Will Thaksin's Forces Fight Back With Air Support?

[nokia]

Fewer tanks in Bangkok as Thai army reduces presence

Fewer tanks patrolled the streets of Bangkok Thursday as the Thai army reduced their presence at key government facilities, but troops were not to be completely withdrawn, an army officer said.

Four tanks remained at Government House early Thursday, compared to about 10 the previous day, and there were fewer armed soldiers on guard, a day and a half after the military seized power in a bloodless coup.

"As of now we have only two companies of troops -- some 50 to 60 - deployed at Government House but total withdrawal is up to the army commander because there is not yet complete trust in the situation," Lieutenant Romklao Thuwatham told AFP.

"The army chief is very concerned over security," he said, referring to Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the leader of the coup. "If any small incident occurred, it could lead to violence, but soldiers will try to be relaxed."

Tanks deployed along the main avenue leading to army headquarters and other ministries in central Bangkok were withdrawn late Wednesday, ahead of the first full regular working day since the putsch.

Sources said the Military Council for Political Reform, as the generals are calling themselves, were not fully at ease because some of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's key ministers were gathering at air force bases.

The group included Defense Minister General Thammarak Issarangkura Na Ayutthaya, Air Chief Marshall Kongsak Vantana and Police General Jumpol Manmai, who is the head of the National Intelligence Agency.

Agence France-Presse

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30014240

[tom yum goong]

surely not?

[nokia]

surely not?

never know, it's not over until it's over. Thaksin is quite resourceful and he got nothing to lose since his family is overseas. It will take a few weeks to see if he's really living in exile in London or whether he has a counter coup backup-plan.

[midas]

I truly hope there is nothing to all the speculation of a Toxin counter coup

I don't think I will ever understand human nature

When will he ever decide to call it a day ?

In any case after cancelling his speech on Tuesday

at the United Nations general assembly, surely

he would never be looked on in the same way

ever again in the eyes of the other world leaders ?

Or is it that he needs more than a billion ?

For Christ sake Toxin, just enjoy what you

already have and what you achieved and leave Thailand

alone to heal itself

[Jai Dee]

Pure speculation and hype by the media I think... the Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Chalit Pookpasuk is the second deputy chief of ARC.

See this announcement by the ARC.

[Sing_Sling]

Pure speculation and hype by the media I think... the Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Chalit Pookpasuk is the second deputy chief of ARC.

See this announcement by the ARC.

Added to which, what and where would he bomb? Bangkok?

Air Force - nice to have.

Army - necessary.

With the King's apparent backing do you think anyone would oppose the currect system?

[Huckenfell]

surely not?

never know, it's not over until it's over. Thaksin is quite resourceful and he got nothing to lose since his family is overseas. It will take a few weeks to see if he's really living in exile in London or whether he has a counter coup backup-plan.

Is there any chance that the Coup leaders will hand everything over to the PAD mob ? and what are they saying about all this.

[Insight]

surely not?

never know, it's not over until it's over. Thaksin is quite resourceful and he got nothing to lose since his family is overseas. It will take a few weeks to see if he's really living in exile in London or whether he has a counter coup backup-plan.

Is there any chance that the Coup leaders will hand everything over to the PAD mob ? and what are they saying about all this.

Job done, mission accomplished.

[Farma]

never know, it's not over until it's over. Thaksin is quite resourceful and he got nothing to lose since his family is overseas. It will take a few weeks to see if he's really living in exile in London or whether he has a counter coup backup-plan.

Sky news were reporting an AP story just before quoting Taksin as saying he was taking a “deserved rest” and he wished Thailand would have free and democratic elections soon.

[HeikoJT]

No chance.

Its all over since the King has given the military leaders his consentment for a provisional solution.

[robint]

air force???

they havent got any aircraft to speak of, have they. i thought they kept on crashing them.

i suspect we will see a lot of changing of sides and ass licking. its the thai way dont you know

there will be some senior people who have made such a public disgrace of themselves that they will have to retire or be publicly fired, or worse. those that sided with the gangster will have to fade away quickly