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Thai army chief rules out coup rumor

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-25 17:15

BANGKOK -- Thailand's army chief Anupong Paojinda on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of a military coup to topple the government, explaining the coup could not solve problems.

Anupong, who chairs the committee for monitoring political developments, said the army has prepared plans and security forces to handle groups of anti-government protestors occupying different areas.

Anupong was quoted by the Bangkok Post's website as saying that security forces from the army, air force, navy and police will be divided into two groups. The first group will watch over the protesting groups in different locations while the second group will prevent groups with different political views from clashing each other.

The army chief said the police will facilitate the motorists, should the demonstrators block the traffic lanes. The police will exercise utmost restraint and try to compromise with the protestors who try to provoke violence, instead of using forceful measures, he affirmed.

After meeting with the Permanent Secretary for Defence, the Supreme Commander, and army commanders on Tuesday morning, Anupong said the meeting resolved to stick to three principles, which are protecting the main institution of the country and maintaining social order, preventing clashes that could lead to losses, and adhering to the legal system to work out the national crisis.

He said other alternatives such as staging a coup would not solve problems in the country.

On Monday, the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has seized the Government House since August 26, held mass protest before the Parliament, the Chart Thai Party Headquarters, the Finance Ministry and later changed their target to the temporary seat of government at Don Mueang Airport. They vowed to topple the government by Wednesday.