Thailand's head of the armed forces has rejected rumours that the military was plotting another coup, and said he would only deploy soldiers on the streets at the government's request.
Supreme Commander General Boonsrang Niumpradit, who has a largely ceremonial role, said the army would only leave their barracks to enforce law and order if current anti-government rallies escalate.
Protesters have since Sunday barricaded a section of a major avenue in Bangkok's historic district, demanding that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej stop trying to amend the country's new constitution.
"A coup is not a clever thing and I don't see any potential coup leader, but if the government asks, troops must go out to maintain order and minimise damage," Boonsrang told reporters.
"A coup-maker would not tell us (about a plot), but I believe that nobody would stage a coup because our country is in this condition," he said, referring to the current unstable economic and political climate.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index fell 42.6 points in the first three days of this week due to investor fears about the country's stability.
The mood in the capital is apparently so jittery that Thailand's finance minister sought to reassure investors and consumers that no new putsch was on the horizon.
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have so far gathered crowds of up to 8,000, but the group is attempting to mount protests similar to its campaign in early 2006, which eventually helped lead to the toppling of the government.
Boonsrang called for restraint and reconciliation with the PAD, who clashed with pro-government demonstrators Sunday evening, leaving 30 people injured.
"To ask troops to come out is the last measure, which means there would have to be some extended violence," Boonsrang said.
AFP
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