Chalit says Thaksin should come clean

ACM Chalit Pukphasuk, former Air Force commander, said in a radio interview that the current Democrat Party-led government was not the goal of the junta but a natural consequence of political development.

Chalit served as caretaker chairman of the Council for National Security, which staged the coup in September 2006 that ousted Thaksin. He took over as CNS chairman from former Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who led the power seizure.

More than two years after the coup, Chalit defended the putsch as necessary to prevent chaos and insisted it had not been self-serving. Telling Thaksin to stop fighting and confess, he conceded that it was natural to fight to defend oneself.

Asked about what he thought was Thaksin's view on the monarchy, Chalit said he did not know Thaksin's mind but added: "Nothing stays a secret."

Chalit also defended the junta from the allegation that it had influenced judges to punish Thaksin, saying it was impossible to force judges to come to a certain verdict.

"Am I gratified [by the Supreme Court's ruling against Thaksin]? I say no. It's up to [Thaksin]. If he chooses to confess and admit his wrongs, he's right, and he may beg for mercy."

Many national leaders have been ousted by coups in the past 70 to 80 years. They may have good and bad qualities, but Thais forgive them; it won't take that long."

Asked if the political divide would worsen, he said that too was up to one man, Thaksin.

Chalit defended the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters, who shut down two Bangkok airports and caused much economic damage, as "civilised protesters" who were "educated" and "well off". He said it was impossible to hire PAD protesters for Bt500 a day and no one had the money to do so.