No more coups, pleaseThe new army chief Gen Narongphan Jitkaewtae raised hopes when he said during his first press conference that the chances of a coup are zero. However, confidence in Thailand's democracy -- which has progressed only sporadically during the past eight decades, mainly because of military coups -- plunged immediately, however, after Gen Narongphan set a condition to his vow. Indeed, Gen Narongphan could have done the country a great service had he unconditionally vowed there would be no more coups. That is why it's important for the new army chief to draw a tight line and make a clear, unmistakable statement that the army will stay away from politics and there will be no more military coups in Thailand. In the same interview, the new army chief made several points that could cheer up democracy lovers.

Source: Bangkok Post October 08, 2020 23:03 UTC