Military to maintain bunkers in Bangkok despite lifting of emergency

[webfact]

POLITICS
Military to maintain bunkers despite lifting of emergency
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE MILITARY will maintain its force and 176 street bunkers across Bangkok, even though the government has lifted the emergency decree.

A military source said the reason the government scrapped the state of emergency was not only because the Civil Court had put restrictions on its clamping down on anti-government protesters, rendering the emergency decree meaningless. Another reason was that "Thaksin supporters" wanted to gauge the military's power over maintaining its 176 bunkers on Bangkok's streets.

After lifting the state of emergency, the government has been pressuring the military to remove the bunkers, citing adverse effects on business and foreign investors' confidence.

Government strategists want to close in on the People's Democratic Reform Committee protesters in April by choosing to be on the offensive and not defensive. As a result they have replaced Thida Thavonseth with Jatuporn Promphan as chairman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). They are also recruiting a new PM should caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra be suspended from duty if independent agencies file indictments against her.

The government sees the military bunkers as "obstacles" to reducing the number of PDRC protesters who have staged a sit-in anti-government protest already five months long.

"The government is doing everything it can to hold on to power. It lifted the state of emergency only to test the military's strength, especially that of Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. The government's supporters are not very happy with the presence of bunkers in the capital," the source said.

The military will not remove the bunkers just yet because the situation is still at a turning point and assailants continue to launch their attacks almost on a daily basis. The violence takes place even with a heavy military presence. "If we withdraw our force, how is the government going to deal with the violence? The military is concerned about the safety of independent agencies and courts, which have faced daily intimidation," the source said.

Deputy Army spokesman Col Winthai Suvari said soldiers are still currently stationed at the checkpoints as it was the duty of the military and soldiers to ensure safety for the people.

Moreover, any change to those measures would be considered according to the situation.

So far, the military bunkers have been adapted to harmonise with the locations. Some had been moved for the same reason, he said.

Deputy police spokesman Col Wichayakorn Nichaboworn said police officers had been told to adapt their strategies and operational plans to suit the situation. They were also ordered to carefully follow up and expedite related cases of law violation.

Moreover, police officers had been told to closely keep an eye on the movement of groups of people in the provinces, to prevent situation instigation. At the same time, investigators were deployed to get information from the security guards for each group of protesters, she said.


-- The Nation 2014-03-20

[PaullyW]

So basically, the only reason they are getting rid of the SOE is to "lure" tourists back under a false pretense of safety when in fact grenades and shootings are still regularly going on.

Nice, Thailand

Money over morality

[Pikeybkk]

well if the emergency decree is lifted, is it not illegal for the army to then maintain a presence on the streets in what should be civil jurisdiction?

[NongKhaiKid]

well if the emergency decree is lifted, is it not illegal for the army to then maintain a presence on the streets in what should be civil jurisdiction?

The legality is an interesting point.

It doesn't always work to compare east with west but in most western countries the military only act domestically in a state of emergency and only in support of the civil powers. The only time they run the show is if martial law is declared.

In Thailand, and other Asian countries, the military operate virtually as they see fit and get involved domestically without being asked to do so.

IMO it's an unsatisfactory not to say dangerous situation but Asian governments like to keep the military onside and don't control them as they should.

[StealthEnergiser]

This is the least the army can do to protect the protesters and courts etc but I bet anything they have tanks ready to roll and it looks obvious that the defence minister is being ignored as she should.

Her days are numbered , Thaksin is still trying every trick in the book with his boof headed foreign lawyer helping him but they are not succeeding .

The army is fully aware of the situation they know that the police are totally useless and puppet controlled.

The courts also will no longer rule in the governments favour as they are protecting the country for the better.

[smedly]

I think if you did a survey of all foreigners as to whether they want to RTA to remain in place offering safety and security in the city not too many would be saying they want them removed if any

Unfortunately since the police are unwilling or unable to serve all of the people and do their sworn duty the army will be staying right were they are and a good job too

not much more to say here

[thesetat2013]

I think the RTA decision to keep a presence and their logic for doing so ia completely justified. Since the police (the cowards they are) refuse to assist and are in cahoots with the pro-gov and have shown to blindly follow Chalerms orders that a neutral force is needed as a deterant and since the UDD and PTP are promoting accelerated violence and secession the RTA needs to be present to protect any people who may be targeted.

Once again the RTA has shown wisdom in their assessment of the situation and of the circumstances revolving around the decision made by YL and the caretaker Gov

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

[StealthEnergiser]

The army can take a bigger role and slowly get rid of the toxin police .

Call for volunteer police to join the military police .

I think the army need to expand their military police and give any brown shirt police new positions only if they are committed against corruption and fully support democracy .

The thailand police have such a bad track record that the current uniform should be thrown in the bin new designs and colours issued once each officer has been interviewed and tested again making sure nothing electronic is attached to their private parts.

Once this is all done thailand will be controlled by honest police and the Army can go back to doing their correct jobs.

Edited March 20, 2014 by StealthEnergiser

[Morakot]

Military to maintain bunkers despite lifting of emergency

Future Tourist attraction? Or maybe a failed democracy theme park?

[rickirs]

I support the professionalism and effectiveness of the military presence on Bangkok streets, especially when it comes to dealing with moonlighting armed soldiers who are involved in the protest events. However, I disagree with the military leadership's open hostility to PTP supporters; it should remain unpolitical. But the SOE was the legal means for their presence and prior to the SOE, the military repeatedly refused to occupy Bangkok stating that there was no legal cause to do so despite the violence taking place on public and government property.

Now the military refuses to leave its street bunkers claiming it is the one who decides their occupation. Is this not abuse of power and violation of the Constitution? And if the military cannot be removed by legal means, isn't it in effect committing a coup by its abrogation of Thailand's legal system, its Constitution without accountability? Anyone considering reforms for Thailand politics and government should seriously look at the independent power of its coup-prone military.

[JamesDean3]

They are concerned about what the tourist & investrors will "Think"? How about their safety? And how about the safety of the Thai People themselves who are they not worried about this?

[Jawnie]

The military is staying in Bangkok for one reason: to keep the Reds from coming to town.

[Morch]

So basically, the only reason they are getting rid of the SOE is to "lure" tourists back under a false pretense of safety when in fact grenades and shootings are still regularly going on.

Nice, Thailand

Money over morality

Nothing like another "Black Songkran" to boost tourist numbers and investor confidence.

[Scamper]

" The government is doing everything it can to hold on to power. It lifted the state of emergency only to test the military's strength, especially that of Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. The government's supporters are not very happy with the presence of bunkers in the capital," the source said. "

This is as explicit as the army ever has been in their positioning - and it is now being made fully public. From this statement, it is clear that the army is wise to everything that Pheu Thai and the UDD have been doing, and they're not falling for any of it. They are sworn to protect the public and they are sworn to protect the independent agencies. So despite all the shenanigans of Pheu Thai and the increasing threat from the UDD, people should feel a sense of collective relief that the army will be there to protect the public and the constitutional process.

[Stan7444]

well if the emergency decree is lifted, is it not illegal for the army to then maintain a presence on the streets in what should be civil jurisdiction?

An earlier The Nation articles said the military left their barracks only due to the Emergency Decree as required by the law, but now they are saying they will not go back to their barracks once the decree is terminated. Seems like the military makes up their minds based upon what they decide to do and not what the law dictates.

[Stan7444]

" The government is doing everything it can to hold on to power. It lifted the state of emergency only to test the military's strength, especially that of Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. The government's supporters are not very happy with the presence of bunkers in the capital," the source said. "

This is as explicit as the army ever has been in their positioning - and it is now being made fully public. From this statement, it is clear that the army is wise to everything that Pheu Thai and the UDD have been doing, and they're not falling for any of it. They are sworn to protect the public and they are sworn to protect the independent agencies. So despite all the shenanigans of Pheu Thai and the increasing threat from the UDD, people should feel a sense of collective relief that the army will be there to protect the public and the constitutional process.

Seen where the military is sworn to protect the people and some high institutions but never have seen where they are sworn to protect "independent agencies". Please cite where can see such a reference.

[smedly]

give it a rest for gods sake, the army were on the streets of BKK long before any emergency decree

It has been explained multiple times why they are remaining on the streets - primarily because the police refuse to do their job

There really is nothing more to discuss here - they are staying for good reason - period.

move on to something you might understand