10.14.2551

First Army chief critical of police

Police greatly overreacted when confronting anti-government demonstrators led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Oct 7, First Army commander Lt-Gen Khanit Sapithak said yesterday. Political problems should be solved through political means, and authorities should be careful when mobilising the security arms of the state, he said.

On speculation there could be another coup, Lt-Gen Khanit said the military remains loyal to the people, the nation and His Majesty the King.

''We're doing our duty and we don't think about doing the duty of others,'' the First Army chief said.

But he was only the commander of an army unit and not in a position to say whether there would be another coup.

Lt-Gen Khanit suggested that both the leaders of the PAD and the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) be brought to the negotiating table.

Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew yesterday took responsibility for the violence between police and anti-government demonstrators on Oct 7.

''It's clear that I must take responsibility,'' said Pol Lt-Gen Suchart, but added police needed to use tear gas to prevent demonstrators raiding parliament.

Pol Lt-Gen Suchart said an investigating team had been set up to identify those who should be held responsible for the damage and he would accept the decision.

He said his bureau was not involved in buying the tear gas used by the police.


source bangkok post

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