Army Denies Coup Rumours

george · January 4, 2007

Breaking News - Developing story:

Army denies coup rumours

BANGKOK: -- Army chief and Council for National Security head Sonthi Bunyaratglin has flatly denied rumours sweeping the capital Thursday about an impending coup. (Stay tune with this story, which will be constantly updated in the next few hours)

He denied troops moblisation from the Second Army Region base in Nakhon Ratchasima. "There's no such movement," said the leader of the September 19 coup.

He also dismissed speculation that the September 19 coup leaders were about to stage another coup to boost its own power.

Assistant Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda has also denied intense rumours.

He said there would be neither a coup to topple the current interim leadership nor "self-coup" to boost the power of the September 19 coup leaders.

"I can guarantee 1,000 per cent that there would be neither coup," he said, totally denying rumours about troop mobilisation.

First coup rumours came Wednesday night, remarkably following the New Year bomb attacks in Bangkok. The rumours intensified Thursday evening, with 9.30 pm proclaimed to be the time to launch the coup.

At about 8 p.m, Army-run TV 5 denied there had been mobilization of troop against the authorities.

"The army urges the citizen not to believe the rumors and be confident in the our ability to control the situation. By now, the army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin assured the situation is normal," it said.

Another message running the TV5 screen said that the army chief would give an interview with the Siam This Morning program at 6.20 a.m. tomorrow, "please stay tune", it said.

At about 7pm Thursday, Gen Sonthi was exercising inside an Army compound in Kiakkai area while Air Force Commander in Chief Chalit Pukpasuk was playing golf in Chiang Mai.

Earlier, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday citizen should be alert and prepare for a "new threat" to national security after the New Year bombs in Bangkok.

The prime minister said he assigned the Internal Security Operations Command to ensure security in the capital and prevent a repeat of the bomb attacks.

Authorities had made some progress in collecting evidence that could lead to the arrest of culprits, he said.

-- The Nation 2007-01-04

Army chief denies coup rumours

BANGKOK: -- Army chief and Council for National Security chairman Gen Sonthi Bunyaratglin Thursday evening denied rumours that there might be another coup tonight.

These rumours have been spreading like wild fire as people have been using mobile phones to check the news with friends or people they believe might get a clue on the rumours.

A journalist at Bangkok Post said he has so far received many calls from friends to check if the coup rumours could be for real.

Gen Sonthi flatly denied that troops had been mobilised from the Second Army Region base in Nakhon Ratchasima and that tanks had arrived at Sara Buri by the evening . "There's definitely no such movement," he confirmed.

Rumors also have it that the Council of National Security planned to stage another coup to boost their own power. He also flatly denied such speculation while Assistant Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda also denied such rumours.

The army urges the public not to believe such rumors and that the people should believe in the army's ability to control the situation, Gen Sonthi said.

--Bangkok Post 2007-02-04

george · January 4, 2007

PM warns to prepare for new security threats

BANGKOK: -- Speaking to the National Legislation Assembly on Thursday in the wake of the New Year's Eve bombings, Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont warned the kingdom to prepare for more possible similar incidents.

Referring to the "life-threatening events" which took place at the opening of the new year, Gen. Surayud said "I would like to ask everyone in the country to prepare for life-threatening events like this for a while."

Gen. Surayud reaffirmed that the incidents were unrelated to the ongoing insurgency in the southernmost border provinces.

The prime minister said earlier that politicians who had lost privileges and benefits were behind the bomb attacks and the incidents were not connected to the southern violence.

As the government works to build a unified society and to conduct a fair general election, it seeks cooperation from every sector of the public in bringing peace to society and to prevent such incidents from occurring again, Gen. Surayud said.

The prime minister said that intelligence officials believe the Sunday bombings were aimed at creating panic among the public, as well as causing death and damage to property.

"While the incidents may look similar to those in the deep South," Gen. Surayud said, "close investigation of the explosives used and timing mechanisms for the bombs shows no relationship to explosive devices so far used in the South."

"Most of the incidents were caused by ill-intentioned people and those who wanted to create unrest in Bangkok," he reiterated.

Gen. Surayud added that investigators have received information as well as photographs from eyewitnesses at Sunday's scenes.

--TNA 2007-01-04

sibeymai · January 4, 2007

Could be true. Currently having great difficulty accessing web sites outside of Thailand through True.

Wolfie · January 4, 2007

Thailand, the Hub of Coup's!

Totster · January 4, 2007

Could be true. Currently having great difficulty accessing web sites outside of Thailand through True.

So am I as it happens.. means nothingmind considering the state of communications recently !

totster

micman · January 4, 2007

If it does happen, hope it is as nonviolent as the last coup.

sbk · January 4, 2007

First coup rumours came Wednesday night, remarkably following the New Year bomb attacks in Bangkok. The rumours intensified Thursday evening, with 9.30 pm proclaimed to be the time to launch the coup.

Guess we'll know in a half an hour or so.

TAWP · January 4, 2007

Since my post seemed to disappear: One has to ponder: Who started the rumor?

And if there really would be a self-coup, they would effectivly lost every ounce of credability, seeing as it was said '1000%' above. That is only 10 times the maximum value.

JacknDanny · January 4, 2007

If it does happen, hope it is as nonviolent as the last coup.

Dont worry it aint going to happen.

Just another ploy by Thaksins foot soldier Gen' Shave a lot' to create uncertainty and try and discredit the present Govt

bucatini70 · January 4, 2007

i don't know a thing but my wife just phone call from her mother and a friend who live on base and said that troops are emptying out as we speak where and why who knows but they are going someplace and she is already bothering me not to work

Plus · January 4, 2007

People here, in Bangkok, were told to leave work earlier today, they were texting and calling eachother.

Ticker tape on Channel 5 says army is pulling troops all over the place, apparently in reaction to rumors.

Foggy Bottom · January 4, 2007

Anyone else notice on last night's Thai news the story about another "bomb" being found in Bangkok somewhere?

When the Camera zoomed in close on the disarmed device, the markings "M22A2 - Smoke" could be clearly read - it looked very much like a US manufactured 80mm/3" mortar round.

Have the Chronic Intrigue Addicts been stirring things again?

PeaceBlondie · January 4, 2007

Thailand, the Hub of Coup's!

Coming soon to a Thailand near you: The Coup of Hubs!!

p1p · January 4, 2007

Looks like we're returning to the good old '60's & '70's, when the coup was regarded as Thailand's national sport.

astral · January 4, 2007

If it is true, it really will screw the economy..........

george · January 4, 2007

The Nation Update:

CNS to get touch on ill-wished groups : Saprang

BANGKOK: -- Assistant Army chief Gen Saprang Kallayanamitr has revealed Thursday that CNS would tighten grips to get tough on those who have ill wished for the country.

CNS will readjust its strategies as the governmenbt is found too soft on the remnants of the previous regime.

"My boss has been too nice for those who have ill intention for the countryand the people. From now on, we would adjust our stragete and get tough on those people," Saprang said in a radio programme

Army chief and Council for National Security head Sonthi Bunyaratglin has flatly denied rumours sweeping the capital Thursday about an impending coup.