'No need' for state of emergency
WASSANA NANUAM

The military is opposed to declaring a state of emergency, saying the current situation does not warrant it. The assurances came from supreme commander Gen Ruangroj Mahasaranont and army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin following their meeting with Defence Minister Gen Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya yesterday.

The meeting was also attended by navy chief Adm Sathiraphan Keyanont and air force commander ACM Chalit Phukphasuk.

Gen Ruangroj said judging from a situation assessment by intelligence units, the anti-Thaksin demonstrators had been well-organised and orderly.

''Therefore, a state of emergency is not necessary, unless the situation turns violent and private and state properties are set ablaze. The protesters are peaceful and they are unlikely to resort to violence to try and turn the tables on one another. In general, Thai people are peace-loving and know violence is not the answer to the country's political problems,'' he said.

The supreme commander noted that on the whole all parties involved have exercised restraint, despite some exchanges of provocative language.

The Supreme Command will publish a book containing His Majesty the King's speeches for distribution to the people calling for unity, Gen Ruangroj said, adding that he thought of doing this a long time ago but had been a bit too slow.

Gen Ruangroj saw nothing wrong with the airing of the post-Black May royal footage by the Thai Television Pool on Saturday night. The broadcast generated widespread speculation on why it was being shown, and the meaning behind it.

''I assure you for the 100th time that soldiers will be on the people's side and work for their well-being,'' he said.

Army chief Gen Sonthi also saw no justification for a state of emergency, which can be declared under the existing decree for administration in emergency situations.

When asked if it would be possible for the government to declare a state of emergency to disperse the demonstration if it was prolonged, Gen Sonthi said: ''Doing so will only damage the country's image. We should avoid its use.''

The army chief dismissed a report as not true that some academics had called for the military's intervention to bring the situation back to normal.

Gen Sondhi also agreed with the showing of the post-Black May royal footage but declined to say who ordered the TV Pool to do so.

Asked what if the government decided to declare a state of emergency, Gen Sonthi said soldiers would be on standby around-the-clock to cope with any situation.

The front gate of the army headquarters was ordered closed when the demonstrators of the People's Alliance for Democracy marched to the Government House yesterday morning.

The army also had an operational plan codenamed ''Pathaphi 149'' for its own security.

The plan was to be implemented by a combined force of one company of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division and military police with ten dogs, two fire trucks and a mobile radio vehicle in case protesters intruded into army headquarters.

Maj-Gen Jaray Arnupap, the army secretary, has been assigned to monitor the situation closely and keep Gen Sonthi updated on the latest developments.

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