Top military commanders thumping in defiant of reprisals

Army chief General Anupong Paochinda led well wishers to deliver their greetings to Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

The ceremony was private and Sonthi did not talk to reporters.

Anupong later joined the senior commanders from the three wings of the armed forces to say Happy New Year to Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas.

Defence permanent secretary General Winai Phattiyakul led the well wishers.

"The interim government has successfully steered the country to the December 23 election and the soldiers have abided by the outcome and will stay in their barracks," Boonrawd said in thanking the top commanders for their full cooperation under his leadership.

He urged the military to heed the royal advice of His Majesty the King stressing no less than five times in a month about unity, honesty, reconciliation and putting the country above everything else.

He said the interim government completed its mission and that he had no more concerns about the situation.

"From now on, the soldiers will focus on safeguarding the national security and the politicians are responsible for forming a government to run the country," he said.

He played down the speculation about reprisals, saying that the military had done what was deemed appropriate.

He said the return of the political meddling in the military affairs would depend on the interactions between the soldiers and their political overseers.

He backtracked from his earlier support for the Democrats to lead the coalition on grounds that his comments were meant as a personal view but construed as speaking in his official capacity.

He also said he did not anticipate the repeat of the military intervention next year even if the turmoil erupted once again.

"The coup is the last resort to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control and the key to prevent the seizure of power is to hold the situation in check before degenerating to a critical level," he said.

The Nation