Return to base

The military are so worried about prospect of violence they have recalled the comander of the First Army from his European trip.

The abrupt return to Bangkok of First Army chief Lt-Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha from his European trip underscores growing unease in the military about the political temperature.

Fearing possible violence, army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda ordered Lt-Gen Prayuth to cut short his journey overseas with the National Defence College, an army source said.

He had originally been planning to return home this weekend, but his abrupt return was seen at army headquarters yesterday.

Tomorrow, another political flashpoint arrives when the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which organised Sunday's rally against the government, submits signatures seeking the impeachment of MPs and senators pushing for a motion to amend the charter.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said more than 30,000 signatures would be handed to Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondej.

The PAD's demonstration on Ratchadamnoen avenue to protest against the lawmakers' bid to amend the charter was countered by pro-government groups led by the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, and this led to minor clashes.

The same group opposed the coupmakers who deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006.

The PAD remains undecided whether to end its rally after tomorrow, or continue to camp out.

A defence source said one of the army's plans to curb potential violence is to set up a task force to protect the capital, working under the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc).

Besides the prospect of further protest action, the government is also grappling with the dispute involving PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair.

Mr Jakrapob is battling to prove his innocence against allegations that he spoke ill of the monarchy in a speech to members of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand on Aug 29. His speech upset the armed forces. But Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who is also defence minister, asked military leaders at a one-hour Defence Council meeting yesterday to have confidence in his ability and that of the police to control the situation. "I will take full responsibility. "The armed forces should not worry. Everything is under the care of the police," he said.

Gen Anupong did not attend the meeting as he went to hospital to take care of his ailing mother.

Military leaders held talks after the council meeting. Supreme commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit denied they were mapping out a coup plan although he admitted that he and his colleagues were concerned about the political environment. "Nobody is foolish enough to undertake a coup. It would make things worse," he said.

A source at the ministry said the armed forces leaders discussed what to do if the government decided to invoke the Internal Security Act to handle the political turmoil, which would put Isoc in control.

The law was passed on Dec 20 by the National Legislative Assembly, the body appointed by the coup-makers.

Moves in parliament to kill the charter amendment motion continued, with some of the motion's supporters considering withdrawing their names.

Pongthep Thepkanchana, spokesman for Mr Thaksin, said the former prime minister wanted stability to return, and hoped his supporters would be constructive and pose no problems.

Only Mr Jakrapob or the government leader should be responsible for deciding whether the minister should resign, he said. Mr Jakrapob is on seven days' leave while he fights the allegations.

Mr Thaksin returned to Bangkok from Indonesia yesterday but refused to talk to reporters.

Military worried about prospect of violence

WASSANA NANUAM

The abrupt return to Bangkok of First Army chief Lt-Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha from his European trip underscores growing unease in the military about the political temperature.

Fearing possible violence, army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda ordered Lt-Gen Prayuth to cut short his journey overseas with the National Defence College, an army source said.

He had originally been planning to return home this weekend, but his abrupt return was seen at army headquarters yesterday.

Tomorrow, another political flashpoint arrives when the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which organised Sunday's rally against the government, submits signatures seeking the impeachment of MPs and senators pushing for a motion to amend the charter.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said more than 30,000 signatures would be handed to Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondej.

The PAD's demonstration on Ratchadamnoen avenue to protest against the lawmakers' bid to amend the charter was countered by pro-government groups led by the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, and this led to minor clashes.

The same group opposed the coupmakers who deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006.

The PAD remains undecided whether to end its rally after tomorrow, or continue to camp out.

A defence source said one of the army's plans to curb potential violence is to set up a task force to protect the capital, working under the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc).

Besides the prospect of further protest action, the government is also grappling with the dispute involving PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair.

Mr Jakrapob is battling to prove his innocence against allegations that he spoke ill of the monarchy in a speech to members of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand on Aug 29. His speech upset the armed forces. But Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who is also defence minister, asked military leaders at a one-hour Defence Council meeting yesterday to have confidence in his ability and that of the police to control the situation. "I will take full responsibility. "The armed forces should not worry. Everything is under the care of the police," he said.

Gen Anupong did not attend the meeting as he went to hospital to take care of his ailing mother.

Military leaders held talks after the council meeting. Supreme commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit denied they were mapping out a coup plan although he admitted that he and his colleagues were concerned about the political environment. "Nobody is foolish enough to undertake a coup. It would make things worse," he said.

A source at the ministry said the armed forces leaders discussed what to do if the government decided to invoke the Internal Security Act to handle the political turmoil, which would put Isoc in control.

The law was passed on Dec 20 by the National Legislative Assembly, the body appointed by the coup-makers.

Moves in parliament to kill the charter amendment motion continued, with some of the motion's supporters considering withdrawing their names.

Pongthep Thepkanchana, spokesman for Mr Thaksin, said the former prime minister wanted stability to return, and hoped his supporters would be constructive and pose no problems.

Only Mr Jakrapob or the government leader should be responsible for deciding whether the minister should resign, he said. Mr Jakrapob is on seven days' leave while he fights the allegations.

Mr Thaksin returned to Bangkok from Indonesia yesterday but refused to talk to reporters.

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By Bangkok Post Agencies