APSN | Army chief warns military will intervene if Thai unrest worsens

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Army chief warns military will intervene if Thai unrest worsens

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Lindsay Murdoch, Bangkok – Thailand's army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has warned the military will intervene if violence worsens, with key government departments paralysed and parts of Bangkok shut down.

"Whenever conflicts become violent and insoluble the military will have to solve them," General Prayuth said, in the strongest indication yet that the military is willing to take over. "We will do our best to take care of the nation and use the right methods," he said.

The military has staged 18 coups or attempted coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. But during more than two months of unrest, General Prayuth, 59, has insisted the military wanted to remain neutral in the conflict that has become increasingly violent as protesters have sought to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

General Prayuth warned people stirring up sentiments and threatening government officials their actions were unlawful and urged the government to take action against them. He also said the military is gathering evidence against people who have been involved in violence and would hand it over to the police.

Protesters have escalated their campaign over the past week by blocking government offices, taking over major intersections and marching across Bangkok, defying a state of emergency that came into force on Wednesday.

They have turned to targeting the Election Commission, which is trying to organise a general election called for February 2. On Wednesday, they surrounded a Defence Ministry office where Ms Yingluck was meeting, forcing her to flee through a rear entrance.

There are growing doubts the government will be able to hold the election. The Election Commission is seeking legal advice about a delay, underscoring the depth of division in the country.

Somchai Srisuttiyakorn, one of five commissioners, said he does not believe an election will resolve the turmoil. "The Election Commission must arrange elections, but we must be sure the election benefits society," Mr Somchai said.

National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut said some media executives would be called in for talks to try and make sure media coverage does not lead to provocation.

"We are not blocking the media. We will invite some for talks," he said. The opposition has its own television channel, BlueSky.