By The Nation Published on October 17, 2008
Top brass heap pressure on PM through Channel 3 talks
If it was some kind of a coup, it was one that has never been staged before. No machine guns and tanks were in sight when the military and police leaders arrived at TV Channel 3 late yesterday afternoon. When they left three hours later, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's government was shaken to its core.
Army chief Anupong Paochinda led the historic commentary that was soft in tone but brutally harsh in substance. The top brass's unspoken message delivered at the news talk programme hosted by Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda was clear: Mr Prime Minister, you'd better go.
Anupong all but held the government accountable for the October 7 bloodshed, saying he was well aware of "orders" that the police had to follow. He also expressed regret for failing to warn that such orders could lead to violence.
"[Before the crowd dispersal] I told the police chief the Army wouldn't do anything," Anupong said when asked about his role on the tragic day. "It wasn't just about me. It was about the entire Arny. We had to stand by the people. We wouldn't do it even if we had been given the authority to do it."
Although he and the other top brass showed unwavering unity, they ruled out a new coup which they insisted would only mean the Armed Forces choose to take side in a conflict that divides Thailand. But what they said was enough to have Somchai's residence immediately crawl with reporters and senior People Power Party members.
"If the government ordered it [the use of drastic measures], it will have to take responsibility," Anupong said. "This is not meant to pressure the government, but someone has to show responsibility. No-one can stay on a pool of blood. No-one can."
Asked what he would do if he was prime minister in that situation, Anupong replied: "I would resign. As long as society can't accept the action, this issue is never going to end."
The military and police leaders did not say the government had lost their support, yet Anupong's firm declaration that the military had to stay in the middle severely undercut Prime Minister Somchai's authority and rendered his concurrent position as defence minister meaningless.
"This is obviously a collective demand for the prime minister to resign without having to stage a coup," said a source close to Somchai. "This gets us in a difficult situation."
The People's Alliance for Democracy, which had turned against Anupong for his "inaction" before, during and after the October 7 bloodbath, reacted cautiously. The Manager newspaper's website highlighted his virtual call for Somchai's resignation and discussion forums were a mix of renewed praises for Anupong and scepticism.
Anupong also strongly denied PAD's allegations that he now had vested interests with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who allegedly sheltered and sponsored the Army chief's daughter studying in England.
"My children were never involved with them. My daughter who has studied in England mostly kept to herself and didn't get involved with anyone," he said. "I've never received anyone's money."
Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara called for a compromise to end the protracted political crisis and insisted that the military would never use force to interfere. Police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan would not specify who gave the order to disperse the PAD protesters, only saying everyone should wait for results of investigation.
Earlier in the day, Somchai, besiged with the political and economic crises as well as border tension with Cambodia, said he might step down once a new Constitution is in place through an independent drafting assembly. His immediate reaction to the unprecedented TV revolt was not avaible, though it now seems he may have to ponder leaving the post far sooner than that.
Source: The Nation
Comparison of Burma: When Saffron Revolution, dozens of monks and protesters were brutally killed by SPDC troops in Rangoon. Peaceful chanting 'Loving Kindness' monks and supporters had no sympathy from top generals.
