Thai Army Commander Prayuth Chan-ocha has made clear that the armystands neutral and is not involved in the current political disputebetween protestors and the government.
Thecommander made the statement on November 29 after protestors stormed thearmy headquarters demanding for a clear stance from the force.
This is the first time the commander has announced the army’s position since political disputes exploded this week.
Prayuth also called on protestors to promptly seek peaceful solutions to the current political deadlock.
He declared that the army is ready to protect people if injuries orloss of lives occur as a result of protest-induced violence.
The official stressed that the army calls on all parties to strictlyabide by the law and democratic principles. Protestors should showrestraint and not push the army to either side.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the BBC, Thai Prime Minister YingluckSinawatra said that the Thai Government will not hold early elections ina bid to stop anti-government protests, which have entered the sixthday.
Yingluck affirmed that the government will not step back and will continue negotiating to reach an agreement.
At the same time, the leader of the opposition camp Suthep Thaugsubanannounced that protestors will occupy government headquarters and someother government agencies on December 1, then call on businesses to joinprotests on December 2.
The statement was made after protest groups agreed to strengthen efforts to force Yingluck’s government to step down.
Suthep said protestors will target the Government House, the NationalPolice headquarters, Bangkok Police headquarters and the Ministries ofEducation, Labour, Home Affairs, Trade and Foreign Affairs and thePublic Relations Department.
He also demanded the formation of a 37-member committee led by him to replace the current government.
On November 30, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana saidanti-government protestors’ demand to form the committee – an effort toform a new government – is a constitutional violation.
He said the supreme law of Thailand has no article allowing the formation of such a committee.
Phongthep also stressed that protestors’ occupation of stateagencies are illegal. He warned that the country’s top court hassubsequently sanctioned the arrest of protest leaders.-VNA
Thecommander made the statement on November 29 after protestors stormed thearmy headquarters demanding for a clear stance from the force.
This is the first time the commander has announced the army’s position since political disputes exploded this week.
Prayuth also called on protestors to promptly seek peaceful solutions to the current political deadlock.
He declared that the army is ready to protect people if injuries orloss of lives occur as a result of protest-induced violence.
The official stressed that the army calls on all parties to strictlyabide by the law and democratic principles. Protestors should showrestraint and not push the army to either side.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the BBC, Thai Prime Minister YingluckSinawatra said that the Thai Government will not hold early elections ina bid to stop anti-government protests, which have entered the sixthday.
Yingluck affirmed that the government will not step back and will continue negotiating to reach an agreement.
At the same time, the leader of the opposition camp Suthep Thaugsubanannounced that protestors will occupy government headquarters and someother government agencies on December 1, then call on businesses to joinprotests on December 2.
The statement was made after protest groups agreed to strengthen efforts to force Yingluck’s government to step down.
Suthep said protestors will target the Government House, the NationalPolice headquarters, Bangkok Police headquarters and the Ministries ofEducation, Labour, Home Affairs, Trade and Foreign Affairs and thePublic Relations Department.
He also demanded the formation of a 37-member committee led by him to replace the current government.
On November 30, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana saidanti-government protestors’ demand to form the committee – an effort toform a new government – is a constitutional violation.
He said the supreme law of Thailand has no article allowing the formation of such a committee.
Phongthep also stressed that protestors’ occupation of stateagencies are illegal. He warned that the country’s top court hassubsequently sanctioned the arrest of protest leaders.-VNA
