Thai Army chief calls rival groups to respect the laws

[webfact]

Army chief calls rival groups to respect the laws



BANGKOK: -- Army commander-in-chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha today called on both anti-government protesters and redshirts to avoid confrontation on March 29 so as to prevent clashes and loss.

The army chief’s call came as the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) planned a massive street march on March 29, while the redshirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) also vowed to gather as much as half a million supporters to rally in the capital on the same day.

General Prayuth said both sides could hold rallies as it is the right given by law but they must be peaceful rallies and no breach of laws.

But he said rally today is considered illegal because the internal security law is in place to maintain peace and order.
Therefore, he said, leaders of both rival sides should have to control their people and avoid confrontation or clashes.

Significantly was that they must ensure that there would be no injuries or loss of lives from the rallies, he said.

He said soldiers and police have to keep peace and order on both sides.

Asked whether the Army will increase more troops to handle the rallies on March 29, the army chief said any increase in security checkpoints and troops in the capital depended on the situation, and permission had to be sought from the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order.
He assured that the Army belongs to the people without siding with any group.

Soldiers have the duty to protect the people, as well as all independent organizations.

He urged all sides to have faith and trust on the judicial system.
What ever ruling will come out from the court of justice, there must be both who are satisfied and dissatisfied.

But all rulings are based on laws and evidence, he said, adding if emotion is used to decide, or to go on street fights, no imminent end of problem will be in sight.

He then called on all sides to sacrifice for the sake of the country.

He also said the Army did not stay put in dealing with people who violate the institution.
He cited example of the Army filing charges against redshirt hardcore leader Ko Tee, saying now the case is being handled by the police.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/army-chief-calls-rival-groups-respect-laws/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-26

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

"the army chief said any increase in security checkpoints and troops in the capital depended on the situation, and permission had to be sought from the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order"

"He cited example of the Army filing charges against redshirt hardcore leader Ko Tee, saying now the case is being handled by the police."

And we all know who is controlling the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order.

[Costas2008]

Yep, my favourite man, Mr Surapong.

[MunterHunter]

"the army chief said any increase in security checkpoints and troops in the capital depended on the situation, and permission had to be sought from the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order"

"He cited example of the Army filing charges against redshirt hardcore leader Ko Tee, saying now the case is being handled by the police."

And we all know who is controlling the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order.

and the police...

... expect a huge amount of 'nothing' to happen with these cases in the up coming days/weeks

[Scamper]

" Soldiers have the duty to protect the people, as well as all independent organizations. He urged all sides to have faith and trust on the judicial system. "

This is the key. These are Prayuth's priorities, and if the UDD bring violence to the scene and go after the NACC, Prayuth will have to act. Prayuth is really boxed in a corner to a degree that must now be considered unprecedented. His announcement for peaceful rallies has already been met with the UDD attack on the army checkpoint guarding the NACC, with the result of it being dismantled. His appeal to go after the secessionist movement under Ko Tee has been filed with the very agencies that have no vested interest in prosecuting him - Chalerm at the CMPO, and the police. Prayuth also states that he needs permission from the CMPO for an increased army presence in the city. As Chalerm and Thaksin's cousin control that, that in itself is beyond surreal. Surapong's objectives are not the same as Prayuth's. Surapong is not interested in the protection of the independent agencies and he is not interested in respecting judicial rulings. As the UDD was successful in dismantling the NACC's military checkpoint security, a very clear line has been crossed, and a dangerous precedent has been set. On Saturday, there will be large rallies in Bangkok from the PDRC and the UDD, for the first time in years. Thaksin seems to have given the UDD the green light. He has Yingluck and Surapong " studying " the Constitutional Court's ruling and shaking their heads, as well as having Surapong appealing to the UN to admonish the Constitutional Court and the independent agencies, which in itself is jaw-dropping. In other words, the narrative of Pheu Thai has now become almost indistinguishable from that of the UDD.

[Darcula]

He's spending too much time on press conferences.

[Mackie]

I guess his words fell on deaf ears. Jatuporn's followers not only broke the law of the land but also dismantled an army checkpoint close to NAAC. I personally believe that red shirts/UDD/PTP leaders would like Thai army to stage a coup. They screwed so many things in this society and none of them wants to take any responsibility. A couple of dozen billions of USD wasted/stolen. Affair after affair and not a single person has been held accountable. Unbelievable.

Edited March 26, 2014 by Mackie

[DirtFarmer]

" Soldiers have the duty to protect the people, as well as all independent organizations. He urged all sides to have faith and trust on the judicial system. "

This is the key. These are Prayuth's priorities, and if the UDD bring violence to the scene and go after the NACC, Prayuth will have to act. Prayuth is really boxed in a corner to a degree that must now be considered unprecedented. His announcement for peaceful rallies has already been met with the UDD attack on the army checkpoint guarding the NACC, with the result of it being dismantled. His appeal to go after the secessionist movement under Ko Tee has been filed with the very agencies that have no vested interest in prosecuting him - Chalerm at the CMPO, and the police. Prayuth also states that he needs permission from the CMPO for an increased army presence in the city. As Chalerm and Thaksin's cousin control that, that in itself is beyond surreal. Surapong's objectives are not the same as Prayuth's. Surapong is not interested in the protection of the independent agencies and he is not interested in respecting judicial rulings. As the UDD was successful in dismantling the NACC's military checkpoint security, a very clear line has been crossed, and a dangerous precedent has been set. On Saturday, there will be large rallies in Bangkok from the PDRC and the UDD, for the first time in years. Thaksin seems to have given the UDD the green light. He has Yingluck and Surapong " studying " the Constitutional Court's ruling and shaking their heads, as well as having Surapong appealing to the UN to admonish the Constitutional Court and the independent agencies, which in itself is jaw-dropping. In other words, the narrative of Pheu Thai has now become almost indistinguishable from that of the UDD.

extremley biased interpretation of a highly convoluted issue and impending day in the sun. Although I often agree with you that the Thai Media loses a lot in translation (generous) and probably mis-represents 25% or better of what actually is said.. it is good fodder for the partisans ever present here to apply their spin "as they see it" which is our/your right but I am forever amazed at the simplistic unrealistic shortminded terms you choose to interpret with... I think we all know the players by now and who represents what both in Thai Politics and here in TV... but never cease to be amused at Lord Fauntleroy deigning his "take" on what people can interpret for themselves.. better entertainment than the Thai soaps though...sheesh! Thanks for making me laugh ! Again!

[MunterHunter]

" Soldiers have the duty to protect the people, as well as all independent organizations. He urged all sides to have faith and trust on the judicial system. "

This is the key. These are Prayuth's priorities, and if the UDD bring violence to the scene and go after the NACC, Prayuth will have to act. Prayuth is really boxed in a corner to a degree that must now be considered unprecedented. His announcement for peaceful rallies has already been met with the UDD attack on the army checkpoint guarding the NACC, with the result of it being dismantled. His appeal to go after the secessionist movement under Ko Tee has been filed with the very agencies that have no vested interest in prosecuting him - Chalerm at the CMPO, and the police. Prayuth also states that he needs permission from the CMPO for an increased army presence in the city. As Chalerm and Thaksin's cousin control that, that in itself is beyond surreal. Surapong's objectives are not the same as Prayuth's. Surapong is not interested in the protection of the independent agencies and he is not interested in respecting judicial rulings. As the UDD was successful in dismantling the NACC's military checkpoint security, a very clear line has been crossed, and a dangerous precedent has been set. On Saturday, there will be large rallies in Bangkok from the PDRC and the UDD, for the first time in years. Thaksin seems to have given the UDD the green light. He has Yingluck and Surapong " studying " the Constitutional Court's ruling and shaking their heads, as well as having Surapong appealing to the UN to admonish the Constitutional Court and the independent agencies, which in itself is jaw-dropping. In other words, the narrative of Pheu Thai has now become almost indistinguishable from that of the UDD.

extremley biased interpretation of a highly convoluted issue and impending day in the sun. Although I often agree with you that the Thai Media loses a lot in translation (generous) and probably mis-represents 25% or better of what actually is said.. it is good fodder for the partisans ever present here to apply their spin "as they see it" which is our/your right but I am forever amazed at the simplistic unrealistic shortminded terms you choose to interpret with... I think we all know the players by now and who represents what both in Thai Politics and here in TV... but never cease to be amused at Lord Fauntleroy deigning his "take" on what people can interpret for themselves.. better entertainment than the Thai soaps though...sheesh! Thanks for making me laugh ! Again!

You realize that TVF *IS* the Daily Thai Soap for most of us, right?

[kingalfred]

Well General,if you have control of your army and use it effectively you can prevent any major violent clashes. Organize yourself and get tough.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[noitom]

He seems to be the only sane Thai person in the public eye. Thailand should be under martial law for the safety and security of Thais and foreigners alike. Thailand without martial law cannot be trusted. Prayuth should take over and steer the ship into peaceful civilian leadership. he can do it. He can be trusted. Thailand needs martial law with Prayuth as its head.

[Thai at Heart]

" Soldiers have the duty to protect the people, as well as all independent organizations. He urged all sides to have faith and trust on the judicial system. "

This is the key. These are Prayuth's priorities, and if the UDD bring violence to the scene and go after the NACC, Prayuth will have to act. Prayuth is really boxed in a corner to a degree that must now be considered unprecedented. His announcement for peaceful rallies has already been met with the UDD attack on the army checkpoint guarding the NACC, with the result of it being dismantled. His appeal to go after the secessionist movement under Ko Tee has been filed with the very agencies that have no vested interest in prosecuting him - Chalerm at the CMPO, and the police. Prayuth also states that he needs permission from the CMPO for an increased army presence in the city. As Chalerm and Thaksin's cousin control that, that in itself is beyond surreal. Surapong's objectives are not the same as Prayuth's. Surapong is not interested in the protection of the independent agencies and he is not interested in respecting judicial rulings. As the UDD was successful in dismantling the NACC's military checkpoint security, a very clear line has been crossed, and a dangerous precedent has been set. On Saturday, there will be large rallies in Bangkok from the PDRC and the UDD, for the first time in years. Thaksin seems to have given the UDD the green light. He has Yingluck and Surapong " studying " the Constitutional Court's ruling and shaking their heads, as well as having Surapong appealing to the UN to admonish the Constitutional Court and the independent agencies, which in itself is jaw-dropping. In other words, the narrative of Pheu Thai has now become almost indistinguishable from that of the UDD.

I think what he means is, please don't make us intervene whilst the courts are busy delivering our reform committee .

[JoeThePoster]

He's spending too much time on press conferences.

His golf buddies are complaining?

[webfact]

POLITICS
Prayuth calls on political rivals to respect court rulings
Panya Thiosangwan,
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLITICAL conflicts in Thailand will never end through street protests, but it is the law-abiding mentality of all sides that will count and prevail, Army commander in chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.

Judicial decisions must be respected and complied with thoroughly, not selectively as some people do now, he added. If one disagrees with court rulings, there are ways under normal procedures to appeal against them. "There are hundreds of thousands or millions of court verdicts issued. If everyone says that any verdict against them is unjust, what would happen to the country?" he asked.

Street protests, without respect for the law, cannot find a way out of political conflicts, as there will always be winners and losers in court rulings, and the losing side would never be pleased and would oppose the ruling, he added.

Asked to comment on pro-government red shirts' call for the military to declare martial law, Prayuth said such a draconian move was designed to end extreme violence or disorder.

"I don't want to use strong medication. However, if the patient develops drug resistance, no medication will be able to heal him. Similarly, a hundred laws will not be able to satisfy people who don't respect the law," he said.

He urged all sides to step back and comply with the rulings, and appeal against them through the normal legal process.

"If rule of law is not obeyed, will everyone be abiding by mob rule - like in ancient times when victory was judged by the greater force of men?" the general asked.

A group of red shirts yesterday confronted a squad of soldiers at an emplacement near the National Anti-Corruption Commission and drove them away, before dismantling the bunker.

The commander of 1st Division King's Guard, Maj-General Varah Boonyasit, said patrols in the area would be adopted in place of the bunker that previously served as an observation post to guard against grenade attacks from M79 launchers.

A red-shirt leader, Pheu Thai Party candidate Worachai Hema, said a large number of red shirts would converge at 20 locations around Bangkok on April 5, each location bringing together up to 20,000 protesters, to guard against any coup attempt or protect the Yingluck Shinawatra government against legal action by independent agencies.

Worachai called on Yingluck, as the defence minister, to order Prayuth to have all bunkers removed.


-- The Nation 2014-03-26

[Thai at Heart]

Is that a warning to Suthep.

Never end through street protests. Hmmmm. Interesting.

[Ricardo]

He's spending too much time on press conferences.

Better "jaw, jaw" than "war, war", IMO.

[kingalfred]

POLITICS

Prayuth calls on political rivals to respect court rulings

Panya Thiosangwan,

Praphan Jindalertudomdee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLITICAL conflicts in Thailand will never end through street protests, but it is the law-abiding mentality of all sides that will count and prevail, Army commander in chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.

A group of red shirts yesterday confronted a squad of soldiers at an emplacement near the National Anti-Corruption Commission and drove them away, before dismantling the bunker.

-- The Nation 2014-03-26

Soldiers confronted and driven away from their bunker by a group of " red shirts"? an Army in name only,pathetic.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited March 27, 2014 by kingalfred

[geriatrickid]

He seems to be the only sane Thai person in the public eye. Thailand should be under martial law for the safety and security of Thais and foreigners alike. Thailand without martial law cannot be trusted. Prayuth should take over and steer the ship into peaceful civilian leadership. he can do it. He can be trusted. Thailand needs martial law with Prayuth as its head.

A profoundly ignorant and foolish comment.

Suthep and others are counting on people like you to say such things. By pushing Thailand to the brink of chaos, they have convinced you that the only salvation is rule by an organization that is just as corrupt and inept as the politicians you want replaced. The big difference is that politicians are accountable to the people at election time, while the military states that it is not accountable to the people.

The Red Brigades who terrorized Italy and the fascist group NAR shared a similar strategy of hoping to create panic and a demand from the public for a military coup "to restore order". The fascists, like you, believed it would bring order and the "right" way of governing. The Red Brigades hoped such a dictatorship would spark a popular uprising against the "establishment". Both misjudged the public, who preferred civilian rule and law and order through responsible means.

Thailand's political world is a place of many faces. The public smiling one showing benevolence and concern, and the private one of sneering avarice as the money is counted. Do you know how Prayuth gained his position or rose through the ranks? Do you think he became the boss because he was a friendly chap who cracked jokes with the conscripts and took care of the guys who are sent to the south without proper equipment and came back without limbs, if they were lucky, all because the command staff preferred to invest in their private fleet of luxury vehicles or new turf for a golf course, or some nice perks for the top heavy general staff. What exactly has your hero done to respond to the alleged corruption of his own organization? Why did he not forbid "free lancers" from his specialized units from participating in illegal activities associated with the protests? Why has he not brought disciplinary action the navy seals who were caught engaged in improper conduct? And the million dollar question, why has he stood by and allowed his navy to harass and pursue a Phuket based newspaper for shining a light on the horrific treatment of the Rohingya, and allowed the navy to continue with its attempt to intimidate Reuters for reporting some embarrassing details about the Thai navy and the Rohingya?

[gabruce]

POLITICS

Prayuth calls on political rivals to respect court rulings

Panya Thiosangwan,

Praphan Jindalertudomdee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLITICAL conflicts in Thailand will never end through street protests, but it is the law-abiding mentality of all sides that will count and prevail, Army commander in chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.

A group of red shirts yesterday confronted a squad of soldiers at an emplacement near the National Anti-Corruption Commission and drove them away, before dismantling the bunker.

-- The Nation 2014-03-26

Soldiers confronted and driven away from their bunker by a group of " red shirts"? an Army in name only,pathetic.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Were the Red Shirts armed? Were the soldiers armed? What were the rules of engagement? What was the threat level? If they left against orders, that's one thing. If they had orders to avoid violence and the officer in charge deemed it prudent leave the checkpoint - then that was a reasonable response.

[Lupatria]

Army chief calls rival groups to respect the laws

...if not- see what happens next week, or the week after, or one that follows.

He is repeating his sermon for a little too long now. Seems now everyone is using the 'it will all happen next week' procedure...

[kingalfred]

POLITICS

Prayuth calls on political rivals to respect court rulings

Panya Thiosangwan,

Praphan Jindalertudomdee

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- POLITICAL conflicts in Thailand will never end through street protests, but it is the law-abiding mentality of all sides that will count and prevail, Army commander in chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.

A group of red shirts yesterday confronted a squad of soldiers at an emplacement near the National Anti-Corruption Commission and drove them away, before dismantling the bunker.

-- The Nation 2014-03-26

Soldiers confronted and driven away from their bunker by a group of " red shirts"? an Army in name only,pathetic.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Were the Red Shirts armed? Were the soldiers armed? What were the rules of engagement? What was the threat level? If they left against orders, that's one thing. If they had orders to avoid violence and the officer in charge deemed it prudent leave the checkpoint - then that was a reasonable response.

backing down and humiliation of it. Not really Thai

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ikke]

Yep, my favourite man, Mr Surapong.

NO, you must be joking , your favourite is Suthep, but I must say, you almost got me......