Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says he is ready to testify in the malfeasance case brought by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his former deputy Suthep Thaugsuban in connection with security operations to crack down on red-shirt protesters in 2010.
Gen Prayut was responding to Mr Abhisit's remark that there were three people involved in the forced disbanding of protesters, including then deputy army chief Gen Prayut, Gen Anupong Paojinda (the former army chief and deputy director of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation) and the previous defence minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon.
CRES, a body set up to address the red-shirt protests, was directed by Mr Suthep, who acted on behalf of then prime minister Abhisit.
Gen Prayut said he was prepared to testify to the NACC through a written statement.
Gen Prayut: Outspoken in supporting troops and army action during the 2010 violence.
He brushed aside suggestions that the case could land the military in trouble.
Gen Prayut said those involved acted in line with the law and security operations to retake areas occupied by red-shirt protesters were justified by police investigations.
"I also want to ask you if there were people carrying weapons in the midst of the protesters or men in black among the red shirts. Were there people who opened fire at soldiers?" Gen Prayut asked.
The pair ordered the armed forces to disperse protesters between April 10 to May 19, 2010 — operations which resulted in more than 90 deaths, said NACC member Vicha Mahakhun, who oversees the sub-panel examining the case.