create, General Prayuth passed these hardcore so called leaders off as nobody's, it is also the duty of the military to protect the people of Thailand , it is the police who supposedly are their too up hold the law , two vastly different subjects Gentlemen.

neutral?