THAILAND MILITARY COUP LEADER BRIEFS FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005814 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2016 TAGS: PGOV PINS PHUM MOPS ASEC TH SUBJECT: THAILAND MILITARY COUP LEADER BRIEFS FOREIGN ENVOYS, PROMISES TO APPOINT CIVILIAN PRIME MINISTER WITHIN TWO WEEKS Classified By: Ambassador Ralph Boyce, Reason 1.4 (b) (d) ¶1. 1. (C) Summary: The Thai military-led "Council for Democratic Reform Under the Constitutional Monarchy" (CDRM) held a briefing for the Bangkok diplomatic corps and defense attaches at Royal Thai Army Headquarters in Bangkok on September 20. Speaking for the CDRM, Army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Bunyaratkalin said that his group had deposed the Thaksin-led caretaker government in response to "a lack of political confidence; rampant nepotism; corruption; unprecedented social divisions in Thailand; the inability of administrative institutions to function properly without political interference; social injustice," and offenses to the Thai monarch. Sonthi pledged that within two weeks the CDRM will put in place a temporary constitution and appoint a civilian Prime Minister, along with a provisional legislative body. These groups will work to draft a new constitution and implement political reform, thus paving the way for popular elections. Sonthi stressed that the military's goal is "to make democracy a reality in Thailand." While he stated that Thaksin "has not done anything legally incorrect" and is free to return to Thailand, Sonthi was evasive when pressed to explain exactly what had prompted the coup. Sonthi's overall performance in justifying the coup was uneven at best, but the good news here is that he has committed to move toward civilian rule in two weeks. We should welcome this commitment and hold the CDRM to it. End Summary. The Council for Democratic Reform Under a Constitutional Monarchy ¶2. (C) The Thai military-led "Council for Democratic Reform Under the Constitutional Monarchy" (CDRM) held a briefing for the Bangkok diplomatic corps and defense attaches at Royal Thai Army Headquarters in Bangkok on September 20. While the briefing was conducted by Army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Bunyaratkalin, the other five members of the CDRM were in attendance as well. (Note: The CDRM consists of General Ruengroj Mahasaranond (Supreme Commander),Chairman; General Sonthi Bunyaratkalin (Army Commander-in-Chief),Leader; Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanon (Navy Commander-in-Chief, 1st Deputy Leader; Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukphasuk (Air Force Commander-in-Chief),2nd Deputy Leader; Police General Kowit Watthana (Police Commissioner General),3rd Deputy Leader; and General Winai Phattiyakul (Secretary General of the National Security Council),Secretary General.) Reasons for the Coup -------------- ¶3. (C) Sonthi told the attendees that the CDRM members had acted due to "a lack of political confidence; rampant nepotism; corruption; unprecedented social divisions in Thailand; the inability of administrative institutions to function properly without political interference; and social injustice. Last but not least, there were words and actions that undermined the very basis of our society." (Comment: This last point is a clear reference to lest majeste, the committing of an offense against the Thai King.). For these reasons, said Sonthi, the CDRM's members "have received numerous requests to act, to bring peace and normalcy back to the country." He added, "We have acted to solve the existing stalemate and remove uncertainty and lack of confidence which have existed for too long in Thailand." Sonthi pledged that Thailand would continue to adhere to the UN Charter, respect its international treaties and agreements, and work to have good relations with foreign countries. The CDRM Leader said that his group "has received cooperation from all sectors of Thai society and encountered no resistance." Last night, he said, CDRM members had an audience with the King and Queen. Plans for a Civilian Government -------------- ¶4. (C) Sonthi laid out his plans for a return to civilian rule. First, in two weeks the CDRM will put in place a temporary constitution and appoint a civilian Prime Minister, along with a provisional legislative body. These groups will work to draft a new constitution and implement political reform, thus paving the way for popular elections. Why Now? -------------- ¶5. (C) In the follow-up question-and-answer session, the UK Charge d'Affaires noted that two days ago the military (including Sonthi) were being quoted as ruling out a coup and stating that elections were the right way forward. What, he asked, had suddenly changed and prompted a military coup? Sonthi replied, "The military has been watching the situation BANGKOK 00005814 002 OF 002 with concern and patience, but recently we have learned certain facts about the (Thaksin) caretaker government. This information convinced us that further waiting would not result in democracy, so we acted. Our purpose is to make democracy a reality." ¶6. (C) The Swiss Ambassador asked how long Thailand would be under martial law, and if Thailand's borders remain open. Sonthi did not respond to the first question, but affirmed that Thailand's borders currently are open. (Note: Other sources report at least a part of the border with Burma is closed. End Note) What About Thaksin and His Cabinet? -------------- ¶7. (C) The Japanese Ambassador asked what the CDRM intended to do about Thaksin, his family, and the members of his cabinet. Sonthi replied that "Thaksin, his family, and his cabinet will not have their legal rights taken away." He added that Thaksin is free to return to Thailand. What Has Thaksin Done? -------------- ¶8. (C) The UK Charge noted that Sonthi had said that the coup was prompted by "certain facts" concerning Thaksin which, while unspecified, must be fairly serious given the actions they provoked. Yet, the CDRM does not have any plans to take any legal action against Thaksin. What, asked the UK Charge, has Thaksin done? Sonthi replied, "Thaksin has not done anything legally incorrect." ¶9. (C) The Australian Ambassador pressed Sonthi on his statement that the CDRM had acted in response to "numerous requests" and the pre-coup situation was a "stalemate." He asked who had made the numerous requests, and questioned whether a stalemate existed since a new Election Commission had been formed and a consensus was forming for holding elections in late November. Sonthi replied, "The people requested us to act; they were not receiving the benefits of democracy. A democracy formed by the people did not exist." Sonthi added that the formation of a new Election Commission "is a separate matter from the administration of the democratic process, which in the past was not tangible and complete." When Will Thailand Again Be a Democracy? -------------- -------------- ¶10. (C) Noting that his country currently holds the EU Presidency, the Finnish Ambassador asked 1) "When will Thailand re-join the ranks of the world's democracies"; and 2) whether Thailand is a safe destination for tourists during the upcoming holiday season. Replying to the first question, Sonthi said that "Thailand is 100 percent democratic now; our reason for action is that we want real democracy in our country." He assured the attendees that Thailand remains a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. Comment -------------- ¶11. (C) Even after making due allowance for the fact that the CDRM members had not gotten any sleep the previous night, Sonthi's performance was uneven at best. Sonthi offered either no or inadequate answers to basic questions about the restoration of democratic rule that could and should have been anticipated from an audience that included many representatives of democracies. The good news is Sonthi's assurance that a civilian Prime Minister will be appointed in two weeks. We should welcome this commitment and hold the CDRM to it. BOYCE