Writer: Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post
The UDD demonstrated in the rain at army headquarters, against deputy army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha, whom they claim is plotting another military coup d'etat.
The red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) ended its rally at Royal Thai Army headquarters peacefully last night.The UDD was rallying in protest against deputy army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha, whom they accuse of planning to stage a coup.
They started the rally at noon in rainy conditions amid tight security on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue where the army headquarters is located.The road was closed for the protest until 6pm, when the red shirts dispersed.
Gen Prayuth and army chief Anupong Paojinda were not at the headquarters yesterday. The pair travelled to Yala province in the deep South on Thursday.UDD leaders announced that the objective of their rally at army headquarters was to ask Gen Prayuth whether he would stage a coup.
Gen Prayuth and army chief Anupong Paojinda were not at the headquarters yesterday. The pair travelled to Yala province in the deep South on Thursday.UDD leaders announced that the objective of their rally at army headquarters was to ask Gen Prayuth whether he would stage a coup.
However, Gen Prayuth told reporters on Wednesday that "there won't be any coup for sure".
An army source said Gen Prayuth had assigned one of his classmates in Class 12 at the pre-cadet school, Lt Gen Daophong Rattanasuwan, deputy army chief of staff, to monitor the situation and 1st Army commander Lt Gen Khanit Sapithak to ensure peace and order at army headquarters.
An army source said Gen Prayuth had assigned one of his classmates in Class 12 at the pre-cadet school, Lt Gen Daophong Rattanasuwan, deputy army chief of staff, to monitor the situation and 1st Army commander Lt Gen Khanit Sapithak to ensure peace and order at army headquarters.
The UDD yesterday gave their rally the following theme: "Befriending brave soldiers, but protesting against aristocrat-serving soldiers." UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan claimed Gen Prayuth had discussed with air force chief ACM Itthiporn Supawong on Jan 16 a plan to stage a coup to resolve unrest in the country.
Mr Jatuporn said the military was divided. Those on one side wanted to stage a coup, but another side agreed with the red shirts and wanted to protest against the coup.
Mr Jatuporn said the UDD's next rally targets would be the air force, the Defence Ministry, the Election Commission and the Royal Golf Lanna golf course in Chiang Mai, which they claim is linked to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda.
They then plan to hold a mass rally in Bangkok to oust the government.
Group Captain Monthon Satchukorn, deputy spokesman of the air force, denied that the military's top brass met at the air force to discuss a coup.
Meanwhile, Col Sirijan Ngathong, deputy army spokeswoman, said the army would conduct military training in Bangkok and other provinces throughout February.
The training sessions were regular annual training sessions and were not linked to any coup.
Army troopers and military supplies would be transported from army camps to training sites in different areas this month, she added.
Army troopers and military supplies would be transported from army camps to training sites in different areas this month, she added.
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