Thaksin not asked to quit, generals insist
Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratklin yesterday dismissed reports that he had suggested Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resign in order to end the political turmoil.
"There was no such talk at the lunch table on Tuesday," Sonthi said.The reports quoted an unnamed source as saying that one of the top military commanders had told Thaksin to step down during the working lunch at Government House. The lunch took place amid rumours of a possible military coup. Echoing Sonthi, Supreme Commander General Ruengroj Mahasaranont and Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Sathirapan Keyanon denied that Thaksin's future was discussed. Ruengroj reiterated that the military had no role in politics, saying that political parties should resolve any parliamentary problems. The commanders denied the coup rumours for a second consecutive day. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said rumourmongers were trying to create distrust between the government and the military. "I urge the media to verify information before reporting it," he said. - The Nation
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