Tuesday, January 14 is an auspicious day for a military coup. So says the astrologer of the protest movement; at least according to a spokesperson for Pheu Thai. The former governing party and the government are watching with great interest what the army will do in the coming days.
Wassana Nanuam, a military affairs reporter at the Bangkok Post, the government is concerned about the prospect of a coup, especially because of the army's radio silence. Rumors of military intervention have also increased after the military announced it would transport tanks, troops, helicopters, artillery and armor to Bangkok. Preparations for a parade on Thai Armed Force Day on January 18, the army says. It is already being practiced (see photo).
But red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan questions that. He wants to know from the army commander whether the weapons are intended for a parade or for a coup. The army reprimands him: Jatuporn should not spread misleading information.
Pheu Thai accuses the protest movement of trying to provoke a military coup through a 'secret plan'. A small violent attack on demonstrators would be staged to provoke a military coup. Action leader Suthep Thaugsuban denies that. “The PDRC [protest movement] is straightforward in its campaign to oust the government. When a coup takes place, it is the result of the government's own blunders.”
Although the army does not completely reject a coup (army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha said about this: 'The military does not shut nor open the door to a coup. Anything can happen, depending on the situation'), it wants at all costs costs to prevent a confrontation between demonstrators and soldiers. The events of 2010 are still fresh in my memory.
The political violence of 2010 proves that the use of force cannot solve conflicts. The army would bear the responsibility for the bloodshed', writes Wassana [or copy Prayuth, that is not clear]. Attributed to Prayuth is the statement: 'The army does not want to use its power to force people to do things. It's not our job to tell the government to resign.'
Monday, January 13, Bangkok Shutdown begins. The protest movement has announced that it will occupy XNUMX intersections in central Bangkok and lay siege to the government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, preventing officials from getting to work. Public transport functions normally.
The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo), which is responsible for security measures, has asked the army to double the committed deployment of twenty companies. Capo thinks all hell breaks loose three hours after the start when protesters clash with people duped by the action. According to Capo, this could be a reason for the army to take action.
(Source: Bangkok Post, January 7, 2014)
It is to be hoped that the police or army will finally arrest Suthep. The man only causes chaos and damage.
Let's not forget that he will never compensate for the damage suffered and already suffered. Also do not forget that the demonstrators mobilized by him – in the end – do not interest him. He is only out for power and does not want to make Thailand a democracy at all. On the contrary: he is out to control the majority as a minority. When he mentions the word democracy/reform, take a good look at his self-satisfied smile………..
I'm already bracing for responses to the above, but won't take a word back. Only elections - no matter how flawed - will bring the much-desired democracy in the long term. People's councils and people's governments will certainly not be able to do that.
As a Farang I don't understand a thing about it but what I do know is that it's all or nothing for that Suthep or for the Thaksin family, whoever loses now disappears for good and this is a very dangerous situation for the Thai nation and his people. Mach, power, power and more power, that's what it's about, I say this with all regret. That Suthep is indeed an ordinary gangster just like that Mr. Thaksin. I feel very sorry for the Thai people with this said.
Dear Teun,
You already indicate that you do not want to be open to other reactions, so I will not do that either, because there is no point.
Using this blog to express your dissatisfaction with no perspective or being open to exchanging opinions doesn't make it nice to read this kind of writing.
If everyone reacted the same way on this blog as you did and did not want to open themselves up to studying the opinions of others, would you still want to read this blog?
Contributing together to a better world, without blame or violence, these are the wishes I wish for you this year.
Greetings from Danny
Danny,
I'm afraid you misunderstood me. I was JUST expecting (lots of) different opinions. I braced myself against that. And as long as they are well substantiated, we can have a discussion. So what are you watching?
I just wanted to make it clear that elections (so not only those of possibly February 2, but probably many subsequent elections) are ultimately the best way to ultimately realize democracy. And democracy, in addition to determining positions, also means consultation and compromise.
Yes, rumors and speculation! Fact: tanks and other weaponry are being collected near Bangkok.
Excuse: show for the kids only. conclusion: also a coincidence! Who's kidding who?
@ diqua In previous years, exactly the same thing happened and then there were no rallies. The army holds Open Day every year on Children's Day.
Dick,
Strictly speaking, you're right. But it is still useful if you already have all the equipment in the city. Under the motto "better than shy".
You see, hear and read that more and more people are struggling with the (prolonged) closure of Bangkok.
Again: elections must go ahead. Too bad for Abhisit cs. but only the voters will determine which party they prefer. In the Netherlands, too, it happens from time to time that voters sometimes vote largely left (PvdA, etc.), the other time center (CDA) and then right again (VVD with others).
And that's where it should go in Thailand, eventually.
The yellows would be wiser to come up with a well-thought-out election program and if it is really good for the majority of the population, they will eventually win elections.
@ Teun It remains a guess, but I have yet to see that the protest movement is able to occupy 20 intersections for a long time. People have to work too. The red shirts also lasted a long time at the Ratchaprasong intersection in 2010, but that was only one location. Now there are 20 plus the government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road. In addition, the protest movement also wants to shut off electricity and water from government buildings and the homes of cabinet members. How many people do you have to mobilize for this? My only concern is: what will the radical branch of the protest movement do: the so-called Network of Students [which I don't see] and People for Reform of Thailand. We've seen what it's capable of before. Those are the hooligans.
Dear Dick, it is of course also a smart move by Suthep: the opponent must now include 21 locations in the city in his deliberations, keep his sights on 21 targets, and distribute troops over 21 locations. Of course, the Yellow Shirts still have to make it happen first, but if they succeed, Suthep will have spread his protest widely and will have the city in his grip on a wider field. It is incomprehensible that this is allowed, and that neither Yingluck nor BKK city council have an answer to it.
I saw on TV that Red Shirts were gathered in Korat. Hopefully they won't have the answer ready. However, if it remains a mutual war of attrition, then I see no reason for the army to intervene. Or should it be that Messrs @Chris and @Hans Geleinse are right? After all, they previously reported that the Thai business world would be tired of all the fuss because of their loss of profit. Therefore, this 1st half of the week, at their instigation (not both gentlemen, of course), the demonstrations would come to an end, let alone the shutdown could become a reality. However, I do not see any reason to assume that there is any progress in this matter. Do you have any news in this direction? Rumors maybe? Thank you for all your thorough work with regard to all news gathering!
Moderator: You are chatting.
Well Teun , at least for me you do not have to brace yourself .
I fully agree with your opinion.
So you have my vote.
In my opinion Suthep is nothing but a very arrogant and elite-sponsored male.
It does not surprise me that this blaze can disrupt an entire country without intervention.
So there are higher regions pulling the strings.
but who then, is the big question????
I have an idea myself , but better keep my mouth shut .
Say here in Thailand, no freedom of expression.
The sooner this person disappears from the political scene the better for this country .
But let us as Dutch and Belgians hope for the best.
I'm still convinced that a Coup, no matter how annoying it is.
At the moment the only conceivable solution is .
And to be honest, Thailand has been through history, not a COUP country.
Eminently .
I have been living here for 9 years now , and when this coup takes shape , I will have made 2 with it .
In all those previous years I am now 61 , I have not experienced one in Holland .
And why , despite here too there are many quarrels in politics .
The Netherlands is a real Democracy , with freedom of expression , among other things .
And I'm afraid you will never be able to experience that in Thailand.
Jan Beute.
Moderator: please don't chat.
Dear Benno
It is not in the nature of the Thai to get angry with politicians or government leaders. I think that we as Dutch people are more concerned about this blog than the 'average' Thai. At least I don't notice it at all with my students. Ok, it will probably cause some discomfort next week, but that will go away on its own. Some hope that traffic is so disrupted that they cannot come to the university. A day or more off. Nice is not it……..
The nodes on the map that the protesters want to occupy are quite easy to avoid if you leave your car at home and use public transport. Perhaps a nice lesson for the Thai who live in the inner city but don't go out without their car.
A military coup is extremely unlikely for several reasons. The big boss (not Prayuth) definitely doesn't want to see fights. He hates corruption, be it red or yellow, white or masked. Prayuth has already communicated that the soldiers who will assist the police next week will only carry a shield and baton and ABSOLUTELY no weapons. In addition, friendly countries (in East and West) have hinted that they will strongly reject any military intervention. And since the Thai economy is increasingly dependent on foreign countries (and the owners of these companies also control the political financially completely), it must be resolved through mediation, talks and reforms.
What matters is who can still recommend going to Bangkok for a week in a hotel and quietly reaching and visiting all the tourist spots... I'm flying on January 14th... arriving on January 15th, I have no idea how and what that could have happened. Isn't it much better to forget BKK and drive straight to Jomtien? I am increasingly convinced that it is the best option. But what is wise in this? will continue to gamble for the time being...
ERIC
That weird Suthep is trying to provoke a coup, because then the PM will be kicked out and he can do his thing, which is not accepted by the Reds. Most Thais are afraid that it will become a civil war, I also see it coming. Suthep has called Jathuporn dog head and dared him to come to Bangkok with his Reds and try to stop him, he wants and will have a coup. , my wife got 50. Why no coup, experienced the riots in the 1s, also on Rajdamnoen avenue, scores of students shot dead. Then a curfew for 70 years, from midnight to 3 am. worse if that Suthep isn't stopped, blessings from the CEO.
Dear TheoS, Generals are very capable and smart people. The Supreme General and his Chiefs of Staff have all the plans ready. Do you really think that Suthep or the Thaksin clan can pack them? We'll see in the coming weeks....
Generals do not always retain power over their subordinates, do not forget that the army is divided among itself (watermelons), a coup can be the start of a civil war.
Dear Khunsiam, everything is possible, from coffee to simple water jug. But so far, the military has kept aloof and flat, and that's a wise move so far. Also remember that in 2010 the army acted against the red shirts with many casualties. It would border on complete incredulity if the army now goes against the yellow shirts, with the same chance of many victims. General Prayuth knows this all too well: just let the army roll in at will to break up protests again and then saddle up with the rubbish in the streets? A role that it no longer wants, unless provocations and street violence with casualties give cause to consider deploying the army. He is clear about that. There is a lot of insinuation in the comments about the army: one says that Prayuth is not a fan of the S-clan, yet another recalls hearsay that Prayuth has something with Yingluck. Well, that makes a reaction gooey, but nothing more. So is the chance of a civil war if the army makes an appearance. Well, there is also that chance if the red shirts move to BKK, but they do not have that plan for the time being. In short, protest and response have so far been very peaceful, despite all the rhetoric and blackening. There were incidents to regret, but all those who predicted that things were going to get messy in BKK were proven wrong.
What is also possible? To date, no socially authoritative body from science, politics, culture, business, journalism, and so on, has come forward with any initiative for mediation, nor with any vision that leads to a way to bring parties to the table. to get. Let alone monasticism presenting itself as the bringer of consensus. Would the army eventually be like the spirits, after all the exhaustion and in the absence of any ideas of their own, ready for it and show themselves willing......? Everything is possible. Would be nice wouldn't it!
I was staying near Khao San road when the soldiers mowed down the students a little further on Ratchadamnoen in '91, no one was allowed to leave the guesthouse.
Moderator: please don't chat.
The ex-PAD and some ex-generals had conceived the plan to let Suthep do the job (the coup) because of the dangerous situation of division within the army. The army command sided with the “people's coup mongers” and retired generals were among them. This is the information communicated to me in August by my acquaintances from the former PAD. But the mission has not yet succeeded and threatens to fizzle out as the Yingluck “caretaker” government remains in office and the elections are approaching…