Commotion about action leader Suthep Thaugsuban's statement that 'the people will demand independent power' and that he will personally ask the king for approval for a new prime minister. Prime Minister Yingluck has been shot in the wing.
“The PDRC [People's Democratic Reform Committee] has to abide by the law. If no one obeys the law and everyone can only form a cabinet or a legislature, the country will not receive international recognition.'
Yingluck, also defense minister, said of the role of the army: 'I suppose the army commander chooses his own position in this. He should be aware of how to fulfill his task. I don't have to ask him. I think he already has an answer ready.'
According to Bangkok Post Yingluck referred to the military's decision to take legal action against a red shirt leader with this response. He had hung a banner in the district of Muang (Bangkok) calling for the separation of the northern provinces and the formation of a separate Lanna state.
An army source does not think it likely that the army will respond to Suthep's statement. “It's just an announcement. At the moment there are no concrete indications that he will follow through with what he has said. When red shirts expressed the wish of secession, the army did not take any action either, because that was only said on action podiums.'
According to him, the case with the banner differs from that, because it is about a tangible action. 'The army considers it its duty to report to the police those who are involved in separatism.'
Red Shirt leader and Secretary of State Nattawut Saikur added fuel to the fire yesterday. “It is important that the army command makes clear whether Suthep has the support of the army when he makes such a statement. The leadership's response has an important effect on the country's political climate. Does the army chief agree with the announced sovereign power? And will he report to Suthep then?'
So much for the main comments from the opening article in today's newspaper, which takes up almost the entire front page. Furthermore, the spokesman of the former government party Pheu Thai, among others, will speak. He says that the party will press charges against Suthep for treason. Some of Thaksin's former classmates from the military academy released a statement calling on the military to state its position on Suthep's statement.
Suthep made his offending remark in response to the cases before the Constitutional Court (transfer of Thawil Pliensri) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (alleged negligence of Yingluck). The Court will rule after Songkran, the NACC later. In the worst case scenario, the government falls. Suthep wants to fill the political vacuum that will arise with a neutral interim prime minister and a Volksraad, which will work on political reforms.
Academics call Suthep's plan "absurd." They also warn that threats from pro-government groups to take action after Songkran increase the risk of bloodshed. More on this later today in News from Thailand.
(Source: Bangkok Post, Apr 9, 2014)
Photos: Military parade yesterday on the occasion of the 127th anniversary of the Ministry of Defense.
Does “Mister” Suthep want Thailand completely destroyed? Come on, people have already been imprisoned for less in Thailand. Where is Mrs. Yinluck actually on?
Yingluck and her supporters are not at all after Suthep, who is only seen by the red shirts as an extra.