ARMY TELLS AMBASSADOR IT WANTS PEACEFUL,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 003505

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV TH
SUBJECT: ARMY TELLS AMBASSADOR IT WANTS PEACEFUL,
DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION

REF: BANGKOK 3492

Classified By: Ambassador Eric G. John, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. In a November 28 meeting, Deputy Army
Commander General Jiradej Kotcharat told the Ambassador that
the only solution to the political crisis was via peaceful,
democratic means. The Army was concerned that there was no
way to take back the airports without massive damage to the
facilities. General Anupong's November 26 suggestion that
Somchai dissolve Parliament and the People's Alliance for
Democracy leave the airport was a consensus decision by
leaders of diverse parts of society that Army considered
neutral.


2. (C) Comment. That Jiradej and the Army have remained
solidly against a coup gives hope that a solution within the
rule of law will be possible. However, the Army's concern
that there is no way to take back the airports without
numerous casualties and substantial damage to the airports
point to a sustained crisis with no apparent solution. End
comment.

ARMY SEEKS SOLUTION VIA BOTH SIDES STEPPING BACK
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3. (C) During a November 28 meeting with Royal Thai Army
Deputy Commander General Jiradej Kotcharat at Army
Headquarters, the Ambassador urged the military to allow a
democratic solution to the political crisis. Jiradej agreed
that there was no room for military involvement. He said
that Army Commander General Anupong Paochinda's November 26
suggestions that Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat should
dissolve Parliament and that PAD disperse from the airports
were a consensus view of the Monitoring Committee for the
Situation/Unrest in Bangkok. The Army considered the
proposal representative of neutral figures from academia,
civil society, bureaucrats and business. The Committee had
decisively decided that the suggestions were the only way out
of the conflict.


4. (C) Jiradej said that the Army had hoped that the
government and the PAD would listen to the suggestion and
that elections would allow the public to choose a new
government. Sadly, both sides were too firmly entrenched to
take a step back. Jiradej said that the Army and the
Committee would look for another strategy to solve the
crisis. Jiradej acknowledged that a pro-Thaksin party would
win a new election, but said the results would certainly take
away any legitimacy from the PAD. It would be very difficult
for the PAD if it did not accept the results of a new
election.


5. (C) The Ambassador stressed that, due to the deep
divisions described by Jiradej, only a political solution
would solve the crisis. The Deputy Army Commander agreed
with the Ambassador that any solution would be within the
democratic system. Jiradej said the Army would remain
outside the political process and only wanted to be increase
professionalism through training. A coup would be
counterproductive as the Army believed that the court cases
against former Prime Minister Thaksin would no longer have
legitimacy. Jiradej said the Army, as a defender of
security, wanted to apologize for the suffering of foreigners
caught up in the political dispute.


6. (C). Jiradej said that Thais expected that their
government should be able to look after the people and
maintain social order. Unfortunately, the Somchai government
had proven that it could not meet these expectations and was
corrupt. It was unable to maintain law and order and had
strengthened the deep divisions in Thai society. The lowest
point had now arrived as the nation was suffering after the
government was unable to maintain Suvarnabhumi Airport as the
gateway to Thailand.


7. (C) Jiradej said that even though the formal pattern of

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elections in Thailand was once every five years, a
responsible government should know when to step down and
allow for a new government. Governments around the world had
demonstrated the willingness to accept responsibility and
step down when necessary.

TAKING BACK AIRPORTS WOULD CAUSE GREAT DISRUPTION
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8. (C) Turning to plans to take back the airports, Jiradej
said that earlier November 28 he had attended a meeting with
Interior Minister Kowit Wattana. Jiradej said he had shared
the Army's opinion that any action to clear the airports of
protesters could result in hundreds of casualties. Violence
on this scale would rally supporters to PAD cause, Jiradej
said. Furthermore, forcefully removing the PAD could result
in the closure of the airports for many months. Jiradej said
that damage to the control systems of the airport could not
be avoided. Also, chemicals and flammable substances were
stored at the airport and would likely be used in defense by
the PAD.


9. (C) The Ambassador asked if a solution through negotiation
would be possible. Jiradej doubted this was an option as the
PAD was determined to bring down the Somchai government. The
PAD saw the government to be the nominee of the former Prime
Minister Thaksin and no compromise was possible. Jiradej
said it was well-known that Somchai made decisions at Cabinet
meetings after phone consultations with Thaksin.

PAD LEADERS WILL NOT LISTEN TO OTHERS
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10. (C) The Ambassador asked Jiradej if PAD Major General
Chamlong Srimuang would listen to the opinion of the
international community now that American and other nations'
citizens were suffering. The PAD leaders would not listen to
anyone, Jiradej said, they were totally preoccupied with
ridding the country of Thaksin's influence.
JOHN