Army Commander: Coup is a 'possibility', if necessary
A military coup cannot be ruled out, army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha said after Thursday's chaos at the Thai-Japan stadium. "It is clear that a certain group of people do not shy away from violence, as they did in 2010, but the military will do everything possible to prevent violence."
Prayuth calls a coup "a possibility," but it depends on the situation and the time. He thinks that even if the military staged a coup now, no one would listen. The army chief calls on all parties to put an end to the creation of even more conflicts. “I am not indifferent to the situation, but I cannot say much. The military is determined to uphold justice and create a sense of security.”
Yesterday, in a teleconference with the heads of the provincial electoral councils, the Electoral Council discussed the events at the stadium, which claimed the lives of two people, claimed 153 victims and caused the necessary damage (photo home page). Radical protesters from the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand then tried to prevent the registration of election candidates for the national electoral list.
Today, registration of district candidates begins in 375 constituencies. When there are problems, the location where this takes place may be changed or registration may be postponed, if candidates and staff are at risk. The head of the electoral council in the southern province of Satun (a stronghold of opposition party Democrats) expects a thousand anti-government protesters to demonstrate at the registration site.
In Bangkok, the Thai-Japan stadium is no longer used; registration takes place in a field near a bus parking area on the grounds of the government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road.
Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, head of the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order, believes more protests against the election process are possible. He will ask the military to protect election candidates and voters in the country and to ensure that the elections on February 2 are fair.
Action leader Suthep Thaugsuban has given the demonstrators a few days off. After the turn of the year, the rally on Ratchadamnoen Avenue will continue. Suthep announced another major rally. Not a single square inch in Bangkok is left open by us to supporters of Thaksin. Those who disagree should leave the capital for good.'
Electoral Commissioner Somchai Srisuyhiyakorn yesterday reiterated the Electoral Council's suggestion to postpone the elections. On Thursday, the Electoral Council suggested that option. Somchai is considering a delay of four to six months. During that period, the rival parties can work on rules for fair elections.
Resignation of commissioners, so that the elections cannot take place, Somchai calls a 'last option'. Should this happen, the Senate can appoint new commissioners, says Senate President Nikhom Wairatpanich, so that the elections can still go ahead.
According to Somchai, the Electoral Council is authorized to postpone elections in certain problematic constituencies. The government can postpone the entire election, he says, but that is opposed by the government.
Fifteen political parties reported to the Thai-Japan stadium yesterday, bringing the number of political parties participating in the elections with a national list to 53. The Thai House of Representatives has 500 members: 375 parliamentarians, elected through the district system, and 125 through proportional representation.
(Source: Bangkok Post, Dec. 28, 2013)
What a circus I have never experienced, the pot calling the kettle black. And then knowing that there is still so much useful work to be done in Thailand, they will never make progress that way. Too bad
Suthep starts behaving crazier and crazier. He gives the demonstrators "free" before the turn of the year. Like he's some kind of generous leader!
And the following statement is completely thought-provoking!
Not a single square inch in Bangkok is left open by us to supporters of Thaksin. Those who disagree should leave the capital for good.'
This statement indicates how the man will behave should he ever come to power! He is not at all interested in a solution. He wants absolute power and will then start hunting the reds and maybe even foreigners.
If we put this next to earlier statements by, for example, the heiress of Singha (rural people do not know what democracy is or words to that effect), then the goal of the yellows slowly but surely becomes clear: power of the elite without input from anyone outside the “ canal belt”.
It's a good thing Army Commander Prayuth Chan-ocha has explicitly mentioned the possibility of a coup. Only through that threat is it possible that someone can restrain Suthep. This man is dangerous with his Volksraad (of course without grubbing up, read rural people) and Volksgoverning. In his view, the word “people” in both words means “ekite” and there will certainly be no more elections if he ever becomes prime minister. Unless the elections through an amended electoral law (what Suthep will then call a reform) will always yield the yellows as the winner.
Dan forgot to say that Suthep also said that he doesn't want to become a PM. If you then look back, where the Thaksin family has brought Thailand to in recent years, then it is time for a different thought to emerge. Thailand is now well on its way to becoming a developing country.
How long will it be before the army intervenes? I don't think that long given the chaos that is already reigning. Politically, Thailand is in a stalemate and the solution is still a long way off.
Incidentally, this is mainly an issue that plays a role in Bangkok and perhaps some larger cities. The further away from the capital and especially in the countryside, people will care less about what happens in Bangkok.
regards Joy
Why does that remind me of the 30s-40s in Europe? Mussolini and Hitler in particular. Whirling up the masses were masters at that. I think Suthep has read the book Mijn Kampf, clown he is!