Red shirts threaten to rise up against coup

01/02/2010
Bangkok Post

The red shirts say they will rally at provincial halls and military camps across the country if they believe a coup is imminent.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) yesterday unveiled its strategy to head off any coup threat, adding the rallies could result in the blocking of military bases and provincial halls.

UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said the UDD believed a coup would take place, and was preparing for it.

Mr Jatuporn said the UDD's anti-coup operation would start before the coup and carry on until democracy was restored.

If a coup occurred, red shirt members across the country would be mobilised to fight the coup-makers and win back democracy.

Rallies would be held at all provincial halls and military camps across the country, and a large gathering called at Sanam Luang.

UDD leader Veera Musikhapong said the red shirts would change their status from political demonstrators to "lawkeepers" if a coup was staged.

He demanded the government speed up legal cases against the People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrators charged with blocking Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008.

Rallies staged by the red shirts were forms of democratic expression, and had nothing to do with a court ruling on the seizure of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's assets, set for Feb 26.

Natthawut Saikua, another red shirt leader, urged people to keep a close watch on politics in the next 10 days.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda is scheduled to go overseas from Feb 4-14, when military power would be in the hands of deputy army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha, a figure trusted by the aristocracy. That was a high-risk time for a coup.

Mr Natthawut denied speculation by army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol that judges and anti-graft officials deciding on Thaksin's asset seizure case could become targets for assassination.

He said the red shirts had never wanted to take anyone's life.

The red shirts would rally at the air force headquarters tomorrow, Mr Natthawut said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday the government would not let people intimidate judges or independent organisations.

Speaking from Davos in Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum, the prime minister warned opponents against making threats.

Democrat spokesman Thepthai Senpong said the red shirts' strategies were similar to those of ex-communist insurgents.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Khattiya said he would turn himself in to the Crime Suppression Division today to answer charges of possessing war weapons.

CSD acting chief Supisarn Pakdeenareunart said Maj Gen Khattiya told police he would report today.

He would not be detained, as he had been issued with a police summons only, said Pol Col Supisarn.

Police on Jan 21 raided Maj Gen Khattiya's home in Bangkok and the living quarters of his aide, where they found war weapons.

The raids followed an M79 grenade attack on Jan 15 on Gen Anupong's office at army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.