Seh Ai: Government must go

There will definitely be another major anti-government rally aimed at bringing down the government by the end of November and up to one million people could be involved, Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit said on Wednesday.

Gen Boonlert, chairman of the Pitak Siam group, declined to comment on whether he would lead the protesters in a march to lay siege to Government House.  He did not give a date for the rally, saying only that it would be in late November.

"Whoever wants to know how we will bring down the government and whether we will march to Government House should come and join our rally to see how things develop," said Gen Boonlert, also known as Seh Ai.

"If the people turn out in large numbers, we will go right to see the government and apply pressure on it. I want to know whether soldiers or police would dare to shoot the people,  whether the red-shirts will come out,  whether Thais will kill each other because of [fugitive former prime minister] Thaksin Shinawatra," he said.

He said between 900,000 and one million people would be needed in order to oust the government.

If the anti-government protesters turn out en masse and march from the Royal Turf Club, they would be well protected.

If people of a third-hand party were to show up, they could only be supporters of the government or Thaksin, he said.

Gen Boonlert said that by leading the people's rally he was not worried whether the red-shirts would file a lawsuit accusing him of inciting rebellion because "a coup is the only way to topple the government".

"If I had military power in hand, I would have staged a coup. I am now waiting to see how Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief, will react to my call. I am still confident he has not changed his stand or sided with the government.

"If a coup did take place, an interim government would be set up. If this was not acceptable to other countries, we could close the country. I don't know for how many years, but the closure should remain until all the bad politicians have been driven away. I have never seen a good politician. Soldiers are needed to take care of the country," Gen Boonlert said.

Asked who would be made prime minister if that happened, Gen Boonlert said there would be many suitable people for the post, but he would rather not name them.

"The most important thing to do first is to bring down the government. The people must help to accomplish this goal.  Don't  allow corruption to stay.  It's no long tolerable," he said.

Gen Boonlert said he estimated the number of people at the anti-government on Oct 28 at the Royal Turf Club at 30,000, but the government's intelligence agencies put it around 7,000-8,000 to calm soldiers.

"I was very excited. I had never done anything like this in my life. But I had to do it to protect the high institution ... to topple the government.  A large number of people showed up. They gave me the moral support needed to continue with this fight," said the 70-year-old retired general.

Gen Boonlert dismissed as untrue the red-shirts' speculation that Gen Surayud Chulanont - a privy councillor and chairman of the Royal Turf Club, and his classmate from Class 1 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School - was behind the Oct 28 rally.

He said the rally was engineered by only a few people and Gen Surayud was not involved.

"I have to thank Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung for coming to lunch with me. It was like a public relations event, and it drew tens of thousands of people to the rally," Gen Boonlert added.

Army commander-in-chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha warned that  soldiers taking part in political rallies could face disciplinary action even though they may have the right to do so.

"There are disciplinary regulations and soldiers must follow their commanders' instructions. If they commit a disciplinary offence they could be demoted or even discharged," the national army chief said.

He was replying to questions about the red-shirt supporters' plans to stage demonstrations to counter any further anti-government rallies led by the Pitak Siam group.

He said it would not be a problem if both sides gather peacefully and stay within the democratic framework.

Gen Prayuth urged the general public not to support any side that abuses the law.

Share your thoughts

Discussion 1 : 01/11/2012 at 01:33 PM
Is there no law in Thailand against insurrection?
Discussion 2 : 01/11/2012 at 11:23 AM
Disc: 21; Agree with NUI's comment 100% He honestly and truly understand Se Ai's comments. There is no way the DEM can win in any election. The village head will hand out a few hundreds baht to potential voter and collect their id card to make sure that they check on appropriate box as desired at the polling station. No further question required, money speaks volume, The bigger pot of money is the country budget that the winner will control, end of story. This is the trend in Thais politics for many many decades. No brain is needed to run the country, just to get there at any cost. Just hope that am completely wrong!
Discussion 3 : 01/11/2012 at 08:13 AM
Thaksin is clearly running PTP by proxy and he has a singular destructive goal in mind - articulated over and over again in his UDD's publications and media - if people bother to read it as I have. He has circumvented all laws, employed violence, subversion, and crass demagoguery to divide and destroy this country - he has exceeded what he and his supporters claim is his "democratic mandate." He has no mandate, PTP is illegitimate - if the judiciary cannot remove this unique cancer, a more drastic measure must be employed.
Discussion 4 : 01/11/2012 at 07:49 AM
In reality - both the Democrats and PTP/UDD command minority support - PTP being elected into power with a dismal 32% of all eligible voters - the Democrats with even less than that. PTP couldn't even manage a popular majority out of those that DID vote! Neither represents the aspirations and will of the silent majority, and therefore, neither carries legitimacy. However, the Democrats are not asking you to come out and support them, nor would anyone do so - they are simply asking people to come out and oppose Thaksin - something the silent majority already is doing.
Discussion 5 : 01/11/2012 at 05:26 AM
Although,without doubt,Thaksin and his cronies have reclaimed the Thai taxpayers money Gen Boonlert is living in "Jatuporn" land with his nonsense about 1 million people attending any of his rallies. Yes the Gov't is full of corruption, being led by a master of it, but the people have spoken at the last election and have, as would be predicted in an Asian "democracy",elected those that spent the most on their campaigns,those that have powerful connections,those that are part of the Shinawatra patronage circle and those that can easily fool a very unsophisticated electorate.Any skeletons of corruption in your history as a General Mr Boonlert?
Discussion 6 : 01/11/2012 at 04:41 AM
The logic of this group seems to be quiet simple and straightforward. If there are new elections, the PT will buy the necessary votes and brainwashed people will help the PT to win the elections again. That is why PT is not worried. The only way is a peoples power or military coup and to set up an interims government with good and honest people. Most of Thais don’t want another coup, but many are so frustrated and feel helpless, they don’t care anymore how the PT government will be ousted. The aim of this group is to topple this government and what comes after that is another story.
Discussion 7 : 01/11/2012 at 03:30 AM
RE: D2 It is pretty obvious who wants to promote reconciliation and who wants to promote division. I have yet to see even one act of reconciliation from the Pitak Siam group....They are still under the mistaken idea that the people want coups to determine who governs and they are determined to pick a fight with someone to induce one.
Discussion 8 : 01/11/2012 at 03:23 AM
Well, that's what election is for. So, if they think they have enough vote to defeat PTP in the next election, why are they wasting time and energy here? Demonstrations don't win election but voting does, OK?
Discussion 9 : 01/11/2012 at 02:56 AM
I am always surprise to see that all this is because the 2006 coup of the man from Dubai...and the paid friends that want to bring him back ...no reconciliation ,just hate and just revenge to show that Dubai man and is reds will win and not loose face ...no matter what happend( the red dont accept the change and want to control everything by putting redcontrol box in everysmall town and city ) they want to be right and bring the fugitive back ...Thailand has a big problem now ..and it will last for longtime because the goverment dont have the guts to concentrate on the real Thai problem .. reconciliation ,creating jobs,and the south crisis
Discussion 10 : 01/11/2012 at 01:35 AM
Please K. Boonlert, stop speaking about coups and closing the country! You have started a movement which could actually in the end topple this 'government', but the glorious feeling following the first overly successfull meeting, and inflated speeches, might alienate the masses which in the end you will need to achieve your goal, whenever... You're not Thaksin, nobody needs a second one, stay on track, behave in a modest way, as it mostly becomes best for real Thai people!
Discussion 11 : 01/11/2012 at 12:39 AM
For those people concerned about reconciliation of Thai people, it is only about money and power. It is not in the interest of the opposition to reconcile. Their only interest is to regain control of the country by whatever means available.
Discussion 12 : 31/10/2012 at 10:32 PM
I am virulently anti-PTP and anti-Thaksin. Their motives are very questionable and I expect they will seriously damage Thailand in the long run. But, I am very disturbed by the dangerous comments of this "general" and I don't think his motives are at all justified. It's time that a real concerted parliamentary opposition be created that can field credible and persuasive alternative policies that can topple the government in an election. That's the only means to long-lasting and sustainable positive change in Thailand.
Discussion 13 : 31/10/2012 at 10:24 PM
Gen Boonlert: "The most important thing to do first is to bring down the government. The people must help to accomplish this goal. Don't allow corruption to stay. It's no long tolerable," he said. I am totally agree with above paragraph that corruption is no longer tolerable! It is a cancer in Thai society.
Discussion 14 : 31/10/2012 at 10:01 PM
dickemery 12 - "he speaks for 70% of the population" "Should Yingluck be given the opportunity to continue to work? 1. Yes, she should have the opportunity to continue to work, 83.6% 2. No, she should not have the opportunity, 16.4%" - ABAC poll, Sept 4-8, 2012
Discussion 15 : 31/10/2012 at 09:45 PM
the general needs to be more diplomatic and keep his thoughts to himself but he speaks for 70% of the population,the people want decency,law abiding politicans who can serve all the people and justice for all people,good luck and power back to the majority from a vote buying regime
Discussion 16 : 31/10/2012 at 09:43 PM
drsmith 10 - "this government has to go before it completely bankrupts Thailand." "Cabinet approves B2.25tn 2012 budget...The 350 billion baht deficit is about 3 per cent of the estimated gross domestic product (GDP), about 16.7 per cent less, proportionately, than the 2011 budget spending deficit of 420 billion baht." - BangkokPost, 2011 "The 2013 budget exceeds the 2012 budget by 20 billion baht, but the budget deficit went down from 400 billion baht in 2012 to 300 billion baht, according to the reports." - BangkokPost, 2012
Discussion 17 : 31/10/2012 at 09:12 PM
The general is right, this government has to go before it completely bankrupts Thailand. With no system of checks and balances to prevent the government from corruptly robbing the country blind this is the only way. The general is also correct, there is no such thing as a good politician in Thailand. They are excessively weathly, work for themselves to gain as much money and power as they can while holding office. Nothing is ever done for the people, nothing and the people sink further into economic despair each day.
Discussion 18 : 31/10/2012 at 09:11 PM
Now it is clear what the intention is it is time for Thais and Farangs to truly understand what is at stake here. This ex-general, not only in favour of a coup but also for shutting of the country. Thaksin has his down faults but is this the only alternative - a military dictatorship! Please wake up and realise that this guy is serious, they will go this far. Thailand is going backwards as the rest of the region moves forward. Wake up people.
Discussion 19 : 31/10/2012 at 07:56 PM
"No matter who comes to serve [in the government] is only focused on politics and economy but overlook the [issue of] unity of the Thai people. Thus, divisions have existed since 1932, and the 2006 coup has caused the most – but the real reason of the coup is the need for unity because no [civil] government whatsoever has created a strong enough one." - Gen Sonthi, April 20, 2012
Discussion 20 : 31/10/2012 at 07:51 PM
"Whoever makes an appearance to the public by words, writings or any other means which is not an act within the purpose of the Constitution ... To bring about a change in the Laws of the Country or the Government by the use of force or violence; To raise unrest and disaffection amongst the people in a manner likely to cause disturbance in the country; or To cause the people to transgress the laws of the Country, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding seven years." - Section 116, Thai Criminal Code
Discussion 21 : 31/10/2012 at 07:12 PM
I have often found my self in heated debates about whether or not Thais understand democracy. I have taken the position that they do. However, this article gives my opponents "ammunition" to use against me.
Discussion 22 : 31/10/2012 at 06:32 PM
When are these people going to understand that the majority of the people want this government. Maybe that is why you never hear them calling for new elections rather they just try to forceably take over or stage some sort of coup.
Discussion 23 : 31/10/2012 at 06:31 PM
A very scary comment that Seh Ai would want to close down the country.Im beginning to think as a tourist that Thailand is heading for a very bad time yet again.This could damage Thai and foreign industries and Tourism very badly,something Thailand does not need.Why should some people be so intent on causing so much unrest really confuses me and many other people.We have enough unrest in the middle east,lets not see that here in good old Thailand,come on wake up.
Discussion 24 : 31/10/2012 at 06:23 PM
It is high time for the Main Stream Media to take a firm stand. There can be no more sitting on the fence by the MSM. Silence is a form of complicity. And reporting without taking a stand is the same as silence.
Discussion 25 : 31/10/2012 at 06:02 PM
Good to see that reconciliation is moving alone steadily.
Discussion 26 : 31/10/2012 at 05:53 PM
I am think Seh Ai comment about make dictatorship and close country is not good promotion for Thai industries and foreign investers. It make me very sad that people attend his protest.

Back to top

More From Bangkokpost.com