Jatuporn in mass protest call to deter coup plotters

[Khun Don]

Jatuporn in mass protest call to deter coup plotters
Published: 9/02/2012 at 12:00 AMNewspaper section: News

Red shirt co-leader Jatuporn Prompan has claimed there could be a coup in April making it necessary for the red shirts to renew their mass protests to pre-empt any such attempt.

Mr Jatuporn, a list MP for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, said yesterday that members of his United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and his associates who work with US intelligence told him there could be a coup d'etat which could bring about a change of government in April.

The UDD would move to prevent the coup. The group will stage a concert on Feb 25 and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will speak to his supporters via a video call from abroad.

Mr Jatuporn said the gathering of red shirt supporters should discourage anyone who might be plotting a coup.

Nisit Sinthuphrai, another UDD leader, said the movement's leadership met in Nakhon Nayok two days ago and agreed that the present political situation could be the spark leading to a power revolt.

The UDD should stage anti-coup protests, he said, adding that red shirts should also press their demand for a charter rewrite.

He likened the planned Feb 25 concert to preparations for battle.

Meanwhile, Deputy Agriculture Minister Nattawut Saikuar said yesterday he has no plan to apologise to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda over the UDD's past criticism of the statesman.

Mr Nattawut, a UDD core leader, said the organisation was launched as part of a quest for full democracy.

During political rallies, the UDD has attacked Gen Prem, believing he helped engineer the Sept 19, 2006 coup that toppled premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Nattawut insisted he had no personal grievance against Gen Prem.

He said neither he nor Gen Prem expected an apology from one another. He said he saw no need to apologise because the issue at stake was the pursuit of democracy.

"But the people are waiting for national reconciliation to materialise, unity to be restored and democracy to be achieved," he said.

Gen Prem has accepted an invitation to preside over a party tomorrow to thank agencies involved in flood relief under the now-closed Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc).

Mr Nattawut said he will attend the party as a cabinet member, as it is an important event for the government. But he maintained he and Gen Prem had "no special agenda" to discuss during the party, and he did not want to be anyone's enemy.

The opposition has decried the party, saying it is in poor taste given that many people are still upset about the state's flood response last year, and still waiting for promised post-flood cash relief.

BANGKOK POST

[Khun Don]

Stop talking about coup : Jatuporn told
February 9, 2012 3:46 pm

Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat Thursday said Pheu Thai MP and red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan should stop talking about a coup.

Sukampol said Jatuporn talked too much and too often.

On Wednesday, Jatuporn claimed that he had heard from informants working for a US intelligence agency, that the military would stage a coup before April.

"Jatuporn talks too much. He should not have talked about it. It would be best if he stopped talking now," Sukampol said.

"The words 'I think' and 'I heard' should not be used because they cause problems and unnecessary panic."

Sukampol said Jatuporn should have whispered in his eye rather than speaking in public because it is the duty of the defence minister to prevent coups.

The defence minister said the military no longer wanted to stage a coup even though the commanders-in-chief of the Army, Navy and Air Force may come together and discuss the notion.

While Sukampol criticised Jatuporn, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the red-shirt leader might have good intentions in coming out to pre-empt a coup.

But Yingluck said she had cross-checked with intelligence agencies and none had learned about a coup plot.

As a result, Yingluck said she believes no coup would take place and Jatuporn should stop talking about it now that all sides have dismissed the speculation.

THE NATION