Former Thai FM Surapong voices support for martial law declaration

[webfact]

Surapong voices support for martial law
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Friday expressed his support for the declaration of martial law by the Army.

Surapong said if the Army were to declare martial law nationwide, the new election could be held smoothly.

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha indicated Thursday that he might have to resort to martial law if political violence escalates, saying the army might have to deploy troops to control the situation.

"Martial law is the highest level of measures to ensure security. I believe the armed forces have prepared measures to enforce it," Surapong said.

Surapong was speaking to reporters at the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order. He said he would continue to work as the CAPO adviser until the order for him to be removed from the post is announced in the Royal Gazette.

He said he would like to thank the Army chief for issuing a statement Thursday to warn political opponents to behave or the Army might have to deploy a full force of troops to keep security.

Surapong said he would like the Army chief to take action against leaders of the People's Democratic Reform Committee, adding that troops are also officers who could make arrests.

He said the government's opponents would like to encourage the military leaders to stage a coup but the top brass has made it clear that it would not seize power.

"But they may control the situation to prevent violence by declaring martial law, which is not a coup," Surapong said.

"If martial law is declared, the military will run the operation to maintain security and the CAPO will not get involved. And I believe that if the martial law is declared nationwide, the election can be held."


-- The Nation 2014-05-16

[pookiki]

Martial law and then elections???? Must be hanging out with Chalerm!

[fab4]

Martial law and then elections???? Must be hanging out with Chalerm!

Must be harking back to the last time a vote was held under martial law - the referendum to endorse the military Junta written constitution. That went well

[dinom]

Warning: if he likes the idea of martial law Mr. T. likes it. So it should NEVER happen.

[Scamper]

Surapong - back again, irrepressibly speaking from the hip - without talking to anyone - the military included. He has taken a statement of Prayuth where he said that the army could intervene if violence erupts - and twisted it to say that an election could be held under martial law. So - to put this in historical perspective - the February 2 election was the first time an election has ever been conducted with an Emergency Decree in place. But Surapong wants to take it one step further - he wants an election that takes place during martial law - something that perhaps Robert Mugabe would consider - but scarce anyone else. Again, Surapong completely speaking out of his own bat ( in far more ways than one ). Prayuth must be furious.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Scamper

[h90]

Surapongs opinion should have less importance than Somchai the taxi drivers opinion, since he was ousted for abuse of power.

Declaring martial law wouldn't fix anything. Only the violent enforcement of it would fix something and I don't believe that soldiers will violently remove elderly women from the polling stations in the south so some PTP can get MP with 18 votes (like in NST) as everyone else just don't go to the polling stations.

I don't think Thaksin can pay Prayuth and the top brass enough money that this can happen.

[winstonc]

Surapong - back again, irrepressibly speaking from the hip - without talking to anyone - the military included. He has taken a statement of Prayuth where he said that the army could intervene if violence erupts - and twisted it to say that an election could be held under martial law. So - to put this in historical perspective - the February 2 election was the first time an election has ever been conducted with an Emergency Decree in place. But Surapong wants to take it one step further - he wants an election that takes place during martial law - something that perhaps Robert Mugabe would consider - but scarce anyone else. Again, Surapong completely speaking out of his own bat ( in far more ways than one ). Prayuth must be furious.

i doubt prayuth would take any notice of this tw-t...does anyone..seriously

[buhi]

"BANGKOK: -- United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship chairman Jatuporn Promphan hit back at Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha’s seven-point statement issued on Thursday.

He said that the military had no responsibility whatsoever to resolve the political conflict but to defend the country and that the role to resolve the conflict rests with the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order.

In response to the army chief’s warning the use of war weapons against the protesters by unidentified elements, Jatuporn said he wondered whether the army chief was preparing to impose martial law."

Surapong wants martial law.

A split in the ranks?

I suspect cousin speaks for Thaksin and Jatuporn was not informed.

[Dogmatix]

The only way widespread martial law is going to happen is after a military coup Suraphong. Be careful what you wish for.

It would be better if the media agreed to stop distributing any further asinine comments from this idiot.

[siampolee]

How strange that a once vocal opponent of the idea of military involvement and martial law suddenly decides to support the idea, one wonders what Thaksin Shinwatra along with his Red Shirt buddies may think about the matter if of course they are capable of actually using an independent thought process ?

"If martial law is declared, the military will run the operation to maintain security and the CAPO will not get involved. And I believe that if the martial law is declared nationwide, the election can be held."

Here we see the devil in the detail a frantic attempt to get the Shinwatra clique back into the driving seat of the train of corruption, nepotism along with self gratification, politically, business wise and financially whilst heading to the terminus station of Shinwatra dictatorship.

Going to be very interesting to see how our rabid Shinwatra and Red Shirt posters put the spin on this comment and suggestion from Surapong.

Indeed a total 360 degree turn of direction, methinks certain posters will indeed be suffering from extreme ongoing attacks of vertigo courtesy of Surapong.

Edited May 16, 2014 by siampolee

[rubl]

Martial law and then elections???? Must be hanging out with Chalerm!

Must be harking back to the last time a vote was held under martial law - the referendum to endorse the military Junta written constitution. That went well

Was Martial Law still in effect? I thought it had been dropped when the Junta appointed Surayut government started their work.

[jennywren]

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

Only because you have nothing intelligent to say on the matter

Goaded the Army well with that one. In case you can't read between lines it says.

Go on then, take over the security from us. Then let the blame for the ongoing anarchy from the PDRC fall squarely (and EVEN more publically) where it belongs. IE the army and the Elites.

Suthep needs to know, that its one thing for the Ball (power) to be given to him by the Courts, it's quite another thing for him to run with it, score with it or hang onto it for very long without a lot of men with guns.

It is well past time that the Army should be called out for encouraging and keeping Sutheps mob going well past the time they should have been rounded up and jailed for life.

Much as they say they are not couping, they were quick to get involved when they thought the violence of Sutheps mob might be matched by violence from the other party.... the party with the real grievences I might add

Edited May 16, 2014 by jennywren

[rubl]

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

Only because you have nothing intelligent to say on the matter

Goaded the Army well with that one. In case you can't read between lines it says.

Go on then, take over the security from us. Then let the blame for the ongoing anarchy from the PDRC fall squarely (and EVEN more publically) where it belongs. IE the army and the Elites.

Suthep needs to know, that its one thing for the Ball (power) to be given to him by the Courts, it's quite another thing for him to run with it, score with it or hang onto it for very long without a lot of men with guns.

Goading? Are we still convinced that the CAPO and it's chief advisor are straight, serious, dedicated people who want peace and order?

[jennywren]

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

Only because you have nothing intelligent to say on the matter

Goaded the Army well with that one. In case you can't read between lines it says.

Go on then, take over the security from us. Then let the blame for the ongoing anarchy from the PDRC fall squarely (and EVEN more publically) where it belongs. IE the army and the Elites.

Suthep needs to know, that its one thing for the Ball (power) to be given to him by the Courts, it's quite another thing for him to run with it, score with it or hang onto it for very long without a lot of men with guns.

Goading? Are we still convinced that the CAPO and it's chief advisor are straight, serious, dedicated people who want peace and order?

Still convinced, as is world opinion... that the Army is standing in the way of the fascist being called to heal.

Up to them. They (army) want Suthep on the street, let them declare martial law so we can call them to account when people are beaten to death, roads closed and buildings invaded.

Think any other army in the world would have allowed a mob to drive pickups through police lines and enter an Airfoce base. every last one of them would have been shot dead for trying it in the majority of countries around the world.

[virtualtraveller]

Election at all costs. Peua Thai's single suggestion to end this crisis is an election that the others will boycott if there isn't any agreement on reform before hand. Now he wants to the army to enforce it. Come on, come up with something more constructive.

[rubl]

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

Only because you have nothing intelligent to say on the matter

Goaded the Army well with that one. In case you can't read between lines it says.

Go on then, take over the security from us. Then let the blame for the ongoing anarchy from the PDRC fall squarely (and EVEN more publically) where it belongs. IE the army and the Elites.

Suthep needs to know, that its one thing for the Ball (power) to be given to him by the Courts, it's quite another thing for him to run with it, score with it or hang onto it for very long without a lot of men with guns.

Goading? Are we still convinced that the CAPO and it's chief advisor are straight, serious, dedicated people who want peace and order?

Still convinced, as is world opinion... that the Army is standing in the way of the fascist being called to heal.

Up to them. They (army) want Suthep on the street, let them declare martial law so we can call them to account when people are beaten to death, roads closed and buildings invaded.

Think any other army in the world would have allowed a mob to drive pickups through police lines and enter an Airfoce base. every last one of them would have been shot dead for trying it in the majority of countries around the world.

Last time the army did that they were condemned by many here apart from their political bosses being charged with premeditated murder as private citizen.

BTW is Ms. Yingluck still acting caretaker Minister of Defense?

[webfact]

CAPO chief-advisor supports martial law

BANGKOK, 16 May 2014 (NNT) - The Center for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO)’s chief-advisor Surapong Tovichakchaikul has leaned towards the Army's idea to declare martial law in order to prevent a civil war.

Mr. Surapong stated that should the political violence escalate beyond CAPO’s control, then the Army could enforce martial law, as it is different from a coup d’etat. He said that the CAPO would be monitoring the political situation closely, especially from May 17th to 19th during which the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is planning to stage another mass rally.

Regarding the designation of a new prime minister based on Section 7 of the Constitution in order to form an interim government, Mr. Surapong said that the move was considered illegal as the law does not directly authorize the appointment of a new prime minister.

The CAPO chief-advisor is ready to sue the nine judges of the Constitution Court after they removed him from his post as foreign affairs minister following their verdict to impeach Ms. Yingluck as prime minister. In addition, Mr. Surapong would also file a lawsuit against the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for dereliction of duty on May 19th.

-- NNT 2014-05-16

[Elmer Gantry]

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

It's childrens hour on tv,they're watching Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

[rixalex]

Think any other army in the world would have allowed a mob to drive pickups through police lines and enter an Airfoce base. every last one of them would have been shot dead for trying it in the majority of countries around the world.

And of course from the other side of the mouth, the argument will be that authorities were culpable of murder back in 2010 when the capital city was taken hostage and set ablaze, and that Abhisit and Suthep should be locked up as murderers.

[Elmer Gantry]

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

Only because you have nothing intelligent to say on the matter

Goaded the Army well with that one. In case you can't read between lines it says.

Go on then, take over the security from us. Then let the blame for the ongoing anarchy from the PDRC fall squarely (and EVEN more publically) where it belongs. IE the army and the Elites.

Suthep needs to know, that its one thing for the Ball (power) to be given to him by the Courts, it's quite another thing for him to run with it, score with it or hang onto it for very long without a lot of men with guns.

It is well past time that the Army should be called out for encouraging and keeping Sutheps mob going well past the time they should have been rounded up and jailed for life.

Much as they say they are not couping, they were quick to get involved when they thought the violence of Sutheps mob might be matched by violence from the other party.... the party with the real grievences I might add

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on this one as obviously it must be that time of the month.

[Elmer Gantry]

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

Only because you have nothing intelligent to say on the matter

Goaded the Army well with that one. In case you can't read between lines it says.

Go on then, take over the security from us. Then let the blame for the ongoing anarchy from the PDRC fall squarely (and EVEN more publically) where it belongs. IE the army and the Elites.

Suthep needs to know, that its one thing for the Ball (power) to be given to him by the Courts, it's quite another thing for him to run with it, score with it or hang onto it for very long without a lot of men with guns.

Goading? Are we still convinced that the CAPO and it's chief advisor are straight, serious, dedicated people who want peace and order?

Still convinced, as is world opinion... that the Army is standing in the way of the fascist being called to heal.

Up to them. They (army) want Suthep on the street, let them declare martial law so we can call them to account when people are beaten to death, roads closed and buildings invaded.

Think any other army in the world would have allowed a mob to drive pickups through police lines and enter an Airfoce base. every last one of them would have been shot dead for trying it in the majority of countries around the world.

Not in a civilised country where the army are trained professionals.You must have spent a lot of time in lawless counties to come up with that staement.

[rubl]

"He said that the CAPO would be monitoring the political situation closely, especially from May 17th to 19th during which the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is planning to stage another mass rally."

Somehow forgotten is the UDD who will step up their rally at Uttayan Rd. to coincide with the one from the PDRC. Jatuporn said the three-day period would be an important battle

[Thait Spot]

I thought I saw him at Khao San selling replica passports to the Chinese

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Arjay]

Might well be the only solution now but, will surely invite international condemnation as well as sympathy propaganda for the redshirts.

[RockyBeerbelly]

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

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

Only because you have nothing intelligent to say on the matter

Goaded the Army well with that one. In case you can't read between lines it says.

Go on then, take over the security from us. Then let the blame for the ongoing anarchy from the PDRC fall squarely (and EVEN more publically) where it belongs. IE the army and the Elites.

Suthep needs to know, that its one thing for the Ball (power) to be given to him by the Courts, it's quite another thing for him to run with it, score with it or hang onto it for very long without a lot of men with guns.

Goading? Are we still convinced that the CAPO and it's chief advisor are straight, serious, dedicated people who want peace and order?

Still convinced, as is world opinion... that the Army is standing in the way of the fascist being called to heal.

Up to them. They (army) want Suthep on the street, let them declare martial law so we can call them to account when people are beaten to death, roads closed and buildings invaded.

Think any other army in the world would have allowed a mob to drive pickups through police lines and enter an Airfoce base. every last one of them would have been shot dead for trying it in the majority of countries around the world.

I wonder what world opinion you are referring to when you say that the CAPO (Chalerm) is straight? For a local opinion you might check what the son of late police police sgt Rotwimud thinks about the straightness of Chalerm.

[rebelplatoon]

The guy is a joke. Prayuth clearly spoke because of the violence mainly (but not solely) encountered by PDRC protestors. And the simultanious rallies anounced.

Nothing about direct elections and certainly not when sides have not agreed on a proper set of election rules.

[rebelplatoon]

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

It's childrens hour on tv,they're watching Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

Not fair. Those are not fairytales. . .

[max72]

Surapongs opinion should have less importance than Somchai the taxi drivers opinion, since he was ousted for abuse of power.

Declaring martial law wouldn't fix anything. Only the violent enforcement of it would fix something and I don't believe that soldiers will violently remove elderly women from the polling stations in the south so some PTP can get MP with 18 votes (like in NST) as everyone else just don't go to the polling stations.

I don't think Thaksin can pay Prayuth and the top brass enough money that this can happen.

No, he can't pay more than the elite. The elite of 22 families running Thailand for almost a century has about 100 billion USD altogether compared to the mere 2 billion of the "poor" Shinawatra family.

Edited May 16, 2014 by max72

[rubl]

Surapongs opinion should have less importance than Somchai the taxi drivers opinion, since he was ousted for abuse of power.

Declaring martial law wouldn't fix anything. Only the violent enforcement of it would fix something and I don't believe that soldiers will violently remove elderly women from the polling stations in the south so some PTP can get MP with 18 votes (like in NST) as everyone else just don't go to the polling stations.

I don't think Thaksin can pay Prayuth and the top brass enough money that this can happen.

No, he can't pay more than the elite. The elite of 22 families running Thailand for almost a century has about 100 billion USD altogether compared to the mere 2 billion of the "poor" Shinawatra family.

I think you include the First Family who's billions are for a larger part in state property like palaces, etc. Same in other countries.

[fab4]

I'm waiting for Fabby, Codger, Bruce and Prbkk or whoever to chime in...

Well we can always rely on you so why should we bother?