Military concerned about political uncertainty

BANGKOK, May 18 (TNA) - Royal Thai Navy Chief Admiral Satirapan Keyanon on Thursday expressed concern over lingering political uncertainty and appealed to all sides to help end the crisis.

He said he did not know about a report that Royal Thai Army chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin would seek a special audience with His Majesty the King soon to inform him of varied issues concerning national security, all of which His Majesty is said to be concerned.

However, Adm. Satirapan said he would meet and discuss the matter with Gen. Sonthi Thursday evening.

"We (the armed forces) have long been concerned about the country's political state because we feel it doesn't appear to end soon." he said.

"The Navy itself has tried every way to help bring order to the country, and everyone must help.".

Nevertheless, Adm. Satirapan noted that the present political uncertainty with the caretaker government in charge would not cause chaotic impacts, especially on the national economy.

The economic problem persists throughout the world and the stock index has been plunging everywhere, he said.

He said the armed forces simply want the political problem to be resolved and national administration to be back on track, with agencies attending to their duties.

The naval chief said cooperation among Thailand's top three courts in their joint attempts to end the political problem is a good thing and all sides should accept the courts' ruling regardless of their decisions.

TNA
May 18, 2006

Thai army chief reaffirms non-interference in politics

BANGKOK, May 18 (TNA) - Amid Thailand's drawn-out political uncertainty, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Thursday reaffirmed the armed forces' stance of non-interference in politics, saying the military would not stage a coup.

Asked about his seeking a special audience with His Majesty the King, the army chief said he would report to the monarch regarding two issues, first, the development of the Royal Thai Army in the last 10 months and second, progress made toward solving unrest in the country's three southernmost provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattati.

He said he sought an audience alone with His Majesty the King, not involving other two armed forces chiefs--the Navy and the Air Force--as stated in some newspaper reports.

Gen. Sonthi said he had submitted a letter requesting an audience with His Majesty the King some days ago.

Asked, if granted an audience, whether he would speak with the monarch about the army's stance on politics or suggestions regarding possible ways out of the current political quandary, he said it would definitely be inappropriate to do so.

Furthermore, he thought His Majesty the King himself does not want the military to meddle in politics.

He said he would not bring more anxiety to His Majesty the King than he already has.

What he would bring to His Majesty the King would help ease the beloved monarch's anxiety and give him peace of mind.

Asked how the army would respond if the political problem showed no sign of coming to resolution, the army commander reiterated that, as professional soldiers, military leaders must steer clear of politics.

"Whenever soldiers get involved in politics," Gen. Sondhi said, "it seems that the nation's problems begin to escalate and become worse."

"Military officers, accordingly, must step back from politics," Gen. Sonthi affirmed.

"With that firm and clear stance, I assure everyone that there definitely won't be a coup," he said.

Despite the current political confusion, Gen. Sonthi said, the political will of the Thai people would return to a new well-being, different than before, with all things in balance at some point, if no other problems concerning security come into the scene.

He said there are four major security-related problems which are the army's mission--the insurgency in the far South, illegal acts along the borders with neighbouring countries, the threat of drugs and illegal immigration.

All the army's missions must be free from politics, Gen. Sonthi affirmed, and if the distance from politics is maintained, the progress of solving the country's problems would help ease His Majesty the King's concerns over national security.

TNA
May 18, 2006