Thai Army chief rules out possibility of another coup

Source: Xinhuanet | 08-24-2007 18:43

Thai Army commander-in-chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Friday brushed aside mounting concerns over a possible coup staged by military officers upset about their promotions in an annual reshuffle, saying the army is united and most of the military has discipline.

"The appointment of the new army chief should have nothing to do with the political situation," Sonthi was quoted by the staterun Thai News Agency as saying, adding that "the military must be separated from politics."

"The army is determined to perform its duty to the utmost of its ability in terms of national security. The appointment of the army chief will be considered based on security concerns," he said, conceding that he had not yet discussed with Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtas the annual military reshuffle for 2007.

Normally, the reshuffle is up to the decision of commanders of the armed forces.

Sonthi, who is also chairman of the Council for National Security and the leader of last year's military coup, will retire from the post of army chief in September.

Regarding the expectations of military officers who are upset about the reshuffle and who might there initiate a counter coup, Sonthi said although it is a commonly voiced scenario, it has no basis in reality.

He said the army had been united now and most soldiers already had a discipline.

"Everyone will comply with once commanders have already made the decision," he said.

Editor:Du