Thai army chief, General Anupong Paochinda, has been placed in charge of the security operation in Bangkok. He replaces Thailand’s deputy prime minister, Suthep Thaugsuban, who was the previous head of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES). The announcement follows yesterday’s botched police attempt to arrest a number of red shirt protest leaders. The events of yesterday were a severe embarrassment to Thailand’s leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Thai government. It is Suthep who has carried the can for the failed security operation, but the question now is how General Anupong will respond to the new role which seems to have been forced upon him.
Anupong has previously said that the problems in Bangkok are of a political nature and politics should be used to resolve them. He has also publicly declared his reluctance to use force against the red shirt protesters and his appointment as head of CRES is already being interpreted in a number of different ways. Some analysts suggest PM Abhisit is forcing the army into a more pro-active role whilst others say Abhisit has no other choice. The move may widen the gulf between the military and the government and, inevitably, rumours of a military coup have re-emerged.
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