(5 February) The Royal Thai Army has
refused to comply with the government for deployment of troops to protect Prime
Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Deputy Prime Minister Surapong
Tovichakchaikul has made the request after anti-government protesters led by
the People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State
(PCAD) targeted a Ministry of Defence building where Ms. Yingluck held meeting
with her Cabinet members.
But Lt.Col. Winthai Suvaree, deputy
spokesman of the army, said today that Mr. Surapong has to submit the request
via an appropriate channel, which is the Office of the Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Defence.
After the request is approved, the army
divisions would be informed how many troops are needed, and what their missions
will be, in order to arrange a suitable deployment for the operation to
safeguard the Prime Minister, said Lt.Col. Winthai Suvaree.
"No one should expect the army to
suddenly send troops without proper request, because that′s against the
procedure," Lt.Col. Winthai explained, adding that the army is still
waiting for "more clarity" from Mr. Surapong in his requests.
"As far as I know, Mr. Surapong only
talked via the media," Lt.Col. Winthai said in a press conference,
"There has been no written document requesting [the troops] so far".
His remark came amid speculation that the
Royal Thai Army might be distancing itself from Ms. Yingluck′s embattled
government. The government was forced to request presence of troops from a
nearby Royal Thai Air Force base to protect the Prime Minister yesterday.
The army spokesman also asked the police to
clarify their claim that three military officers were involved in the
assassination attempt on Mr. Kwanchai Praipana, a local Redshirt leader in Udon
Thani province.
"It lacks clarity," Lt.Col.
Winthai complained, "If the army is involved, the police should back their
claim with evidence," such as names, divisions, and their actual offences.
Furthermore, Lt.Col. Winthai said, the suspects in question could be retired
officers who are no longer associated with the military.
"That is just talking without
evidence," Lt.Col. Winthai said.
(khaosod.co.th)