US warns Thailand against coup d'etat

US warns Thailand against coup d'etat

The United States has warned Thailand to avoid a military coup during the ongoing political turmoil.

US Department of State spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the US certainly does not want to see a coup or violence in Thailand.

The US request is aimed at all members of Thai society to make clear the importance of using democratic and constitutional means to resolve political differences, she said.

Ms Psaki said although peaceful and orderly polling did take place in most areas in Thailand on Sunday, there were also disturbing incidents of violence on the eve of the election.

These included efforts to block voters and election workers from reaching voting sites, and disruptions to the delivery of election materials.

"We do regret, of course, that many voters were prevented from exercising their right to vote, and we reiterate our call for all sides to refrain from violence and exercise restraint to avoid further injuries, loss of life, and destruction of property".

The US remains concerned that political tensions in Thailand are challenging the country's democratic institutions and processes.

"We certainly don't take sides, as you know, in Thailand's political disputes, but we continue to urge all sides to enter into sincere dialogue to resolve political differences peacefully and democratically," she said.

Responding to the question of whether the State Department accepts the election results as valid, Ms Psaki said, "I don't think I raised any question about it. I think I conveyed that we had some concerns about how it was undertaken, especially the fact that some were unable to vote, and there are new, additional processes that need to take place moving forward".

Meanwhile, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday stood his ground, maintaining that no one would pressure him into staging a military coup.

"I will not listen to anything outside of army rules. No one can persuade me to do so," said Gen Prayuth, referring to reports that senior and retired army officers had asked him to launch a coup to diffuse the political crisis.

Asked if there were senior and retired army officers sending letters to him to demand the military do something, Gen Prayuth said the army received many letters of requests and he had assigned the Office of the Army Secretary to respond to them.

"I am grateful about any concerns for the army. The army belongs to all people," he said.

He also called on the public to stop accusing senior officers of trying to incite a coup, saying the matter would tarnish and endanger all involved.

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