Thai Army chief Gen Prayuth against use of force to end impasse

[webfact]

POLICE
Prayuth against use of force to end impasse
The Nation


People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and protesters are warmly welcomed during their visit to the Port Authority of Thailand.

BANGKOK: -- Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday voiced concerns about some local leaders and political groups opting for violence to end the prolonged political conflict.

"There are several groups that talk about violence. You know which groups I am referring to. We need to look back and see what is causing the problem. If you can resolve the symptoms but not the cause, then you cannot end this crisis," he said.

Prayuth also called on all sides to refrain from issuing threats or making remarks that might deepen the current impasse, adding that it would take time to remove the root cause of the problems faced by Thailand.

"As long as the conditions from which the conflicts originate remain, we cannot move forward. Don't depend on the military to find a way out because we have to do our job of maintaining security," he said.

Prayuth also threatened to file lawsuits against newspapers that published reports accusing him of not doing anything.

"I will take legal action against some papers that have published reports accusing me of doing nothing because I have allegedly accepted some interests. Nobody can 'buy' the military. We will not change no matter what is offered to us. Nobody wants so much power that one has to accept all sorts of offers.'' he said.

He also warned different groups to refrain from widening ongoing conflicts, pointing out that respected senior figures had good intentions for the country, but were misunderstood due to miscommunication. "Look at their intention - whether they achieve their purpose depends very much on the mechanisms in place. There are legal and Constitution-related obstacles," he pointed out.

Prayuth was referring to retired supreme commander Gen Saiyud Kerdphol's announcment on Saturday that Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda had accepted his group's plan to seek help from His Majesty to end the political crisis. Prem later had his aide deny this report, saying Saiyud had misunderstood the elder statesman.

Separately, Prayuth said he had informed the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order to look into allegations that former supreme commander General Chaiyasith Shinawatra had established a militia and was behind armed personnel being trained in Nakhon Ratchasima. "I am getting the Internal Security Operation Commands monitor and report to me about what kind of training is being done," Prayuth said.

However, Chaiyasith has flatly denied the allegation, saying he had gone to Si Sa Ket province in the Northeast to visit old military colleagues.

Prayuth also said he would speak to the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order about its plan to adjust security measures for the capital by replacing soldiers with police.

"We have to find out if the police can ensure public safety without our support. I have no problems in working with anyone, I just want the country to be safe and sound,'' Prayuth said.


-- The Nation 2014-04-30

[Tatsujin]

Prayuth said he had informed the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order to look into allegations that former supreme commander General Chaiyasith Shinawatra had established a militia and was behind armed personnel being trained in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Interesting.

[chainarong]

General Prayuth has the finger on the pulse, he knows what is happening, what games are being played out and who is doing what , military force is the lender of the last resort , however that option will stand, as always , in these sort of engagements.

[Bkungbank]

History have taught us that Communist and Republic lead by General Chiang Kai Sek was fighting against Mao in China during civil war 1911-1941,

These people were all Chinese but different ideology as the same happening here now that different ideology of politic are time bomb waiting to exploded if no proper action were taken soonest possible.

Edited April 30, 2014 by Bkungbank

[tingtongteesood]

Sad to say we all know that if Thaksin doesn't get his way then he will bring violence to Bangkok out of pure spite. And in 2010 we saw what he is capable of thanks to his bootlicking cronies help and the brainwashing they spread. Sad to say it can and possibly will all happen over again. This vicious cycle of utter stupidity must be stopped. This is why the Shin's are a cancer to the country. This is why the country can never move forward and get out of the rut it is in while this evil tyrant has any control. Red villages must be scrapped, red 'schools' ( brainwashers ) must be closed, red anything should be done away with, and all the reds can go back to being Thai people instead of servants of Thaksin. THEN we can look forward to the future.

[sweatalot]

a voice of reason and sanity in this chaos.

Hopefully he will do what is necessary to help and protect the people.

[newcomer71]

General Prayuth has the finger on the pulse, he knows what is happening, what games are being played out and who is doing what , military force is the lender of the last resort , however that option will stand, as always , in these sort of engagements.

I agree and I would add: he not only knows what games are being played, but especially he is one of the key players.

[issanaus]

Sad to say we all know that if Thaksin doesn't get his way then he will bring violence to Bangkok out of pure spite. And in 2010 we saw what he is capable of thanks to his bootlicking cronies help and the brainwashing they spread. Sad to say it can and possibly will all happen over again. This vicious cycle of utter stupidity must be stopped. This is why the Shin's are a cancer to the country. This is why the country can never move forward and get out of the rut it is in while this evil tyrant has any control. Red villages must be scrapped, red 'schools' ( brainwashers ) must be closed, red anything should be done away with, and all the reds can go back to being Thai people instead of servants of Thaksin. THEN we can look forward to the future.

Prayuth also called on all sides to refrain from issuing threats or making remarks that might deepen the current impasse, adding that it would take time to remove the root cause of the problems faced by Thailand.

"As long as the conditions from which the conflicts originate remain, we cannot move forward. Don't depend on the military to find a way out because we have to do our job of maintaining security," he said.

very good advice IMHO

[WoopyDoo]

Is this basically a long winded way of saying to CAPO and the PTP..... ???

'We know what you are all up to here, and don't think that we are not well informed, no troop reductions and NO crackdowns will be tolerated'.

It's all quite possible... He may even agree with a partial reduction to test the police, but if attacks either persist or increase, then they will come back with even bigger force, this time even armed.

What the f*** use is an unarmed army anyway? May as well be guarding protesters with lollypop men.

[Scamper]

Prayuth is a man of considerable intelligence. He also knows far more than what media observers know. He's connected dots, to be sure. He's also cautious and careful in what he says. Ironically, that makes his voice among the most reasonable.

[rickirs]

Prayuth seems to be a very strong-willed, moral, accomplished leader who keeps balance in his profession.

But it's unfortunate that he still feels some insecurity about himself that he has to also threaten to file lawsuits against newspapers that publish reports accusing him of not doing anything. His statement reflects a character weakness of an inflated ego even if it isn't true. If he believes he is doing right why should he care about what is published? He's not running for elected office. He can simply respond, using the public opportunity given to him that removes the appearance of grandstanding himself, by citing his accomplishments. Sometimes, attack isn't the best defense but rather defense is the best defense.

[h90]

History have taught us that Communist and Republic lead by General Chiang Kai Sek was fighting against Mao in China during civil war 1911-1941,

These people were all Chinese but different ideology as the same happening here now that different ideology of politic are time bomb waiting to exploded if no proper action were taken soonest possible.

corruption is hardly a ideology

[issanaus]

Prayuth is a man of considerable intelligence. He also knows far more than what media observers know. He's connected dots, to be sure. He's also cautious and careful in what he says. Ironically, that makes his voice among the most reasonable.

Normally I laugh when I see the term "military intelligence" but next to political intelligence it becomes more viable. General politicians reward those who tell them what they want to hear. Generals normally prefer to hear the truth before they get their butts kicked.

My guess would be that he is the best informed person in the country.

[fab4]

Prayuth against use of force to end impasse

It's a shame he and abhisit were not of the same mind in 2010............

[Scamper]

For those that mistakenly assume that Prayuth had been assigned army chief during the period of Ratchaprason, should know that the army chief at that time was Anupong Paochinda. Prayuth was assigned the position in October, 2010.

[than]

Prayuth against use of force to end impasse

It's a shame he and abhisit were not of the same mind in 2010............

Fab4 I think you are a empty-headed red lover, Prayuth take office in October 2010, He was not in charge of suppress red terrorist in Bangkok in May 2010.

For memory according to foreign diplomatic sources around 300 mercenaries were hired by Khattiya in 2010 and they were easly defeated by thai army, some report quote that these men used human shield for protect them.

[fab4]

Prayuth against use of force to end impasse

It's a shame he and abhisit were not of the same mind in 2010............

Fab4 I think you are a empty-headed red lover, Prayuth take office in October 2010, He was not in charge of suppress red terrorist in Bangkok in May 2010.

For memory according to foreign diplomatic sources around 300 mercenaries were hired by Khattiya in 2010 and they were easly defeated by thai army, some report quote that these men used human shield for protect them.

than, that's your problem you don't think before posting. I'll give you this one link. There's far more to the events of 2010 that most posters either don't know or ignore

The coup happened amid political polarisation permeating all sectors of society. Sonthi ousted the then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power but failed to end the polarisation in society as well as in the military.

Many top generals and battalion commanders saw their careers wrecked. Graduates from Pre-Cadet Class 10, which boasted leaders like Thaksin and Anupong, were mired by irreconcilable differences.

Faced with an Army falling apart at the seams, Anupong had no choice but to consolidate his power. Based on his partnership with Prayuth, he built a band of leaders known as the "Eastern Tigers".

Under Anupong's power consolidation, Prayuth was anointed as an heir apparent for the position of Army commander-in-chief.

The "Eastern Tigers" proved the right medicine for post-coup discontent. But they also blocked the career path of a large number of professional soldiers not in the same clique.

Should the "Eastern Tigers" get their way on succession plans, a military dynasty may emerge because an incumbent leader could pass his torch to a long line of designated successors.

While the bombs in December 2006 may have sounded an alarm about post-coup discontent, the "men in black" involved in the recent unrest in Bangkok served as a reminder of possible side-effects of the dominating influence of the "Eastern Tigers".

Out of spite or undying loyalty to Thaksin, some top generals may have helped prepare for the urban guerrilla clash as carried out by the men in black on April 10 and later days. But their common motive to get involved in plotting the unrest was probably the rise of the "Eastern Tigers".

It should not have gone unnoticed that Prayuth was the commander in charge during the April 10 violence, in which Colonel Romklao Thuwatham of the Second Infantry Division was killed. Romklao was from the "Eastern Tigers" clique.

None of the field commanders from Kanchanaburi, Bangkok and Lop Buri were harmed or targeted when they led security operations to end the Rajprasong rally on May 19.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/06/08/politics/Is-Prayuth-the-best-choice-amid-signs-of-Army-riva-30131079.html

Food for thought, well it should be, but will no doubt be ignored.

"around 300 mercenaries were hired by Khattiya in 2010 and they were easly defeated by thai army"

??? Do you recall even one of the the "blackshirts" being killed? Khattiya Sawasdiphol's aide was arrested and that was it, hardly "easily defeated" by the RTA.

Almost word for word, straight out of cartalucci propaganda

Thaksin had clearly augmented this with professional mercenaries, drawn from paramilitary border units in the north and northeast, but these numbered only about 300 and were easily outmatched by the Thai military in 2010 http://www.globalresearch.ca/thailand-civil-war-is-impossible-but-terrorism-dressed-as-civil-war-is-likely/5363757?print=1

Tell me, do you honestly believe the BS he writes?

[fab4]

For those that mistakenly assume that Prayuth had been assigned army chief during the period of Ratchaprason, should know that the army chief at that time was Anupong Paochinda. Prayuth was assigned the position in October, 2010.

For those who mistakenly thought I was referring to Prayuth being Army chief they really ought to do more research. Anupong had kept a low profile throughout 2009 with Prayuth effectively leading the RTA. This continued throughout 2010 until he finally took the job officially.

If you want to be smug, check your facts first.

[than]

Tony Carlalucci like me have access to foreign diplomatic sources, these sources are checked and not bias like some red "newspaper".....

For you all people are think differently to you are foes and only use propaganda (red shirt communist mentality ), perhaps for you think foreign sources are propaganda too. These sources not only report news from government but diplomat were in contact with all actors of it drama......

Just for remind you, the 19 May 2010 US Secretary of States condemned violent action made by reds elements, condemn burning commit by reds element against offices and building, condemn violence commit against journalist by red shirts ( sources AFP)

Washington said on Wednesday it was "deeply concerned that Red Shirt supporters have engaged in arson, targeting electricity infrastructure and media outlets and have attacked individual journalists", said State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid.

"And we condemn such behavior and call on (their) leaders and affiliated opposition politicians to urge their supporters to stop such acts."

13 April 2009 :

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States said Monday it condemned the "unacceptable violence" by anti-government protesters in Thailand.

"We're watching the situation in Thailand very closely and condemn... this unacceptable violence by the protesters," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters."

Perhaps are propaganda for you