Deputy PM allays concerns over new coup

By k on January 26, 2010

BANGKOK, Jan 26 (TNA) – Armoured army vehicles seen on Bangkok’s streets Monday evening are part of Thailand’s assistance to the United Nations peacekeeping force in the Sudan, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Tuesday, assuring the public the top military brass will definitely not stage a coup as his Democrat-led coalition government still enjoys full support from the military.

Mr Suthep said he has heard that close aides of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra have planned to incite violence to the point that the military could not stay idle and that will lead to popular uprising.

The deputy premier, who oversees national security, reasserted that he works closely with the armed forces chiefs who strictly adhere to democratic principles and backs the democratically-elected government to help resolve the country’s problems and that the top military officers have no plan to stage a coup.

“The public should not be worried because state officials will not use violence in solving problems,” said the deputy premier, “Police and soldiers do not take side but duty-bound to maintain law and order.”

“The armed forces chiefs understand that political problems must be solved through politics,” Mr Suthep said. “I’ve been working with them for more than a year and a coup is entirely not on their minds.”

Regarding media reports some armoured vehicles being seen on Bangkok streets Monday night caused panic among parts of the public, Mr Suthep explained that the vehicles were being relocated for maintenance before being dispatched to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sudan.

Mr Suthep apologised the public and said that the concerned agencies should have informed the public over the move.

Thailand’s most recent coup, staged bloodlessly on September 19, 2006, toppled the Thaksin administration following prolonged street protests led by the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), better known as the Yellow Shirts. (TNA)

Deputy Army Chief emphasises ‘no coup’ BANGKOK, Jan 27 (TNA) – Thailand’s Deputy Army Chief Gen...
Thai govt rules out return to ante-coup playing field for talks with Thaksin BANGKOK, Dec 21 (TNA) – The government of Prime Minister...
Thailand’s Red Shirts rally against coup at military camps BANGKOK, Feb 4 (TNA) – The United Front for Democracy...
Government won’t launch coup against itself BANGKOK, Jan 31 (TNA) — Despite Thailand’s ongoing political turbulence,...
Thailand denies accusation over planned coup in Cambodia BANGKOK, Dec 25 (TNA) – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suthep...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Readers Comments

Business News »

Loan clients urged to be well-prepared for higher finance costs

July 16, 2010

BANGKOK, July 16 – Loan customers, particularly small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), must have well-prepared business plans to cope with higher financial costs in the face of an upward interest trend, according to the Kasikorn Research Center (KRC), a leading Thai financial think tank. Kasikorn said that major domestic commercial banks had begun raising the [...]

Bank And Finance »

Commercial banks announce hikes in interest rates on fixed deposits

July 16, 2010

BANGKOK, 16 July 2010 (NNT) —Interest rates on fixed deposits and lending rates have been hiked by financial institutions following the hike in the policy rate by the Central Bank. Krungthai Bank has announced its fixed deposit interest rate hike of 0.25-0.35%, while key lending rates would be increased by 0.125-0.15%, effective today. Siam Commercial [...]

General News »

Summary of the 9th APEC Energy Meeting

July 12, 2010

Thai delegates led by Minister of National Resources and Environment, Suwit Khunkitti, along with international counterparts from 20 countries attended the 9th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting in Fukui, Japan on 19 June 2010. During the summit, a speech on the “Low Carbon Paths to Energy Security: Cooperative Energy Solutions for a Sustainable [...]

Economy »

4 Govt agencies cooperate to promote Thai investment abroad

July 12, 2010

BANGKOK, 12 July 2010 (NNT) – The Office of Thailand Trade Representative (TTR) joins force with three financial institutions to promote Thai investments abroad, with operators in various business groups showing keen interest in the project. TTR along with SME Bank, EXIM Bank and the Government Pension Fund (GPF) announced their cooperation in credit support [...]

Energy »

Moody´s chops down PTT´s credit

June 29, 2010

BANGKOK, 29 June 2010 (NNT) – An international credit rating firm, Moody’s Investors Service, has lowered the creditworthiness of Thai petroleum giant PTT Plc from A2 to A3 with a negative outlook. Moody’s Investors Service has changed the local currency issuer rating for PTT Plc from A2 stable to A3 negative while the foreign currency [...]

Politics »

One month needed for Interpol consideration over Thaksin´s case

July 16, 2010

BANGKOK, 16 July 2010 (NNT) – A nod from the Paris-based international police intelligence-sharing association, Interpol, over case of self-exiled ex Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should be known within one month. Police Maj-General Terdsak Rujirawong, Commander of the Royal Thai Police Foreign Affairs Division, said on Friday that an arrest warrant on terrorism charge issued [...]