Thai Defense Minister: No post-election coup

There will be no military coup after the general election, Thai Defense Minister said in Bangkok Thursday.

Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon insisted that the military will not become involved in politics and there would be surely no military coup after the general election on July 3.

Gen Prawit was responding to reporters' questions about what the armed forces would do if there is political unrest after the general election.

"What do you reporters want soldiers to do? Please tell me," Bangkok Post quoted Gen Pravit as saying.

When asked again whether the military would stage another coup, Gen Prawit said he had repeatedly stated that there would be no more coups.

The defense minister insisted that the military will remain impartial and all soldiers working for politicians had been called back to the barracks, as required by the regulations of the Election Commission.

Thailand has gone through more than ten military coup d'etats. The latest coup was staged in September 2006, in which Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawatra was ousted. People who support Thaksin formed the "red-shirt" camp who staged mass protest in Bangkok's business zone in March and May last year.

Source: Xinhua

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