Anti-coup rallies outside army bases in Thailand

via CAAI News Media

Bangkok, Feb 4 : Hundreds of anti-government protestors wearing their signature red shirts rallied outside army bases across Thailand today urging soldiers not to take part in another military takeover of the government.

''All soldiers who love democracy should join forces with the red-shirts and reject their superiors' order if the order is not lawful,'' said a statement handed to the soldiers by the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors.

The statement was also read out by UDD leaders on their television channel this morning as the rallies took place in front of army camps in several cities of Thailand.

In their televised statement, the UDD leaders said they did not recognise Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government as it lacks democratic legitimacy but did not want it to be removed by the army.

Rumours of a coup d'etat have been flying around in recent weeks ahead of the long-awaited Supreme Court ruling later this month on the fate of the over 2 billion US dollars worth of assets of former Prime Minster Thaksin Shinawatra which were seized after the armed forces toppled his government on September 19, 2006.

Army Chief Anupong Paojinda reiterated today there would be no attempt to unseat the government by the armed forces during his visit to the United States starting tomorrow.

The denial comes following media speculation that powerful sections of the armed forces were planning to launch a putsch in the army chief's absence.

Some media commentators have linked the coup rumours to an attempt by Mr Thaksin, who is said to be living in Dubai, to forestall an adverse verdict when the Supreme Court announces a decision on his frozen personal assets on February 26.

A number of retired senior armed forces personnel have joined the main opposition Phuea Thai party backed by Mr Thaksin and a senior serving army commander who is an avowed UDD supporter, is under investigation over a late night grenade attack on the Army Chief's office last month.