Leaflets were found at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters Saturday saying the military had lost its dignity for failing to protect an officer injured in an attack by anti-government protest guards on Friday.
The so-called "guards" of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) have had training sessions like these, but numerous shootings and beatings have been alleged. (File photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
The leaflet questioned how many more soldiers would have to be hurt before the supreme commander and other top military officers realised it was time to take action.
A threat to carry out a counter-attack on People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters was also mentioned in the leaflet.
It stated that a group of military personnel would hold talks about measures to be taken against the anti-government group.
Col Witthawat Wattanakul, deputy director of the International Relations Division under the Directorate of Joint Intelligence, was admitted to Mongkutwattana General Hospital at 1.30am on Friday with shrapnel wound in his ankles and facial bruising after being assaulted and shot at by PDRC guards at the Chaeng Watthana rally site.
The attack occurred when Col Witthawat got out of his car to remove a barrier placed near the anti-government protest site.
Luang Pu Buddha Issara, the PDRC leader at the Chaeng Watthana rally site, yesterday voiced his concern over the incident.
The monk said he felt very uncomfortable about what happened and had the guards go to the hospital to apologise to Col Witthawat. After talking to the guards, the monk said he learned that Col Witthawat appeared to be intoxicated when he attempted to remove the barrier erected by the PDRC around its rally site on Chaeng Watthana Road.
He said Col Witthawat’s superior had also admitted to him that Col Witthawat had acted like he was drunk.
In other violence, two bullets were fired at the Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters on Friday night.
Meanwhile, a proposal to allow personnel to ditch their uniforms has raised suspicions that soldiers could be involved in clandestine activities.
The Supreme Command has been considering allowing personnel to ditch military uniform in favour of casual clothes. However, there are denials the political conflict is behind the plan, with sources saying it was because of the hot weather.
Directorate of Joint Personnel chief Arom Patthawi has proposed the change to Supreme Commander Tanasak Patimapragorn for consideration, a source said.
Under the proposal, officers would be allowed to wear civilian clothes while on duty. The civilian clothes must not include any part of their regular uniform.
The personnel would also need to ensure their clothes are conservative, with female officers prohibited from wearing sleeveless shirts and dying their hair.
The new dress code, if approved, will be in effect from Friday.