Army Chief scolds red shirts for naming neutral PM candidates

[webfact]

Army Chief scolds red shirts for naming neutral PM candidates



BANGKOK, 26 March 2014 (NNT) – After the red-shirt group unveiled names of individuals who were likely to be appointed as a neutral prime minister, Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has criticized the action, saying the list was based on the group’s own opinion and should be left unheeded.

As one of the people cited by core leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) Nattawut Saikua as prospective nominees for the title of neutral prime minister, Gen Prayuth has denied the information as groundless. He said such a claim was purely Mr Nattawut’s assumption and urged the public not to pay any attention.

The Army Chief also cautioned the UDD core leader to tread on eggshells when it came to talking about this subject as it was receiving much interest from society. He called for more respect to both the people hearing such false information and those being mentioned.

Moreover, Gen Prayuth vowed that he had no personal relations with anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and that the Army had been performing its duty with integrity. He said the power to end the current political standoff rested with the people and the two conflicting parties, urging them to never resort to violence.


-- NNT 2014-03-26

[kriswillems]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

[NongKhaiKid]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

It's quite common in several Asian counties where the military gets involved in politics as a matter of course for their own agenda and so many politicians are quite happy to keep them onside.

A situation that is so different to the west where such interference wouldn't be welcomed or tolerated.

[webfact]

Army chief slams Natthawut for groundless talk



BANGKOK: -- Caretaker deputy commerce minister Natthawuty Saikua was taken to task Tuesday by Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha for disclosing to the media certain individuals whom he claimed are candidates to be named neutral interim prime minister.

The general pointed out that Mr Natthawut’s disclosure of the names of the so-called candidates lack any supporting basis and reasoning. He questioned the deputy minister’s motives and slammed the latter of being unfair to the people whom he named because they were not given an opportunity to rebut the claim.

General Prayuth said that he used to discuss with former defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwan whom Natthawut claimed to be one of the candidates about the issue of a neutral prime minister.

General Prawit, said the army chief, admitted he was very disturbed by such a baseless report and said that he had never been approached by anybody.

The army chief then urged Natthawut to better mind his own business which is to help rice farmers who are yet to get paid for having their crops pledged with the government under the rice pledging scheme.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/army-chief-slams-natthawut-groundless-talk/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-26

[djjamie]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since when and in which country do accused mass murderers, accused terrorists, convicted criminal fugitives run governments?

[MGP]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since the ruling politicians are utterly incompetent.

[huanga]

The army chief then urged Natthawut to better mind his own business which is to help rice farmers who are yet to get paid for having their crops pledged with the government under the rice pledging scheme.

I agree with this statement! let Natthawut name the line-up in PTP who are responsible for the rice-scam fiasco, especially when he has the inside information on who are doing the skimming!

[SABloke]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since forever and in THIS country.

Sent from my GT-S7270 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chainarong]

Already these spivs are rattling the tin, the direction this Suthep lead protest is taking Thailand would be better of with an independent reform Panel, not a government and here we have the excellence in Democratic reform, the astute from the PTP bargaining bin ,frothing at the mouth and nominating their own , exactly the opposite to what everyone else has been indicating , General Prayuth must be laughing in he's boots at this dismal example of shonky politics, however congratulations , where brains are concerned you would have to be at -10.

[kurnell]

20 years in this country and I am yet to hear an intelligent comment from a politician

[englishoak]

God forbid anyone actually mentions a name here. Oh the horror of it all, probably upset because his name isnt on the list

[gabruce]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

His name (and another General) was on the list. I think that's primarily what sparked the scolding. In any country, if a prominent party said a general was a candidate for an appointed prime minister/president, it would be reasonable to respond. Nattawut is probably just making up a list of names to stir controversy and try to move attention away from PTP and government shortcomings.

[expat888]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since when and in which country do accused mass murderers, accused terrorists, convicted criminal fugitives run governments?

Ok. I'll bite. Thailand

[bigbamboo]

Come on, what's the big deal here?

Everyone will speculate on who should take over from Tiny Tears so why shouldn't the redshirts.

[smutcakes]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since when and in which country do accused mass murderers, accused terrorists, convicted criminal fugitives run governments?

Well old Suthep seems to be doing okay

[bulekee]

Does the general not realise he is risking his life by scolding,just look what happened to the monk and what the 19y.o. did to his family for being scolded and I am sure we have read many more instances where violence was used because someone was scolded.

[MGP]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since the ruling politicians are utterly incompetent.

Furthermore, he was also included on the Red Shirt list of candidates for Interim Prime Minister.

Isn't that enough reason for making an statement?

Edited March 26, 2014 by MGP

[bulekee]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since the ruling politicians are utterly incompetent.

Shouldn't that read " incontinent,full of s*#t and can't fly.

[smutcakes]

Army chief: Please don't name me, i retire in Q3, when i can enjoy all my ill gotten wealth- and nominate my classmate, brother and friend to lead the fight against cronyism.

[smutcakes]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since the ruling politicians are utterly incompetent.

Yes, the army are well known for their competence and transparency in business dealings.

[fab4]

For a rough tough Army Chief, he sure has a thin skin, or is it a quick temper? I would have thought he would have been flattered, being named as the man most likely to become PM after a coup. After all he has been threatening one, surely a end of career move as Pm would be right up his street. This is a man you can do business with, as long as you are of a certain political persuasion.

[Blackmirage2013]

Prayuth is the smartest guy in the fray...

What Nattawut really needs is a hard spanking...

[h90]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

hmm

Austria

Turkey

Egypt

I heard recently...sure there are more. But I don't know any country which forbids an army general to state something about politics.

If it is smart is another question.

[h90]

Prayuth is the smartest guy in the fray...

What Nattawut really needs is a hard spanking...

but the competition isn't very strong.....

[fab4]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

hmm

Austria

Turkey

Egypt

I heard recently...sure there are more. But I don't know any country which forbids an army general to state something about politics.

If it is smart is another question.

Ah Egypt, yes, they have a similar judicial system don't they?

[tim armstrong]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

No they don't in other countries, but Thailand has its own style of democracy and separation of powers. At present the general is the only respected voice of moderation in the country, and the Army should be commended for trying to keep out of the fray. The disturbing thing is that the future direction of thailand is secondary in politics to the constant personal attacks on all sides. Unfortunately many thais have been conditioned to think that Thaksin, or Suthep, or Abhisit or some leader will personally solve their debt problems, and make them prosperous. The biggest need in thailand at all levels is education.

[northernjohn]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since when and in which country do accused mass murderers, accused terrorists, convicted criminal fugitives run governments?

Good question.

I would suggest looking to some of the countries ruled along the lines of North Korea or the Sudan.

[djjamie]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Since when and in which country do accused mass murderers, accused terrorists, convicted criminal fugitives run governments?

Well old Suthep seems to be doing okay

Even when there is no logical comparison what so ever to the PDRC, the DEM,s, Suthep, or Ahbisit people still make one.

To stay abreast of your razor edge rebuttals I could equal that by saying "It takes one to know one"! Pretty silly heay?

To even compare Suthep anyway while brushing over this fact you in so much as condone an accused terrorist, accused mass murderer, convicted criminal fugitive running Thailand. So because Suthep is the same does that make it right?

Besides that fact your comparison is illogical. Remember Suthep is a street thug, fascist, brainless beast, dictator, undemocratic, terrorist (feel free to add your favorite demonizing word here "…………….") and your peers keep reminding me of these "beliefs"? So he is allowed to be an accused terrorist, accused mass murderer though he is convicted of nothing. thaksin on the other hand is running the country. That makes those traits a no no.

Steet thug - No problem. Exiled leader controlling the PTP - Problem. Does it really need explaining?

My daughter was late for school this morning.

Well old Suthep's daughter seems to be doing okay

Pretty silly comparison really heay.

Edited March 26, 2014 by djjamie

[Baerboxer]

Since when and in which country army generals do statements about politics?

Or maybe his name was missing on the list?

Read the OP carefully. His name was on the list banded about by the red shirt leader. He had every right to respond.

[Baerboxer]

God forbid anyone actually mentions a name here. Oh the horror of it all, probably upset because his name isnt on the list

His name was on the list - that is why he is responding. Read the OP again, Duh