Senior Thai military officers were summoned to a meeting on Wednesday to discuss a possible exit to the country’s current political stalemate, the daily “The Nation” is highlighting today.
According to “The Nation,” the invitation came from the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, General Tanasak Patimapragorn, and was addressed to the top chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Prayuth Chan-ocha, Narong Pipatanasai and Prajin Juntong, respectively.
The report states that the Supreme Command claims that continued clashes between government supporters and opponents will cause the country to suffer even more damage than is already evident through the substantial decline in tourist arrivals.
The newspaper cited a military source who clarified that there is no intention to press any of the warring parties and ruled out any coup d’etat, considering such a thing to be an inappropriate method of addressing national problems.
The action follows clashes over the weekend between pro-government red-shirts and the opposition People’s Democratic Reform Committee that has announced protests planned for the coming days.
It also occurred after interim Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra appeared before the National Anti-Corruption Commission to answer alleged charges of negligence that led to irregularities in the nation’s rice subsidy program.
Yingluck, accompanied by her lawyers and cabinet members, defended the controversial policy, in a 30-minute speech on Monday, after which she declined to issue further public comment.
The special panel is expected to issue an opinion in April that has the potential to lead to impeachment, thereby further stoking political conflicts. (PL)