Suthep expects all-out attempt by red shirts to bring down government in the first two months of the year.
Coalition figures expect another difficult year for the government, with the opposition movement likely to renew its violent bid to bring down the administration in the first couple of months.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said red-shirt protesters would engage in "street politics" in late January or early February aimed at overthrowing the national leadership and plunging the Kingdom into "complete chaos" in the process.
Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said chaos would likely occur but added he was not committed to invoking the Internal Security Act just yet.
He will apply the law if the situation warrants it.
He insisted the red shirts' plan went "beyond overthrowing the government".
"Let me confirm the information stated did not come from my imagination, but rather from evidence, from operators working for people like [singer] Arisman Pongruengrong and [Pheu Thai MP] Jatuporn Promphan, plus other reports we've received," said Suthep, who is also Democrat Party secretary-general.
He declined to elaborate what he specifically meant by his remarks about changing the national leadership.
"You can believe that these people will dedicate themselves to following orders and thus proceed using various means. Nevertheless, if an incident does occur, I'll try my best to diffuse the situation, in order to prevent any bruises to the country, and I'll keep the public informed."
The deputy premier said pressure would be applied from both inside and outside Parliament, as well as inside and outside the Kingdom. However, he remains confident any impending political chaos can be handled sufficiently.
Fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is aiming high to "change the national leadership", said Suthep, but he will not be able to achieve this, because most Thais do not want it to happen.
"I don't think it will materialise. Let me reiterate this is not a provocation, but rather my confidence speaking. People will not oppose my views, because most do not endorse violence."
Suthep said the timing of major street protests might be related to the superstitious beliefs of the red-shirt leaders.
He said the government was willing to negotiate with Thaksin but only in accordance with the law and that foreign leaders would not allow themselves to be "used" by Thaksin like Cambodian President Hun Sen had.
"In fact, many have told me Thaksin has gone too far," Suthep said.
Chuan Leekpai, chairman of the Democrat Party's advisory board, expressed similar views. He urged protesters to remain peaceful and warned violence would be met with the law.
"If we manage to steer past this, Thai democracy will be strong," he said.
Chuan said he believed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva could handle the situation and defended him from criticism of being a "political novice".
Abhisit yesterday said his government was firm in its resolve to lead the country to peace and reconciliation through justice.
"I am confident that if the majority of society contributes, we will see better prospects for our country," he said.
"But if we allow our country to become mired in violence, our society and politics will be in chaos."
Meanwhile, Bhum Jai Thai Party spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said the growing number of military
personnel joining the Pheu Thai Party signalled the coming of a "people's war", but he expressed confidence in the government's ability to handle it.
"The red shirts' strength is not increasing, and the people understand the situation, especially those in the middle who choose not to belong to any [political] colour and wish to see national reconciliation and economic growth," he said.
PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said he would give the public more news and information "proactively", in order to prevent "senseless red-shirt propaganda" from triumphing.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment