Army concerned over weapons buildup

21 มกราคม 2557

The army is worried about the buildup of weapons and explosives in the city, but it is not time for it to become involved beyond its present duties, top officials said yesterday.

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"The situation has not yet escalated to the point where we must get involved," Gen Prayuth said yesterday, calling on the public to understand the scope of the army's duties. THITI WANNAMONTA

Army sounds alert over city weapons stockpiles

Prayuth says soldiers not yet ready to step in

Wassana Nanuam

The army has raised the alert over the possibility of more violence at anti-government protests after intelligence found weapons and explosives are being moved into Bangkok.

The army did not identify any specific groups involved in stocking up arms or their targets.

"An ill-intentioned group is mobilising weapons and bombs to stir up violence and attack its rivals," army spokesman Winthai Suwaree said yesterday, without giving any details.

It is believed powerful weapons are being smuggled with the intention of doing harm amid Bangkok's volatile political situation, he said.

The warning has raised further concerns over the political conflict, which is turning increasingly violent.

The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) was targeted on Friday and Sunday with two grenade attacks.

On Friday, one PDRC supporter was killed and 39 others wounded after a grenade was thrown into a throng of protesters while they marched on Banthat Thong Road as part of the protest group's "Bangkok shutdown" campaign.

On Sunday, 28 people were injured by grenades thrown near the rally stage at the Victory Monument.

PDRC supporters have accused the government and the red-shirt United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) of being behind both attacks.

But pro-government supporters and the red shirts have responded, saying the attacks were set up by the PDRC and military officers to stir up anti-government sentiment.

Col Winthai yesterday called on both sides to stop pointing the finger at each other and give police time to find the real culprits, to stop them instigating further violence.

According to initial investigations, the grenades used in both attacks were the same type – the RGD-5 made in Russia and China – Col Winthai said. Police have records of people in possession of this type of grenade, he said.

The army will continue to support the police-led Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order in tightening security measures. More joint army-police checkpoints would be set up.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday it was apparent that a group of people wanted to use violence to solve problems related to the ongoing political situation. However, soldiers will not come out to help oversee peace.

The grenade attacks have spurred renewed calls for the army to get involved, and some people have begun accusing it of not being active enough.

"The situation has not yet escalated to the point where we must get involved," Gen Prayuth said, calling on the public to understand the scope of the army's duties.

Whether soldiers will come out depends on the degree of violence. The overall situation is still under control, he said.