Asia-Pacific

Thai deputy PM guarantees no military coup

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-11 14:03

BANGKOK - Thai armed force chiefs have no thoughts at all of staging a military coup and therefore investors in the capital market should not worry about it, Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said on Friday.

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Suthep said the recent meeting between the prime minister, himself, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha and other top brass on Thursday was just about collating information about the crackdown on red-shirt protesters last May for use during the censure debate, Bangkok Post online reported.

The deputy premier said he could guarantee that nothing would happen during the no-confidence debate next week.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier declared his plan on House dissolution, insisting that the general election would surely be held before the end of June.  

"I do believe that Thai stocks will not fall as there will be no coup. Investors should feel comfortable," Bangkok Post online quoted Suthep as saying.

Asked whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva could make known the exact date of the general election after his meeting with the Election Commission (EC) this afternoon, Suthep said that the decision rests with the prime minister.

"If the EC is ready for an election, the prime minister will know best when he can dissolve the House of Representatives and call an early poll," said Suthep.

Abhisit earlier said during his weekly television program that he will consult with the EC, about a possible House dissolution date, to pave the way for the next general election.