October 16, 2008
By Vithoon Amorn
REUTERS
BANGKOK – Thai army chief Anupong Paochinda said on Thursday the prime minister should have stepped down to take responsibility for bloody clashes between police and protesters last week, but said he was not about to launch a coup.
'If I were prime minister, I would have resigned, not hang around,' Anupong said in a live television interview.
The heads of the navy and air force, as well as the national police chief, also appeared on the same interview panel, prompting frenzied media speculation that the military was about to take over.
Thailand's last military coup, against billionaire prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, was led by the 'Council for National Security' – the heads of the three armed forces plus the country's top policeman.
'I am making an appeal to the government, not putting pressure on it,' Anupong said. 'Responsibility has to be taken for what was done because you cannot be above the pools of blood.'
Two people died and nearly 500 people, including dozens of police, were hurt in last week's clashes outside parliament. Police were accused of brutality for firing tear gas grenades that blew off several people's limbs.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, a brother-in-law of Thaksin, has expressed sorrow for the bloodshed, but made clear he wishes to remain in charge.
'I am convinced we still can look after the country and continue to perform our jobs,' Somchai told reporters, although his comments were not believed to be in direct response to Anupong.
Thailand has been riven by political conflict for the three years since the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) started its street campaign against Thaksin and his allies, accusing them of corruption, cronyism and threatening the monarchy.
The dispute between the Thaksin camp and the military and royalist elite who despise him has seen a coup, elections and more street protests, but appears to be no nearer a conclusion.
Some analysts have speculated that this week's border conflict with Cambodia could be a deliberate distraction by the military, which has come under pressure from the PAD to launch a coup.
(Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Darren Schuettler and David Fox)
'If I were prime minister, I would have resigned, not hang around,' Anupong said in a live television interview.
The heads of the navy and air force, as well as the national police chief, also appeared on the same interview panel, prompting frenzied media speculation that the military was about to take over.
Thailand's last military coup, against billionaire prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, was led by the 'Council for National Security' – the heads of the three armed forces plus the country's top policeman.
'I am making an appeal to the government, not putting pressure on it,' Anupong said. 'Responsibility has to be taken for what was done because you cannot be above the pools of blood.'
Two people died and nearly 500 people, including dozens of police, were hurt in last week's clashes outside parliament. Police were accused of brutality for firing tear gas grenades that blew off several people's limbs.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, a brother-in-law of Thaksin, has expressed sorrow for the bloodshed, but made clear he wishes to remain in charge.
'I am convinced we still can look after the country and continue to perform our jobs,' Somchai told reporters, although his comments were not believed to be in direct response to Anupong.
Thailand has been riven by political conflict for the three years since the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) started its street campaign against Thaksin and his allies, accusing them of corruption, cronyism and threatening the monarchy.
The dispute between the Thaksin camp and the military and royalist elite who despise him has seen a coup, elections and more street protests, but appears to be no nearer a conclusion.
Some analysts have speculated that this week's border conflict with Cambodia could be a deliberate distraction by the military, which has come under pressure from the PAD to launch a coup.
(Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Darren Schuettler and David Fox)
5 comments:
Where the hell is Scam Rainsy and Kim Sucka in this period of crisis? They seem as quiet as a cat.
Some say Hun Sen will not listen to them? But I believe Hun Sen will listen but whether or not he follows depend on the goodness of the suggestion. But as opposition Scam Rainsy and Kim Sucka shoulda offer a suggestion on what they would do to resolve the crisis IF THEY WERE PM. Isn't that what they always wanted, to be PM? Now we need to see what they would do if they were elected in the previous election. Whether Hun Sne listen or not is not relevant. We voters want to know.
But where are they now? in the bunker shitting all over themselves. Scam and Sucka only know how to criticize Khmer and work to ban foreign aids to Khmer, but when it comes to protect Khmer, they would be as quiet as a cat. I have lost all my faith in the opposition now, after this crisis and after Scam flip flop his pledge to boycott NA as a result of bribes by Kith Meng.
I repeat this: Now it shows why Cambodia needs Hun Sen. If you are opposition supporters, time to switch. Scam and Sucka are hopeless idiots.
To 7:07AM,
I agreed with you 100% I was wondering about them. Sam Rainsy is very close to Nicolas Zakosy and he is still a French citizen. Why does he ask France to intervene? I guess that would be no benefit to him as he is not a Prime Minister...
Just to let all Khmers in Cambodia know that i.e. most Americans don't like George W. Bush, but they voted for him the second term as they knew he is the only president that willing to protect USA since 9-11.
We Khmers should be united and put our internal differences aside. We must protect Cambodia from the evil country like Thailand.
Mr. Hun Sen don't wait, take the case to ICJ. If Cambodia wins or looses will not affect your leadership. We know you try your best to protect her.
Love you all Khmers,
Khmer Central New York
Dear,7:07m
How do you know bout Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha did not talk to PM Hun Sen All of the things is under Hun Sen action.
Thai should not take cambodia to invol with their crisis.
This is the attitude of this shit nationalism.
and our country better not to convice all time and occationl.
Thanks
I see the coup d' etat in Siemland is in the nearest folling the statement from anupong Pochenda. Next week may something happend suprisingly in Bangkok.
Good luck one eys king SIem
keep quiet when country is being attacked by foreigner is a good attitude of opposion parties. As individual cannot ask forein country to help his/her own country during crisis, only legitimate state persons, except Hun Sen did bring foreign troops to invade country in 1979.
Post a Comment