Army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha dismisses speculation about a military coup, but the Internal Security Command (ISOC) is not ruling out the possibility of martial law being declared.
Prayuth says his Verkaring Thursday issued a warning to all sides to stop violence. His words should not be interpreted as a covert threat of a coup.
“Don't think I took sides with that statement. Soldiers are legally bound by their duty to serve the people.' According to the newspaper, Prayuth was referring to a statement by red shirt chairman Jatuporn Prompan, who on Thursday said the statement was part of a conspiracy to make Prayuth prime minister after a coup. Prayuth denied that.
“The military is not trying to take the lead in resolving the unrest. Nor does it try to manipulate the situation. It depends on the demonstrators and other parties.'
Prayuth's position was reaffirmed by army spokesman Winthai Suwaree. “The army is not trying to make the situation worse. But sometimes it has to act in accordance with the law.”
Isoc spokesman Banpote Poonpien hopes that the special emergency law (Internal Security Act, ISA), which applies to Bangkok and some parts of neighboring provinces, will be enough to contain the situation. However, there are some concerns about the rallies that the PDRC and the UDD have planned for this weekend. Declaring martial law is not equivalent to a military coup, Banpote emphasizes once again.
Capo spokesman Anchulee Teerawongpaisan says the situation can be managed thanks to the ISA because it unites police, soldiers and civilians. Another option is to declare a state of emergency. "If the situation escalates, we can reactivate the emergency ordinance and apply it effectively."
Senate
Meanwhile, the Senate calls on the government and all sectors to cooperate in overcoming the national crisis. The Senate intends to appoint an interim prime minister with the task of preparing for the elections. This does not meet the demand of the anti-government movement, which demands political reform before elections are held. Acting Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisal will talk to senators on Saturday.
The previously agreed election date of 20 July is in doubt. Consultation between the Electoral Council and a government delegation on this matter had to be abruptly broken off on Thursday, when demonstrators besieged the building where they were meeting (photo home page). A follow-up appointment has not been made.
(Source: Website Bangkok Post, May 16, 2014)
Photos: The Senate continued on Friday to appoint an interim prime minister to replace government-elected acting prime minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisal.
Used abbreviations:
UDD: United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (red shirts)
Capo: Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (body responsible for applying the ISA)
ISA: Internal Security Act (emergency law that gives the police certain powers; applies throughout Bangkok; less strict than the Emergency Decree)
PDRC: People's Democratic Reform Committee (headed by Suthep Thaugsuban, ex-opposition Democrat MP)
More and more I get the impression that the Thai army leadership does know how to run a country, in contrast to the warring parties. One definitely does not want to negotiate and compromise, the other believes because they won the elections then it means that it has the say in everything.
Dictatorial traits usually attributed to military regimes.
Wiki mentions martial law and emergency in one sentence as if they were the same item. It also says 'declared by the government', have a look here….
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noodtoestand
So it is the government that must declare it and ask the armed forces to monitor and control it.
If the army intervenes without the permission of the 'government', it is a coup d'état or simply rebellion. I don't know how you interpret it when the army intervenes without the permission of the government but with the consent of the palace, but I think you also speak of a coup d'état..
They are allowed by me; rather now than tomorrow.
I completely agree with Charles and that Wikipedia writes that the state of emergency and martial law would be almost the same means nothing to me, is very different in different countries.
Let the army intervene, it has lasted long enough, I myself have lived among those morons for 3 months and have often had to restrain myself, I also talked to Suthep, who also does not know what he wants, that rioter.