East Tigers deride coup ‘paranoia’

East Tigers deride coup ‘paranoia’

Thaksin clan ready to quit politics, aide says

Military commanders who are members of the so-called “Burapa Phayak’’ group have scoffed at reported claims by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra about an imminent coup d’etat, saying the speculation arises from paranoia.

Thaksin: Willing to make ‘sacrifices’

Thaksin, who fled a two-year jail term imposed by the Supreme Court for abuse of authority, reportedly complained to followers in Beijing recently that soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division, also known as Burapha Phayak or the Tigers of the East, based in the eastern province of Prachin Buri, could launch a coup.

Responding to the reports, a Burapha Phayak commander said it would be impossible for the Burapha Phayak force to stage a coup alone. A coup attempt would require at least 40 battalions.

“I have not seen any signs for us to prepare for a coup. We have learnt many lessons in that a coup cannot solve political problems,” the commander said.

Another Burapha Phayak officer said yesterday that the group was once again being used as a political scapegoat.

“We feel uneasy. We are always mentioned even though we are just doing our normal duties. Possibly this results from the incident at Khok Wua intersection on April 10, 2010, when the army used Burapha Phayak soldiers to handle red-shirt demonstrators,’’ he said.

“We were unarmed. It turned out that many of us were killed and injured but we are hated. This is not right,” said the officer, referring to pro-Thaksin red-shirt demonstrators.

The latest coup rumour claimed former Burapha Phayak chief Prawit Wongsuwon, former defence minister in the Abhisit Vejjajiva government, would order a coup.

“Gen Prawit never makes any political moves but is always mentioned. In fact, Gen Prawit is close to Pol Lt Col Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman (na Pombejra, Thaksin’s ex-wife), but Pol Lt Col Thaksin may fear that Gen Prawit may take sides with Mr Suthep (Thaugsuban, leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee), his demonstrators or the elite who want to eliminate the Thaksin regime,” the source said.

Gen Prawit was not available for comment yesterday.

Last week, former army chief Anupong Paojinda, who is also a Burapha Phayak member, told the Bangkok Post the coup talk was baseless.

Another army source said the coup rumour was released possibly because of paranoia after His Majesty the King granted audiences to Gen Prawit, Gen Anupong and Privy Council president and elder statesman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda on April 16.

According to the source, Gen Prawit and Gen Anupong joined a delegation to present a Buddha image to His Majesty, and Gen Prem held a separate meeting with the King to present reports.

The meetings prompted fears by the trio’s critics that some plot might be in the making, the source said.

Rumours of a coup have been intensifying as the army will hold an exercise of its 14 rapid deployment forces in Nakhon Ratchasima province from tomorrow until Friday.

Worachai Hema, a former Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan, said one rumour was that Gen Prem had met assistant army chief Gen Paiboon Khumchaya and Air Defence Commander Lt Gen Weerun Chanthasatkosol to discuss a coup.

Mr Worachai said another rumour was that top commanders in the army had discussed the current political situation and some of them said a coup would be difficult because it would be unacceptable to the international community and there would also be fierce opposition from the red shirts.

Noppadol Pattama, legal adviser to Thaksin, denied yesterday his boss mentioned a possible coup during his recent meeting with his supporters in Beijing.

Thaksin and his family were ready to make “sacrifices” to let Thailand progress, he said.

Mr Noppadol quoted Thaksin as saying he hoped everyone would comply with democratic rule.

“Pol Lt Col Thaksin stressed to me this morning that his family is ready to make a sacrifice by leaving politics if that will bring about national progress.

“But he also indicated that everyone should also adhere to the rules and at the same time politicians who have their members organise mobs to block elections should stop doing so,” Mr Noppadol said, apparently referring to the Democrat Party.

Mr Noppadol also denied yesterday Thaksin was the root cause of the nation’s problems.

He said a new election would be the easiest solution for everyone.

Mr Noppadol denied the ruling Pheu Thai Party plans to use the next election to absolve itself from wrongdoing.

He said people nationwide wanted an election.

Regarding upcoming rulings from the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission on the government’s performance, Mr Noppadol said neither agency was responsible for solving national and political problems.

That responsibility rested with the legislature, he said.

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