[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 27 February 2006 :-

Panlop: Military coup possible

A military coup may be unavoidable if Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra refuses to budge and political instability persists much longer, said Panlop Pinmanee, deputy chief of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc). Gen Panlop predicted political turmoil if Mr Thaksin clings to his seat. Uncontrollable tension could necessitate a military revolt to restore national calm, he said.

Gen Panlop was a key figure in Class 7 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, whose young turks staged an abortive coup in 1981. A coup will be motivated not by the desire to overthrow Mr Thaksin or his opponents, said Gen Panlop.

He believed the soldiers would not want to see protracted turmoil threaten national security.

The coup may not happen any time soon. ''Certainly not today,'' the general said, commenting on the likelihood of the anti-Thaksin rally at Sanam Luang providing the pretext for a revolt.

Gen Panlop said, however, that a coup would not be easy to organise considering that Mr Thaksin's friends in the armed forces almost monopolise the power to authorise military deployment.

''When the country is in a shambles, I trust the soldiers will act professionally and not become the personal protector of the prime minister or the government,'' he said.

The Isoc deputy commander praised army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin for serving the country well, although some are wondering where his loyalty lies.

A source, however, said Gen Sonthi has been perceived as taking Mr Thaksin's side. He is often seen at social gatherings organised in Mr Thaksin's honour and plays golf with the prime minister. He and other armed forces leaders reportedly made a pact to meet Mr Thaksin regularly. But a source in the armed forces said that even if Gen Sonthi agreed to a ''military intervention'' the success of a coup could not be guaranteed.

The army units backing him are special warfare soldiers, most of whom have now been redeployed as reinforcements fighting separatist insurgents in the deep South.

The power to mobilise personnel is primarily in the hands of Mr Thaksin's classmates at the Armed Forces Preparatory School, the source said.

''There's no way Gen Sonthi's strength alone will get the job done,'' he said.

None of the close aides of Privy Council chairman Prem Tinsulanonda are in key military positions able to call the rank and file to arms. Gen Panlop said Mr Thaksin should stand down because there have been too many questions raised about his suitability as leader.