Sonthi goes on TV to deny coup
Rumours of another putsch spread rapidly
POST REPORTERS
General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin — PHRAKRIT JUNTAWONG |
Army chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, leader of the Sept 19 coup that ousted the Thaksin Shinawatra government, went on television last night to douse rumours that he would stage a repeat coup. ''Why would we do this? We risked our lives in response to the demands of the people. Why would we do it again,'' he said in an interview with Channel 9 television last night. ''We have turned over our powers to the government.''
Gen Sonthi's late television interview came at the end of a day that had been abuzz with rumours of another coup. Tension remained high yesterday in the capital following Sunday night's bomb blasts.
Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd earlier said troops had been mobilised from Bangkok and nearby provinces to ensure public safety at more than 300 spots in the capital.
He apologised for the commotion caused by the troop movements which were part of an ''operation for peace''.
During the interview with Channel 9, CNS chairman Gen Sonthi also insisted there was no division among the eight council members.
''We are all friends. Only two are younger people,'' he said.
Asked to comment on a foreign report, cited by former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, that the CNS was responsible for the bombings on New Year's Eve he said the foreign media were far from the source of information.
''We love the people too much to do it,'' Gen Sonthi said.
Authorities will today release more information on the status of investigations into the bombings so that the people understand, he added.
At the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) earlier, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont called on the country to prepare for more attacks as suspicion grew that dissident soldiers and police were behind the blasts.
''This probably won't be the last time we see incidents of this kind,'' Gen Surayud said. ''For some time in the future, we must prepare our hearts and minds to face this new form of threat to people's lives.''
Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas and assistant army chief Saprang Kalayanamitr separately implied the bombings were the work of experts in khaki or green uniforms.
''If the perpetrators are out-of-line soldiers or police, they must be executed,'' Gen Saprang said.
''Their commanders, though not the masterminds, were lenient enough to let their subordinates do wrong, and would be considered negligent. They should be dismissed for failure to supervise their subordinates.''
At the NLA, Gen Surayud said there was ''very little'' chance the bombs were linked to unrest in the South.
Citing forensic analysis, he said the materials used to make the bombs, and the way they were set off ''may seem to be similar [to those used in the South], but they are not exactly the same''.
A number of recent bomb hoaxes showed the people behind the New Year's Eve blasts were in Bangkok, he said.
The government had received prior intelligence reports that attacks could take place at the CentralWorld shopping complex, Ratchaprasong intersection and the Seacon Square mall on New Year's Eve, he said. He alerted security authorities, especially the police who were responsible for securing the capital, he added.
Gen Surayud condemned the bombers for showing no regard for the lives of innocent people and public property.
''The places, the timings and the bombs used indicate an intention to cause panic and damage to people's lives and property. Although the amounts of explosives used were small, it showed the intention to cause injuries or deaths,'' he said.
The bombings killed three people and injured 42 others, 15 seriously.
Though expecting more threats, Gen Surayud insisted his government was sticking to its goal to forge social reconciliation and launch fair elections.
Gen Boonrawd insisted that the bombings were the work of defeated politicians who wanted to discredit the government and the CNS. Gen Saprang said the government and the CNS had videotapes of suspects at two bombing sites. And along with Gen Boonrawd, air force chief ACM Chalit Phukpasuk denied the CNS was behind the attacks.
putsch
a coup; a sudden attempt to remove a government by force
ousted
forced out of power
douse
to stop; to stop a fire from burning by pouring water on it
abuzz with rumours - full of rumours
tension
a situation in which people do not trust each other; anxiety; worry
mobilised
organised and made ready for action
commotion
sudden noisy confusion or excitement
cited
mentioned as a reason or example to support what you are saying
status
the situation at a particular time of a process
suspicion
a feeling that someone has done something wrong, illegal or dishonest even though you don't have proof
dissident
a person who strongly disagrees with a government, group, etc.
|
implied
suggested that something is true without saying so directly
khaki or green uniforms
army or police uniforms
masterminds
people who plan and direct a complicated project (often one that involves a crime)
lenient
not as strict as expected or required
negligent
failing to give enough care or attention to something
subordinates
people who have less power or authority than someone else
linked
connected
unrest
a political situation in which people are angry and likely to protest or fight
forensic
connected with scientific tests used by police when trying to solve crimes
hoaxes
acts intended to make people believe something that is not true
prior
earlier; before
|
intelligence
secret information collected about an enemy, criminal network, competitor, etc.
alerted
warned
securing
making safe
condemned
expressed very strong disapproval
regard for
respect or admiration for
innocent
not having done anything wrong
intention
aim; purpose
forge
to put a lot of effort into making something
reconciliation
the end to a disagreement and the start of a good relationship again
launch
to start an activity
discredit
to make people stop respecting someone or something
suspects
people who are thought to have committed a crime
|
| 
