Army chief says majority supports govt; student critics are "same old faces"

Udomdej made the remark after university students from Khon Kaen, Thammasat universities and yesterday at Chiang Mai University made symbolic anti-coup gestures to denounce the military junta.

The Army chief cited various polls, saying they invariably indicate that the government and the NCPO still enjoys an approval rating of between 80 to 90 per cent. On the other hand, students who opposed the NCPO and government in recent days were the “same old faces”.

He said “proper understanding” was needed among university student critics and both the military and police would try to deal with them respectfully and with consideration of various rights, but there had to be certain limits.

“I ask people who understand and have relatives [who oppose the NCPO and the government] to take care and warn them so that the country can move forward in accordance with the steps laid down by the government and bring about happiness. 

“In the long run, we will hold a proper election that is perfect, as expected by most people and the government,” he said.

Udomdej urged students who oppose the junta and the government to express themselves properly, adding that officers wished not to resort to the use of stronger measures in dealing with them “as we are already civilised”.

In a related development, National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Anusit Kunakorn revealed yesterday that Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan had instructed security agencies to keep a close eye on various groups, including those in the provinces.

Thienchay Kiranandana, chairman of the National Reform Council (NRC), said the NRC was ready to listen to the views of university students in the middle of next month. Thienchay insisted that anti-coup student activities would not affect the reform process.

The move came after Prime Minister Prayut ordered both the NRC and King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI) to open a forum to listen to students who think differently to the government and were coming out to oppose it. 

He said the NRC was now trying to contact people in order to organise the forum. Thienchay refused to speculate on whether such a forum could end the conflict or not – but promised to do his best.

The NRC chairman added that holding such an event would not violate martial law as it would not constitute a political gathering.

Prayut said yesterday he was serious about opening up space for students who oppose the government to air their views and urged the students to participate. He said he had charitable feelings for the five Khon Kaen University students who staged a protest against him last week, so they were set free. However, he said people must respect the rules.

Prayut also said that the shifting of senior police from Khon Kaen province was not a “transfer” but an order to have them relocated to help perform their duties elsewhere.