Thailand’s Red Shirts rally against coup at military camps

BANGKOK, Feb 4 (TNA) – The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered at military barracks nationwide to show their stance against a  coup that only they say will happen before dispersing without any violence.

The Red Shirts submitted an anti-coup letter and presented flowers to soldiers at the 4th Cavalry Regiment of the King’s Guards in Bangkok.

UDD members in Songkhla, Surin, Lampang and Kanchanaburi launched similar moves as their comrades in the capital before dispersing peacefully.

In Kanchanaburi, the Red Shirts were not allowed to enter the military camp as Cobra Gold 2010, the annual joint military exercise with the US military joined by six countries, is taking place.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban in charge of security affairs said he had instructed army personnel to exercise restraint and tolerance to any provocation.

Mr Suthep gave assurances that the government can definitely handle any disorder that might occur between this month and next month.

The overseas trip of the army chief will not put the country at any risk as his deputy can be in charge during his absence.

Meanwhile, Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda reassured the public that there would not be any coup although some groups of people seem bent on creating conditions that they believed could lead to a military takeover.

Gen Anupong said that the rank and file of the army are well-disciplined and would definitely keep discipline and follow the government’s instruction. (TNA)