Journalism of Courage
Thailand8217;s powerful army chief Friday issued his strongest call yet for the nations political rivals to overcome their bitter divide,refusing to rule out the possibility of a military coup as long as the conflict threatens to tear the country apart.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha made the comments one day after protesters trying to stop February elections battled with police in Bangkok in clashes that left two people dead and injured more than 140,one of the most violent days since the conflict began two months ago.
Asked whether a military takeover was possible,Prayuth said simply,That door is neither open nor closed8230; it will be determined by the situation.
Protesters have lobbied for the army to intervene in the crisis,and their leader,Suthep Thaugsuban,has called on the military to take sides. Late last month,they forced their way onto the grounds of army headquarters to deliver a letter asking the military to support their campaign. Prayuth responded by insisting that the army would not take sides.
On Friday,he reiterated that stance,saying,Please dont bring the army into the centre of this conflict.
Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul Friday said he would ask the military to provide security for the elections.
Prayuth said the army had shown red traffic lights to both sides,so things will calm down,and called for an end to violence. You ask,Who wins? Who wins? No one, he said.
Still responding to the question of possible military intervention,he said,Whether it is going to happen,time will tell.
But he added: We dont want to overstep the bounds of our authority. We dont want to use force. We try to use peaceful means,talks and meetings to solve the problem.
