Military's decisive mood at stalled talks led to seizure

[Lite Beer]

Military's decisive mood at stalled talks led to seizure
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Second Deputy Senate Speaker Peerasak Porchit sensed something unusual when he attended the second round of talks on Thursday between seven parties on how to resolve the country's political deadlock with Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The military invited the political stakeholders for talks, then detained participants at the meeting when no progress was made.

Representatives from the then ruling Pheu Thai Party, from the now-deposed government, the Democrat Party, the pro-Pheu Thai United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship [uDD], the anti-Thaksin People's Democratic Reform Committee [PDRC], Senate and the Election Commission [EC] attended the meeting.

Participants were not allowed to bring communication devices inside and were also searched for weapons with metal detectors, Peerasak told The Nation.

Once inside, the Army chief addressed the feuding parties grimly, telling them he wanted an end to the impasse within that day [Thursday].

"People cannot wait. I ask all of you to come up with a solution today," Peerasak quoted Prayuth as saying.

After his remarks, the stakeholders made their various pitches. Democrat representative Abhisit Vejjajiva called for the then caretaker government to resign, which they refused.

With no sign of a breakthrough apparent, Prayuth asked the groups from the five political parties to hold separate meetings in small rooms.

In the first room, representatives of the UDD met with counterparts from the PDRC. In the second room, Pheu Thai debated with the Democrats. The third room housed members of the then-government. The fourth room, meanwhile, played host to a meeting of Armed Forces commanders.

The sub-meetings went on for 40 minutes, after which representatives returned to the main room. Suddenly, UDD leader Jatuporn Promphan took PDRC's Suthep Thaugsuban by the hand to meet Prayuth.

After that, Prayuth asked then caretaker Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri, who led the government representatives at the meeting, whether the government would resign. Chaikasem told Prayuth that "as of this minute, the government will not resign", according to a source.

"Then, as of this minute, I have decided to seize power," the source quoted Prayuth as replying.

Prayuth then stood up and asked the senators and EC members to leave the room before soldiers detained the rest.

"I'm not shocked because I expected the military to break the deadlock," said Peerasak.

"When the military steps in, it wants a quick solution. It doesn't want to see a third or fourth round [of talks]."

From his perspective, Peerasak said the UDD representatives made major concessions just before the talks were ended.

"The red leaders said that they would do whatever they could [to restore peace] while retaining their principles," Peerasak recounted.

According to Peerasak, the EC stated that the earliest they can hold an election would be October or some time in the next one or two years. He added that the military was clear that it did not want an election in a divided society.

-- The Nation 2014-05-24

[NongKhaiKid]

Jatuporn ans Suthep hand in hand, now that would be quite a sight.

[LuckyLew]

Good for the military

IMO opinion they were pretty prepared for the meet5ings being a waste of time and they seemed to have things pretty well planned and organized for the coup. Seems pretty smooth so far.

[NongKhaiKid]

The way the article reads and making allowances for journalism and accuracy it would suggest Prayuth wasn't really interest in accord and was all set to take over.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Jatuporn ans Suthep hand in hand and sideline the Shin clan would be a solution for the country.

[Thait Spot]

Jatuporn ans Suthep hand in hand, now that would be quite a sight.

I bet they both counted their fingers after

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[michaelscottfan]

God The Nation is the most pathetic propagandist I've ever seen, they'd make Chinese state media blush.

Yes, the talks were "Stalled"..... after two days of talks. This isn't House of Cards, people know that what was happening with the talks as just for show and the military did a poor job of covering that fact up with being so quick to seize power for themselves.

[The stuttering parrot]

The shin clan will never be sidelined and that's a fact!

For all the yellows on here they kept saying she will flee the country time after time we'll she is still here and actually fronted up to the army .

She's has handled the last 6 months with dignity and grace under extreme pressure and was removed by a bogus decision of the courts.

Don't be surprised if you see her standing at the next elections as she was voted in by the second biggest margin in thai history only one better was her brother.

So the shin will be on the political map for a long time to come!

[Acharn]

The shin clan will never be sidelined and that's a fact!

For all the yellows on here they kept saying she will flee the country time after time we'll she is still here and actually fronted up to the army .

She's has handled the last 6 months with dignity and grace under extreme pressure and was removed by a bogus decision of the courts.

Don't be surprised if you see her standing at the next elections as she was voted in by the second biggest margin in thai history only one better was her brother.

So the shin will be on the political map for a long time to come!

I think it depends on just how ruthless Prayuth and his backers are. I think his two goals, "remove and eradicate Shinawatra influence" and "avoid bloodshed" are incompatible. I have no idea what is going to happen -- historically Thai coups have few casualties because they are struggles between factions of the elite. I think the only way to "eradicate" Shin influence is something more like dynastic change in the Ottoman Empire or Imperial China. The Empress Wi comes to mind. Or Ngo Dinh Diem.

Edited May 24, 2014 by Acharn

[Siripon]

The shin clan will never be sidelined and that's a fact!

For all the yellows on here they kept saying she will flee the country time after time we'll she is still here and actually fronted up to the army .

She's has handled the last 6 months with dignity and grace under extreme pressure and was removed by a bogus decision of the courts.

Don't be surprised if you see her standing at the next elections as she was voted in by the second biggest margin in thai history only one better was her brother.

So the shin will be on the political map for a long time to come!

Don't be surprised to see her facing a jail sentence for gross negligence regarding the rice scheme's losses.

Admit the truth, she is beautiful, polite and charming towards children but she's a poor public speaker with a minimum or no knowledge of the facts regarding the issue in hand.

Utterly unsuitable to be PM.

[Piichai]

The shin clan will never be sidelined and that's a fact!

For all the yellows on here they kept saying she will flee the country time after time we'll she is still here and actually fronted up to the army .

She's has handled the last 6 months with dignity and grace under extreme pressure and was removed by a bogus decision of the courts.

Don't be surprised if you see her standing at the next elections as she was voted in by the second biggest margin in thai history only one better was her brother.

So the shin will be on the political map for a long time to come!

Considering the possibility of incarceration and a ban from politics in her future, it's probably not a good idea to rely on Yingluck too much.

[rabas]

The shin clan will never be sidelined and that's a fact!

For all the yellows on here they kept saying she will flee the country time after time we'll she is still here and actually fronted up to the army .

She's has handled the last 6 months with dignity and grace under extreme pressure and was removed by a bogus decision of the courts.

Don't be surprised if you see her standing at the next elections as she was voted in by the second biggest margin in thai history only one better was her brother.

So the shin will be on the political map for a long time to come!

I think it depends on just how ruthless Prayuth and his backers are. I think his two goals, "remove and eradicate Shinawatra influence" and "avoid bloodshed" are incompatible. I have no idea what is going to happen -- historically Thai coups have few casualties because they are struggles between factions of the elite. I think the only way to "eradicate" Shin influence is something more like dynastic change in the Ottoman Empire or Imperial China. The Empress Wi comes to mind. Or Ngo Dinh Diem.

Paying the farmers is going to eradicate a whole lot of "Shin influence". Put down your story book.

[craigt3365]

A post referencing the monarchy has been removed from view and a member has received an official warning. Please NO posts about the monarchy during these turbulent times.

[Blindside]

The way the article reads and making allowances for journalism and accuracy it would suggest Prayuth wasn't really interest in accord and was all set to take over.

Military takeover is no solution really. However probably the lesser of 5 or 6 evils at the moment. No-one in this has clean hands, very few / none speak with a any real integrity.

One of the few institutions in this country that could organise a semi decent p*ss up in a brewery is the military. It would be amiss of a military man not to have a plan B. Unlike most of the politicians in this country!

If they had come to an amicable way forward (doubt solution in this amount of time) I do not think it would be a given that Prayuth would have seized control. Maybe I am naive?

Also, as a military man formenting a coup - whoever gives it support - he puts himself in line for a treason trial or extra-judicial killing sometime in the future. While I doubt that this will happen in this case, it must be something in the back of his mind. Along with civil strife / war and a low-level insurrection aimed at elite targets in BKK.

So long story short, I think he was all set to take over - However I think he was more interested in the accord than some believe.

[Thakkar]

God The Nation is the most pathetic propagandist I've ever seen, they'd make Chinese state media blush.

Yes, the talks were "Stalled"..... after two days of talks. This isn't House of Cards, people know that what was happening with the talks as just for show and the military did a poor job of covering that fact up with being so quick to seize power for themselves.

"Let's not give them TOO much time, or they might actually agree on some things."

Whatever agreement would have been a shaky one based on unpalatable compromises. But that's politics for you, and the military wanted a neat solution. I don't see that there are any neat solutions that don't involve some serious give and take from all sides. A militarily imposed solution would be just as shaky as an unhappy compromise.

Let's hope I'm wrong. The people of Thailand deserve better than what they've gotten so far.

T

[huanga]

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The shin clan will never be sidelined and that's a fact!

For all the yellows on here they kept saying she will flee the country time after time we'll she is still here and actually fronted up to the army .

She's has handled the last 6 months with dignity and grace under extreme pressure and was removed by a bogus decision of the courts.
Don't be surprised if you see her standing at the next elections as she was voted in by the second biggest margin in thai history only one better was her brother.

So the shin will be on the political map for a long time to come!

I believe you will keep stuttering on! Soon you will find that Yingluck will be jailed for her role in the rice scam. Do not forget that Prayuth is on the same page to rid of Toxin Shinawattra's influence in Thai politics! Why do you think that Prayuth summoned all Toxin's clans? He, a man of not so many words, is probably asking them or rather, giving them the ultimatum - get out of Thai politics or else! Did you read the article that Toxin replied yesterday, in order for the Shin family to be out of Thai politics, an all out amnesty (probably means to return all the money back to him) must be agreed by the opposition. I believe Prayuth will not take that offer!

[rebelplatoon]

To stay on topic: Interesting to hear what happened behind the scenes. Rare thing they reveal it. Sounds like a naughty boys club to me.

Master did not approve. Master saw no progress. Master put the naughty boys in the corner. Master took control of the club to stop the nonsense.

Our politicians failed. They could not envision a way to bridge the divide. Now it is being (reluctantly) done for them.

[daveAustin]

Very well played by the military. Whether or not it was all a ruse to get them all together, where they could be detained easily and thus make it easier to disperse the protesters etc, you have to hand it to them. What's happened is a necessary evil and all those foreign powers decrying it can go and swivel!

[FangFerang]

God The Nation is the most pathetic propagandist I've ever seen, they'd make Chinese state media blush.

Yes, the talks were "Stalled"..... after two days of talks. This isn't House of Cards, people know that what was happening with the talks as just for show and the military did a poor job of covering that fact up with being so quick to seize power for themselves.

"Let's not give them TOO much time, or they might actually agree on some things."

Whatever agreement would have been a shaky one based on unpalatable compromises. But that's politics for you, and the military wanted a neat solution. I don't see that there are any neat solutions that don't involve some serious give and take from all sides. A militarily imposed solution would be just as shaky as an unhappy compromise.

Let's hope I'm wrong. The people of Thailand deserve better than what they've gotten so far.

T

I actually think there is a simple solution, one that many countries have in place. Large expenditures, such as the infrastructure expenditure and rice pledging, should require a super-majority in Parliament, as well as Charter amendments and midnight amnesty bill legislation. It would permanently curb the dogs on both sides and force compromise.

But that's not the reform politicians want -- they want no reforms that curb their power once they have the reins.

The reforms I expect will be redistricting so that the pro-Democrats have more votes than the other side. It won't solve anything either. It will be reforms that cause unrest. Rather short-sighted, I know, but 'free world leaders' all can only see as far as the next election....worldwide.

[daveAustin]

The shin clan will never be sidelined and that's a fact!

For all the yellows on here they kept saying she will flee the country time after time we'll she is still here and actually fronted up to the army .

She's has handled the last 6 months with dignity and grace under extreme pressure and was removed by a bogus decision of the courts.

Don't be surprised if you see her standing at the next elections as she was voted in by the second biggest margin in thai history only one better was her brother.

So the shin will be on the political map for a long time to come!

Of course she's still here, she has property, family etc, and was not staring down a prison sentence like her brother was. So what's the big deal in not fleeing?

The way she handled things, as she always has, is more a case of ineptness and the 'big win' was all about the promises made and bahts paid... c'mon, we all know that!

I agree on the first and last; they will still be around, but do you think this is a good thing for Thailand. I think not.

[Fat Haggis]

so much for the poster who claimed in another thread yesterday an "inside source" told him the General Blew his top as the phone calls were being made to Thaksin all the time....

[drand11]

1 day of talks..and he expected to have a resolution? He's either a crappy negotiator, a weak man, or, as we all truly know, he intended to do the Coup all the while. He just wanted to "Ease" into it by first having the Security plan implemented. All of you Thais that are happy... I have one thing to say:

A man tries to climb a mountain, but finds himself going in a circles, returning to the start point. He can not get to the top.

He continues, for 100 years to go down the same path, and continues to return to the same starting point.

Thailand, who is the fool?

[casualbiker]

The way the article reads and making allowances for journalism and accuracy it would suggest Prayuth wasn't really interest in accord and was all set to take over.

He told them on the first day that they had better come up with an agreement on the 2nd day.. They didn't!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[drand11]

A man tries to climb a mountain, but finds himself going in a circles, returning to the start point. He can not get to the top.

He continues, for 100 years to go down the same path, and continues to return to the same starting point.

Thailand, who is the fool?

Thai Military is simply a part of this cycle. They allow the minority PDRC/Dems/Elite to protest, shut down goverment, and then, justify the military (The minority best friends and supporters) to step in. This is so obvious, it is amazing that Thai's allow it to happen year after year.

[Scamper]

Everything was clearly thought out well in advance by Prayuth. He also likely knew that a breaking of the impasse was not possible, and he decided to act decisively. He did, and the control he took was immediate. He had witnessed seven months of foot-dragging. There clearly is no foot-dragging now. By promising to make a swift and full payment to the farmers within 20 days as his very first priority, Prayuth has not only addressed the key social issue that had engaged the country, but he has also undercut Thaksin's core constituency. Distancing the country from Thaksin therefore is happening in ways both direct and indirect.

[Anon999]

God The Nation is the most pathetic propagandist I've ever seen, they'd make Chinese state media blush.

Yes, the talks were "Stalled"..... after two days of talks. This isn't House of Cards, people know that what was happening with the talks as just for show and the military did a poor job of covering that fact up with being so quick to seize power for themselves.

Your knowledge of the military is obviously non existent. They do not go into a situation unprepared for all possible outcomes. Therefore as the meeting failed to come up with a solution as required, on the day, then Plan B was implemented. The protagonists could go on talking until Kingdom Come, given the opportunity, however, that option was not on the agenda but they thought the general would play along for a while and were proven to be very wrong.

[Anon999]

A man tries to climb a mountain, but finds himself going in a circles, returning to the start point. He can not get to the top.

He continues, for 100 years to go down the same path, and continues to return to the same starting point.

Thailand, who is the fool?

Thai Military is simply a part of this cycle. They allow the minority PDRC/Dems/Elite to protest, shut down goverment, and then, justify the military (The minority best friends and supporters) to step in. This is so obvious, it is amazing that Thai's allow it to happen year after year.

A not very well put load of dross. The Thai people are permitted to demonstrate and it was endorsed by the court, however, in your book that is not permissible. Please provide your source for "the minority PDRC/Dems/Elite to protest" and "the military (The minority best friends and supporters) to step in"

[drand11]

Lets all be real. The PDRC/Dems and Military are in one hand. They are one. Do you really think the Military wanted the PDRC to negotiate? NO. This has been a sham from day 1. The Military supports the PDRC. PDRC wanted a Coup. If you do not believe me, ask Mr. Suthep. He has made this clear many many times. So how in the world would there be a negotiation when the Minority is being supported by the Miltiary? Hence, this is the Thai Dilemna for the past 30+ years!!

The system is rigged. They allow an election to be included amongst the so called "Democratic Nations" , but the Minority & Military have a deal to continue to bring down the Goverment. 12+ Coups over 90 years kinda explains it all!!

[drand11]

A man tries to climb a mountain, but finds himself going in a circles, returning to the start point. He can not get to the top.

He continues, for 100 years to go down the same path, and continues to return to the same starting point.

Thailand, who is the fool?

Thai Military is simply a part of this cycle. They allow the minority PDRC/Dems/Elite to protest, shut down goverment, and then, justify the military (The minority best friends and supporters) to step in. This is so obvious, it is amazing that Thai's allow it to happen year after year.

A not very well put load of dross. The Thai people are permitted to demonstrate and it was endorsed by the court, however, in your book that is not permissible. Please provide your source for "the minority PDRC/Dems/Elite to protest" and "the military (The minority best friends and supporters) to step in"

First, the COUP is the one limiting protest. "No gathering greater than 5 people" law.

I did not say that the Constitution doesn't allow it, but then again, today, there is not constitutional law in Thialand.

Tell me, is this not an endless cycle over 90 yrs? Well of course it is.

Tell me, is the Miltary not a supporter of the Dems/PDRC?

Did PDRC not want a Coup? Of course they did..Suthep made this very clear. Suthep asked the miltary for a Coup. this is all part of the game. Dems ask for Coup, Miltary says "No no.."...but.. of course, instead of providing security to maintain the constittution, the military provides a Coup to "Reward" the Dems/PDRC.

If you can't see this, then I'm sorry...this is why I say:

A man tries to climb a mountain, but finds himself going in a circles, returning to the start point. He can not get to the top. He continues, for 100 years to go down the same path, and continues to return to the same starting point. Thailand, who is the fool?

[davidstipek]

Military is now realizing that when someone stalls (saying they need to think about subject a little) it not suppose to take Days.. Months.. Years.. As is Thai way to forget and go to something new... It should if you are Educated, or have working Brain take 15-30 minutes at longest to decide!

Stalling Means to slow down, to balk at something, to wait.. It does not mean to forget, act like subject dropped... changed... to get around. Thailand needs to update their Dictionary so the have clearer comprehenion of what is being interpeted by their actions.

Military has Clear Understanding and has implemented their Interpetation Very Well!!! 5 Gold Stars!!!