the Army and Thai Politics

Monday, December 31, 2007

Posted by Siam at 11:45 AM


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www.bangkokpost.com report on Friday,December 28, 2007

“ Army to 'watch politics from a distance' ”
Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said Thursday that the military would not interfere with the formation of a government allied with the ousted premier, but refused to rule out another coup in 2008.
Allies of Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a putsch last year, won the most seats in weekend elections, dealing a blow to the military that had sought to rid Thailand of Thaksin's political legacy.
"Political problems must be solved by politics -- the military will only keep watch from a distance, although nobody wants to witness clashes of people," Genl Boonrawd told reporters.
"The duty of the military is finished and next it's the duty of political parties to set up government -- the military will not interfere," he said.
But he added: "I cannot guarantee that there will not be a coup in 2008, just like I cannot rule out a natural disaster."
The generals who seized power 15 months ago have so far been tight-lipped about the electoral success of their foes.
…People Power Party (PPP), which is widely seen as Thaksin's proxy party, won 233 of the 480 parliamentary seats, just short of the absolute majority needed to govern alone.
…PPP are expected to announce the details of their coalition government on January 4, and the Democrats have made it clear that if their rivals fail to put together a government, they will form their own.
Thaksin said earlier this week that he planned to return home by April, but a senior official at the Attorney General's office on Thursday cautioned that the former premier would face arrest on corruption and fraud charges.
Boonrawd, who was installed in his post by the junta soon after the coup, said he was not concerned that Thaksin would return to power and seek to punish the military with a purge of those linked to the putsch.
"I am not afraid of revenge as I consider that the military had done the right thing," he said.

COMMENT : Good! General just keep do your right job.