It was true, rather than just rumor, that some militarymen were trying to stage a coup d'etat in Bangkok to oust caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said Tuesday.

Surapong told a press conference Tuesday morning that a group of militarymen, as reported earlier, were mapping out a plan to stage a military coup while the caretaker Prime Minister was out of home for an overseas business trip.

A police source, requiring anonymity, also told Xinhua that some militarymen planned to kidnap a granddaughter of Thaksin, as part of the coup attempt, to bargain with Thaksin once the coup is successfully launched.

Thaksin, said in an interview Tuesday that he believed some people are trying to force him out of post. He said that since they had planted a car bomb, which was reportedly foiled as an assassination plot on Thaksin in August, "why not a military coup?"

Thaksin canceled his plan to directly return to Bangkok on Tuesday morning after attending the Sixth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Helsinki, Finland, and decided to take a break in London, Britain before flying to Cuba to attend another meeting. He said it was for health concern, adding in a joking manner that he was not "pursuing asylum" to avoid domestic troubles.

Surapong also explained late Monday that it was not out of fear for a reported possibility of military coup that premier changed his schedule.

Source: Xinhua - 12 September 2006

This is getting interesting TS, again in the news today. Lets hope that there is no coup, its not what Thailand needs right now

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NATIONAL CRISIS

Rumours of military coup refuse to die

Sonthi remains calm, but PM's prolonged absence from country has many wondering

The capital is once again abuzz with rumours of a possible coup as caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be out of the country for quite some time.

However, Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boon-yaratglin was quick to pour cold water over yesterday's rumours in a bid to avoid aggravating the rift between the Army and the government.

"We must not suspect each other but stay firm. Don't believe in rumours that might destroy our unity. Please be assured that we will try to maintain the country's stability. The military will remain patient," he said.

Sonthi said the military would from now on have to be careful with each and every movement. "Last night there was a troop movement of the Fourth Cavalry Battalion following its training and this was look-ed at with suspicion," Sonthi said.

Asked about the motives behind those who are spreading the coup rumour, the general said: "It is disinformation, a signal sent out to say 'I know what you are up to'," he added. Coup rumours have periodically emerged during this time of growing political tension.

Thaksin's opponents would try to prevent an election out of fear that the premier would make a comeback.

Thaksin has also realised that his chances of returning to power are very slim. He is pondering the right time to announce his decision about taking a break from politics. But he is afraid that once he is out of power, the new government might go after him and seize his family's assets.

Meanwhile, there is some indication that Thaksin would likely stay abroad for a while during this time of heightened tension.

After attending the Asia-Europe Summit in Helsinki, he has travelled to London to stay with his daughter. He has written a letter from Helsinki to members of the Thai Rak Thai Party and to the Thai people in general to inform them about his participation in the summit.

Government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said yesterday Thaksin would be writing periodic letters to the Thai people and Thai Rak Thai members in the course of his foreign trips.

"He might write three to four letters a month," Surapong said. Judging from Surapong's comment, it appears that Thaksin is likely to stay abroad for an extended period. The PM is scheduled to travel to Cuba and New York next.

A political source in the Thai Rak Thai camp said Thaksin's decision to stay abroad for an extended period would help deter a military coup at home. Anybody who stages a coup would be branded a traitor against the Constitution, while Thaksin would immediately gain the upper hand, he said.

Once the political mood shifts, Thaksin would announce his decision to take a break. The political source also said there were three candidates for the premiership - Dr Somkid Jatusripitak, Dr Surakiart Sathirathai and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan.

Since Thaksin would like to continue to have a say in Thai politics, Sudarat is seen as the most likely candidate for premier if Thaksin were to take a back seat during the period of political reform which is likely to follow the election, the source added.

A military strategist said it was very difficult to stage a coup, especially with constant rifts among top military leaders.

Thaksin's classmates, who attended the Armed Forces Academy Preparatory School, are now in key military positions and are ready to defend Thaksin with counter-attacks.

The Nation

Yes right now its a very touchy subject in the political issue, one thing i can say is there is too much open media relating to What & Where Mr Taskin is doing in the last month....

Just last week there was a small coloum in the Bangkok Post saying Taskin will be leaving airport on Tuesday to go to China, andt han he will come back to Bangkok on Friday etc.. etc....

This leaves an open door to any criminal minded person planning attacks......

Also not very necessary/smart for the media to discuss in detail his steps, when there already had been some possible attacks on him previously...

Thai army chief dismisses public fears of coup d'etat

BANGKOK, Sept 14 (TNA) - Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, on Thursday dismissed fears of a military coup against the government, saying the military fully supports continuing peace and order in the nation.

The army chief told both the government and the general public not to be swayed by rumours intended to provoke the destabilisation, Gen. Sonthi said, which he claimed were designed to cause division between the military and the government.

''These were rumours aiming to divide the country," Gen. Sonthi explained. "We must trust each other.''

The army chief believed the rumours could have been generated by a troop movement earlier this week at the end of a normally scheduled military combat training exercise.

He told reporters that he had counseled young officers to remain patient over the current political mess, which he said should only be solve by democratic means.

''Unity is what our country needs; so, we must stop talking about coups," Gen. Sonthi said. "It is impossible."

Coup jitters were fueled by an earlier remark by Secretary General to the Prime Minister Prommin Lertsuridej on such the possibility, given the current political turmoil.

Dr. Prommin was reported to have said that a military coup was as likely possible as an assassination attempt against the prime minister.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Gen.Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya said on Thursday that the public had mistaken the military combat training as a coup.

''It was only a misunderstanding,'' he said.

''Coups are against the law and should not be discussed casually,'' the minister added.

TNA