"Former army chief and leader of the Sept 19, 2006 coup Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin confirmed on Thursday morning that he is interested in getting involved in politics. Gen Sonthi is on a visit to Islamic leaders in Phuket and Phang Nga during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
The former chairman of the coup-makers' Council for National Security said he would not set up his own political party but would join a political camp that has policies and political ideology he agrees with.
“The country is now facing the problem of social division and thus I want to join a political party that is impartial. It must be a party that the people can rely on,” Gen Sonthi said. One of his major aims was national reconciliation.
Asked about charter amendments, Gen Sonthi said he agreed that articles in the constitution that cause problems or are obstacles to the government in the performance of its duty should be altered.“But a referendum on the changes must be held, to seek opinions from the general public. ''The people must be allowed to take part in any change made to the country’s supreme law.”
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/15...-enter-politics
0
Coup leader Sonthi to enter politics
Started by BORG, Sep 10 2009 12:22 PM
5 replies to this topic
#2
-
- Members
-
- 496 posts
Veteran
Posted 10 September 2009 - 12:35 PM
If you take a look at two of the most recent thread posted here, you will note that the general who committed treason and staged a coup to trash the 1997 Constitution that was signed by the King is free to run for political office but one little lady who gave a speech in a park in Bangkok that some judges found insulting to the King has to spend 18 years in jail.
This country is stark raving mad.
This country is stark raving mad.
#3
-
- Members
-
- 1,253 posts
Veteran
Posted 11 September 2009 - 04:00 PM
QUOTE
This country is stark raving mad.
Are they mad ? Crazy like a fox would be more like it. Every time I hear the current gang in power say how terrible it would be to give Thaksin an amnesty for having had a conflict of interest, I look at General Sonthi, who overthrew the legally elected government and got amnesty, and have a good laugh. No wonder they call it Amazing Thailand.
#4
-
- Members
-
- 434 posts
Veteran
Posted 12 September 2009 - 02:19 PM
I don't know enough about Thai history but has any Thai general ever been executed or imprisoned for throwing as coup which failed ? It seems to me that these military types must think they have nothing to lose in trying.
#5
-
- Members
-
- 1,689 posts
Veteran
Posted 12 September 2009 - 02:57 PM
QUOTE
I don't know enough about Thai history but has any Thai general ever been executed or imprisoned for throwing as coup which failed
Probably not. You get a gold medal for a successful coup. Bronze for a dud.
hehehe....
#6
-
- Members
-
- 3,744 posts
Veteran
Posted 12 September 2009 - 05:45 PM
I think that a number of military men have gone into exile following treasonous failed coups, but most seem to have managed to filter back into the country after a respectable period. Soe have returned quietly while others have actually been welcomed back by the Bangkok elite. It's not clear if these guys got exiled in the first place for trying a coup - or for failing.
Pridi, one of the leaders of the coup of 1932, which abolished the absolute monarchy, was later exiled and died without ever returning to Thailand. His alleged anti-monarchists sentiments were largely responsible for that condition.
One can only speculate what the Thaksin government would have done to General Sonthi and his conspirators if the coup of September, 2006 had failed. But given the way in which Thai governments all must treat softly with the military, my guess is that voluntary exile, not jail, would have resulted. Perhaps when Thai prime ministers are strong and confident enough to fire and jail their generals, the endless cycle of coups will end. Don't look for the present PM to set any such precedent.
Pridi, one of the leaders of the coup of 1932, which abolished the absolute monarchy, was later exiled and died without ever returning to Thailand. His alleged anti-monarchists sentiments were largely responsible for that condition.
One can only speculate what the Thaksin government would have done to General Sonthi and his conspirators if the coup of September, 2006 had failed. But given the way in which Thai governments all must treat softly with the military, my guess is that voluntary exile, not jail, would have resulted. Perhaps when Thai prime ministers are strong and confident enough to fire and jail their generals, the endless cycle of coups will end. Don't look for the present PM to set any such precedent.
