Thai army chief warns military 'may use force' if unrest continues

[Kooweerup]

The only end game can be a coup.

Everyday some group comes up with a plan to solve the political crisis, but none will ever gain traction. The gap widens daily.

Let the tanks roll and end the Red tyranny, restore order, dispatch Thaksin's remote control thugs, initiate reforms and then set about elections when things are stable.

If there is a Red uprising, crush them swiftly and decisively this time.

So violent, and the government has been taking a softly softly approach against the yellows. If the reds demonstrate your solution is to crush them swiftly and decisively, what happened to freedom or is that just reserved for the rich elite yellows, Suthep and the MAD MONK.

what is a yellow - in case you hadn't noticed it is simply just your average Thai on the streets wanting the extraction of a bad tooth called Thaksin - there is nothing yellow about it

If only I could break forum rules and tell you exactly what I think of you......you get the idea anyway Mr Amsterdam

It appears you have an extreme hatred of chooka. You would fit in well with the MAD Monks thugs.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[webfact]

POLITICS
Army warns it will use 'full force'


Members of the Army

Prayuth issues strong statement after deadly attack on protest site leaves 3 dead

BANGKOK: -- The mounting death toll of anti-government protesters has triggered the Army's strongest reaction, saying it may need to resort to "full military force" if the bloodshed continues.

"I want to warn every group, especially those using violence and war weapons against innocent civilians, to stop now. If this goes on, the military may be needed to come out to restore peace and order," Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said in a statement.

The troops "may need to use full force to resolve the situation" if the violence escalates, he said, adding that "decisive measures" would be inevitable if common citizens are hurt.

The message, which came after grenade and gun attacks on the main protest site early yesterday killed three people and wounded 22 others, was aimed at individuals or groups who continue harming common people, Prayuth said.

They will have to face absolute legal measures. They will not be able to ask for any compensation. Those planning to raid or seize military venues should stop immediately, the statement said.

Military commanders can impose martial law in specific areas in the event of war or riot, but Prayuth, who now also serves as deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command, did not mention that in his statement, which was read out by deputy Army spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari.

Meanwhile, the Senate has come up with an eight-step road map to lead the country out of the political deadlock, according to sources.

The Upper House will seek a Constitutional Court interpretation as to whether caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan can serve as acting prime minister. If he has no power to do so, the Senate Speaker, in his capacity as Parliament president, should have the authority to nominate a prime minister for royal endorsement, the sources said.

An interim government is expected to be in office for 18 months or longer to prepare reform proposals before a new general election is held, according to the guidelines.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party totally disagrees with any proposal to appoint an unelected prime minister and will not join the meetings hosted by acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboonlertchai, supposedly aimed at finding a way out of the political stalemate.

Pheu Thai issued its own 11-point statement reiterating that Surachai has no legal power to hold such sessions, even though they would be informal.

Its statement said the senators' discussions with independent organisations, universities and other groups had the ulterior motive of lending legitimacy to the campaign by anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban to appoint a new prime minister. It said this could lead to more trouble.

Pheu Thai also admonished Surachai for helping Suthep, who has been charged with sedition, to seize power from the government.

"A new prime minister who is unlawfully appointed will face opposition from the people, and he will be unable to run the country normally. The problem will expand and the crisis could turn into a civil war," the party said in its statement.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva questioned the legitimacy of the caretaker government after Yingluck Shinawatra was dismissed as prime minister by the Constitutional Court recently for abuse of power.

"What is the point of the Cabinet members keeping their seats when they can no longer tackle the country's many problems that have remained unsolved?" said Abhisit, whose party boycotted the February 2 election.

In a crisis like this, an interim government headed by a "politically neutral person" is needed to run the country for a short period of time, he claimed.

"This is the best way for the country's democracy to move on," he said.


-- The Nation 2014-05-16

[Dr Bruce]

If the Army are saying that they will step in if there is more violence, then expect more violence from the coup mongers.

[howzat]

Benevolent dictatorship is the only answer.

[lee b]

something has to happen, the country is dealing with a two sided triangle here !

[diehard60]

You watch and see. We will be going back to either 1990 or 2010 before suthep is done. He is killing the economy and people also. He needs to stop and let things cool down. But he will not because he wants to be the supreme commander of Thailand.

[Arjay]

U.S. confident there will not be coup de'tat in Thailand

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – The United States is confident that the Thai military will not stage another coup de’tat following the ongoing political conflict in the country.

According to Associated Press, the U.S. is reasonably confident Thailand's military will not launch another coup. U.S. officials said that they were closely monitoring the situation but had no intention of intervening.

Very much like most internal political impasses and divisions, it's not something that foreigners can come in and magically fix, said the U.S. authorities.

The U.S. has urged that solutions be both constitutional and democratic, adding that it does not believe the Thai military would want to intervene as it has reiterated that it is not interested in getting involved with politics again. The U.S. also commended the Thai military for its restraint.

Meanwhile, U.S. analysts said that given the pessimism over the prospects for a political compromise, a violent conflict would most likely be the outcome; which they said would be a blow to democratic governance in Southeast Asia and a setback to U.S. strategic interests. Duh? What?

[gabruce]

Suthep's tactics finally working

What tactics? I believe the army chief was referring to yesterday's bombing of PDRC supporters (while they were sleeping).

Bombing and shooting! The shooting was the more dangerous of the two - two dead, 27 injured if I remember correctly.

[Arjay]

U.S. confident there will not be coup de'tat in Thailand

BANGKOK, 15 May 2014 (NNT) – The United States is confident that the Thai military will not stage another coup de’tat following the ongoing political conflict in the country.

According to Associated Press, the U.S. is reasonably confident Thailand's military will not launch another coup. U.S. officials said that they were closely monitoring the situation but had no intention of intervening.

Very much like most internal political impasses and divisions, it's not something that foreigners can come in and magically fix, said the U.S. authorities.

The U.S. has urged that solutions be both constitutional and democratic, adding that it does not believe the Thai military would want to intervene as it has reiterated that it is not interested in getting involved with politics again. The U.S. also commended the Thai military for its restraint.

Meanwhile, U.S. analysts said that given the pessimism over the prospects for a political compromise, a violent conflict would most likely be the outcome; which they said would be a blow to democratic governance in Southeast Asia and a setback to U.S. strategic interests. Duh? What?

[GeorgeO]

Suthep's tactics finally working

What tactics? I believe the army chief was referring to yesterday's bombing of PDRC supporters (while they were sleeping).

Still pushing the line that it looks like him so it must be him, eh...!?

[Arjay]

With the benefit of hindsight, the army ought to have had a proper coup as soon as it was obvious that the PM had hobbled the judges during his asset hiding case after he first won power. He had no place continuing in a public capacity after that disgraceful event. The dozen or so years of chaos that his over-riding the justice system gave us was unfortunately quite an obvious result.

For this impending coup, they need to have a clear cut goal. That is to remove any trace of Shin DNA from any position of authority, for all time. I know how I would do that.

With the benefit of hindsight, the army should have rounded up the yellow shirts back in 2006, when they began to obstruct democracy. The government at the time had led strong economic growth, repayment of public debt, reduction in the military budget and perhaps most importantly an improvement in income equality. The potential growth lost in the past 8 years through the actions of a few greedy and jealous individuals has robbed the Thai people of their peace and prosperity. The facade of reforms and transparency is simply a ploy to maneuver their way back into power. They as well as any clear-headed individual knows that reforms will take decades, not months.

C'mon where you been? The Army is yellow not red!!!

[hansnl]

Well without the full scale intervention of the Russian Army on his side he could turn the country into Pattani, Northern Ireland or Afghanistan.

These stuffed suits can't control 2 provinces, so the rest of the country inc. Bangkok they have no chance.

The might of the japanese army could not fully suppress the country, even though they were on the same side!!!!

This army is made up mostly of conscripts who were too poor or stupid to avoid the draft. They look like an army, and make noises like one, but we've seen them in action time and time again and they manage to make the Police look well trained!!

Go for it General. You know you want to.... You're just not brave enough to... along with all the others in the Elites who are pushing you forward and hiding under your petticoat.

I do really wonder what you mean by your lines about the Russian and Japanese armies.

The combination with what you call stuffed suits is quite silly.

The Royal Thai army may have a lot of conscripts, and they may be poorly trained in crowd control..

But the professional part of the army is not bad at all.

You would be surprised.

The combination of conscripts and profs in an army, in my view, is how an army should be.

If only for the connection with the civilian side of a country.

Your slur about the commander is true, all generals everywhere in the world, know very well what they want and need.

It are the politicians evewhere in the world that make a mess of things.

The police?

Well trained?

In what?

Crowd control, control of criminals, traffic control?

[Mr Yim]

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Suthep's tactics finally working

On the other hand perhaps the good general is saying that if the police can't / won't fulfill their responsibilities then someone else will need to do so.

Maybe if the General hadnt tied the hands of the police, they would have fulfilled their responsibilities. The current state of affairs is largely due to the militaries unwillingness to support the police, and I dont mean physically.

[Suradit69]

...in a six-month crisis ...

I suppose it depends on how you define your crises, but this has been a really long six months.

... against innocent civilians ...

Always wondered why civilians (especially women and children) are referred to as "innocent." The evidence is often quite the opposite.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Suradit69

[irwinfc]

all bark and no bite! bring it on!

[Som wat]

Suthep needs a Seh Daeng moment.

Now that would be best for the country and its people.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Som wat

[sweatalot]

You watch and see. We will be going back to either 1990 or 2010 before suthep is done. He is killing the economy and people also. He needs to stop and let things cool down. But he will not because he wants to be the supreme commander of Thailand.

the killing of the economy is a result of ptp government

how many people did Suthep kill?

- and how many were killed by the rats reds

[AleG]

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Suthep's tactics finally working

On the other hand perhaps the good general is saying that if the police can't / won't fulfill their responsibilities then someone else will need to do so.

Maybe if the General hadnt tied the hands of the police, they would have fulfilled their responsibilities. The current state of affairs is largely due to the militaries unwillingness to support the police, and I dont mean physically.

Nothing is stopping the police from finding and arresting those behind these regular attacks, in fact the ONLY time they have made arrest was when a joint police and army patrol caught a group of Red Shirts armed with war weapons after they fired a couple M-79 grenades against the NACC on March 28th.

So that makes your statement completely bogus, in case you didn't notice.

Any comments on that? because every.single.time I bring that fact up Red Shirt/PTP sympathizers go very quiet.

[ginjag]

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

Suthep's tactics finally working

On the other hand perhaps the good general is saying that if the police can't / won't fulfill their responsibilities then someone else will need to do so.

Maybe if the General hadnt tied the hands of the police, they would have fulfilled their responsibilities. The current state of affairs is largely due to the militaries unwillingness to support the police, and I dont mean physically.

Nothing is stopping the police from finding and arresting those behind these regular attacks, in fact the ONLY time they have made arrest was when a joint police and army patrol caught a group of Red Shirts armed with war weapons after they fired a couple M-79 grenades against the NACC on March 28th.

So that makes your statement completely bogus, in case you didn't notice.

Any comments on that? because every.single.time I bring that fact up Red Shirt/PTP sympathizers go very quiet.

Because he could well be one of the Magnificent 7 here to deny and condemn critics of diabolical government.

The bib are a franchise to collect money--(road blocks mainly and other bits and bobs) they are not trained to deal with masses, Hence the reason the defenders of the realm have to waste there time doing police work. BKK a few years ago a prime example. But to criticize the Thaksin police force is the same as criticizing the government---same same but not same.

[rebelplatoon]

Sad but true. If the kids can't play together parents have to step in.

[freezacrowd]

The streets should never have been allowed to be blocked from day one, If the police cant handle it it should be up to the army

[BlueNoseCodger]

With the benefit of hindsight, the army ought to have had a proper coup as soon as it was obvious that the PM had hobbled the judges during his asset hiding case after he first won power. He had no place continuing in a public capacity after that disgraceful event. The dozen or so years of chaos that his over-riding the justice system gave us was unfortunately quite an obvious result.

For this impending coup, they need to have a clear cut goal. That is to remove any trace of Shin DNA from any position of authority, for all time. I know how I would do that.

With the benefit of hindsight, the army should have rounded up the yellow shirts back in 2006, when they began to obstruct democracy. The government at the time had led strong economic growth, repayment of public debt, reduction in the military budget and perhaps most importantly an improvement in income equality. The potential growth lost in the past 8 years through the actions of a few greedy and jealous individuals has robbed the Thai people of their peace and prosperity. The facade of reforms and transparency is simply a ploy to maneuver their way back into power. They as well as any clear-headed individual knows that reforms will take decades, not months.

C'mon where you been? The Army is yellow not red!!!

They're both, probably slightly more red than the average population, rich elites can get out of military service, poorer folk not so easily, so since the poor tend to be more red politics, and reds won 53% in 2011, there will be a slight bias to red among the troops (e.g. 54%).

This is why General Tanasak said they'd not get involved back in December last year, he said they needed a strong legal framework to keep discipline. General Prayuth does his speeches, but ultimately he is due to retire shortly, and won't want to have a coup hanging around his neck into retirement.

Even yellow soldiers want to vote. It's easy to forget that Suthep blocked the vote in the yellow south, not the red north! There are plenty of people in the south that wanted to vote, and the 6 provinces in the south that did vote, 5 had enough votes to field a candidate. (like Prachuap Khiri khan).

So it's not whether they're red or yellow, more how many conscripted soldiers want to vote for their government. Be that government red or yellow.

It's funny, they try to divide us, but yet all sides want to vote. If the south didn't want to vote, why block the ballots in the south?

Edited May 16, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[richard10365]

Please step in Thai army. I want to see something else in the news. I'm really bored of the protest. End the madness.

[myluckythai]

Here we go. The words are out!

[peterquixote]

the thing about the stuttering bird brain, is that its parrot beak is bigger than its brain

[scorecard]

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Suthep's tactics finally working

On the other hand perhaps the good general is saying that if the police can't / won't fulfill their responsibilities then someone else will need to do so.

This will be the army that handed over government house to suthep and his merry men, that kind of fulfilling responsibilities do you mean?

And you fab4 continue to ignore / evade the fact that the police are not doing their job and are almost absent.

Edited May 16, 2014 by scorecard

[emilymat]

Calm down folks too many getting their knickers in a twist over things out with their control !!

I agree. What makes me very very sad is the way, day after day, Thailand projects itself as a thrusting economic, democratic developed country, immensely proud of its achievements.

That may be so, in the eyes of many Thai's but, in reality it seems to me that, politically, it is no more than a fifth rate South American banana republic.

I get no pleasure from that statement as I live here and have many Thai friends but that's how I feel - almost in despair. Also, I refrain from suggesting a solution given the ingrained complexities of the country.

That's why I agree with Fat Haggis' post.

[Baerboxer]

If the Army are saying that they will step in if there is more violence, then expect more violence from the coup mongers.

Yes, Thaksin has increased the level of violence from his red militia and even allows one of his henchmen to "warn" people it's coming.

The only way out now for PTP is a coup - diverts attention from their various court cases and floundering and affords them some chance of salvaging something from the peace talks. They need to divert internal and external attention away from questions about missing money and corruption and screaming coup at any form of military intervention would be a good chance. This is the reason they won't talk and compromise now.

[wilcopops]

What business is it of an army what happens in politics?

Of course the Thai army seldom engages in actions against other countries but restricts its activities to attacking or controlling Thai people. How can you trust an army whose main activities over the past 50 years have been directed at its own citizens?

Edited May 16, 2014 by wilcopops