Quote Originally Posted by StrontiumDog View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Panda View Post
Aupong is on record as saying the military wont move against the protesters.

However;-- "Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in a national address that he has assigned army chief Anupong Paojinda to take charge of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) and gave him the top priority of suppressing the "terrorists" who have allegedly infiltrated the ranks of the red-shirt protesters". Which is not the same as removing the protesters as some here seem to imagine.
I'm confused...

"Suppressing terrorists" and "removing the protesters" are different? (edit) (there ya go).

Anupong also said he wanted the house dissolved. I think he says whatever fits his and the armies agenda at the time...
No need to be confused there ST. Abhisit has defined the "terrorists" as those who have arrest warrants out for them. he has not called the vast majority of redshirt protester masses terrorists. And so Aupongs job will be restricted to looking for only a couple of dozen people rather than disbursing the protesters.

Aupong himself has clearly stated he will not be using the army to disburse the protesters. Aupong has stated that the protests are a political issue that Abahisit has to deal with, and further stated that he believed Abhisit should call elections to defuse the situation.

I doubt Aupong, given his well established public stance, will put much effort into arresting the redshirt protest leaders. Especially since they have already agreed to turn themselves in on May 15 th. (something that seems to be unique to Thailand, as is giving bail to those accused of serious crimes). Anyway, no point Aupong going after the redshirt leaders as they are already in the bag. Probably just a tactical move by the redshirt leaders but one considered normal and used often in the very unusual Thai standards.

The real threat which Aupong will be going after is Seh Dangs boys. The shooters and grenade throwers who target the army commanders including Aupong himself.

Dont expect Aupong to go attacking a bunch of peasant protesters which could only bring him grief in the twilight of his career when there are real terrorists out there who have already started a guerrilla war against the army.

Aupong aint going to be Abhisits pit bull against the protesters. Hes got far bigger fish to fry.