Thailand’s new army chief rules out coup, defends monarchy

Thailand’s new army chief on Tuesday made the traditional pledge to defend the country, the Buddhist religion, the monarchy and the people, but seemed to take a softer line than his predecessor toward dissenting political voices. General Narongpan Jittkaewtae took his post on October 1 in an annual military reshuffle as the government faces a challenge from mass protests that include unprecedented calls for reforms to the revered institution of the monarchy. The position of army commander carries enormous political influence, since the military has staged more than a dozen successful coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Speaking at his first news conference, Narongpan did not directly criticise the protesters for their beliefs, instead warning they must respect the rights of others and accept the consequences if they violate the law. Asked whether the protesters’ 10-point manifesto for royal-related reforms is a threat to the monarchy, Narongpan avoided a direct answer, declaring that reform is a positive thing but everyone should look at themselves first before asking others to change. He said Thai society should have tolerance for people with different beliefs. Narongpan’s predecessor, General Apirat Kongsompong, was an outspoken royalist who harshly criticised the mostly young protest leaders, telling an audience of military cadets that “Covid-19 can be cured … but the disease that cannot be cured is the hatred of the nation”. He was appointed to a senior position at the royal palace after his retirement. ‘Government’s got no game’: are Thai protesters gaining the upper hand? Thailand has a lese majeste law that makes defaming the monarchy punishable by three to 15 years in prison, though none of the current protest leaders have yet been formally charged with the offence. Narongpan, 57, hedged when asked about the possibility of another military coup. There are no indications that one is in the offing, but the threat is always present, with the last two occurring in 2006 and 2012. “The chance of coup making is zero if based on the fact that no groups are creating a situation or a violent conflict that causes suffering. I urge everyone to be positive, getting rid of any factors that could lead to such a situation, making the chance of a coup to be less than zero,” he said. Meanwhile, Thai politicians and protest leaders laid floral wreaths on Tuesday at a monument commemorating the anniversary of a student massacre more than 40 years ago, as survivors reflected on the younger generation’s latest democracy push. The October 6, 1976 killings, carried out by security forces and royalist militias, stand out for their brutality. At least 46 student protesters were shot, beaten to death or hanged from trees as they rallied at Bangkok’s Thammasat University against the return of a military dictator who was ousted from power just three years earlier. #RepublicofThailand hashtag trends after constitutional change delayed Nobody has ever been held accountable for the bloodshed, which critics say is a reflection of an ongoing culture of impunity for the country’s military. Thailand’s current pro-democracy movement has seen massive demonstrations across the country. “It’s like history repeating itself … they were students who came out to protest demanding change in our society,” said lawyer Anon Numpa, one of the most prominent faces of the movement, at the memorial on Tuesday. Opposition MP Rangsiman Rome pointed to sedition charges targeting Anon, as well as dozens of activists, as proof of the need for reform. Representatives from the pro-establishment Democrat Party also attended. “If every side understands the history, then we can solve our country’s problems,” former MP Tankhun Jittitsara said. Thai protests: LGBT, women’s rights activists take centre stage The current crop of activists have studied Thailand’s history and are unafraid to discuss “the root cause” of the kingdom’s problems, said Pheu Thai MP Sutham Saengpratoom, who was a student leader during the 1976 crackdown. “My generation didn’t dare to talk about the entire truth but these students are bold,” he said. Survivor Jin Kammachon – who saw his parents and girlfriend killed that day – is heartened that today’s students have been using a ballad he composed as a protest song. “The songs I composed more than 40 years ago can still be used in today’s struggles,” he said. And he has written a new song with the lyrics: “If we don’t surrender, we will not be defeated.”