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