Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has reiterated that the army will not support any moves that violate the law and any wrongdoers must be prosecuted.
He was responding to a request made by red-shirt leaders from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, who want the army to make its stance clear after anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban’s controversial announcement that “the people” would take over sovereign power if the Constitution Court rules to terminate the caretaker government’s status.
Mr Suthep said he would represent “the people” in nominating an interim premier and he would personally
seek endorsement from His Majesty the King.
The government and the red shirts said such a move by Mr Suthep would be deemed as insurrection. Gen Prayuth said yesterday various parties
were interpreting the remark differently and they should study carefully if it is legal.
“If it is illegal, there must be prosecution,” Gen Prayuth said.
He said not only Mr Suthep’s side but also other parties violated laws, particularly the Internal Security Act which has been declared in Bangkok.
“I ask, who is violating the Internal Security Act? There are many groups and parties, not only Mr Suthep’s. I do not take sides with Mr Suthep, Mr Nattawut or Mr Jatuporn,” Gen Prayuth said, also referring to Nattawut Saikuar and Jatuporn Promphan, leaders of the pro-government red-shirt movement.
The army chief said he was on the side of righteousness, legitimacy and compliance with laws, and that he was devoted to his work and kept his patience.
He also said that under the present circumstances, it was not the job of the military to make arrests but it was the direct responsibility of the government, the police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
“Today there are many issues. Many people refer to violations of laws, the institution and insurrection. They mention sovereign status and the separation of the country. I would like all the issues to be addressed and solved, not only some issues. Tackling only some issues will not solve the problems. For possible solutions, you must ask the executives, politicians and the government,” Gen Prayuth said.
He stressed that for the time being all he has to do is order his subordinates to ensure public safety.
“Soldiers will show up with guns only if there is a crisis in the country. But now, it is a stage of law enforcement and surveillance. The military does not want a dispute with anyone, be it the police or demonstrators, because everyone is Thai,” the army chief said.
Surapong Tovichakchaikul, caretaker deputy premier and foreign minister and chief adviser to the government’s Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, said yesterday the DSI will prosecute Mr Suthep and his accomplices for insurrection over the speech.