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BANGKOK, Jan 5 - In an attempt to defuse rumours of a new coup following the deadly bomb attacks in the Thai capital on New Year's Eve, Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), today said the military remained united and he believed no one thought of staging another coup.
Gen. Sonthi, who led the military coup last September 19 and toppled the elected government of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said in an interview on an army-run television station that the CNS remained united since it launched the coup until now and he believed the idea of launching another coup would be out of the question.
His denial followed rumours on conflicts both within the CNS, and between the CNS and the government of Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont, which it installed, over how to deal with ousted ex-premier Thaksin.
The conflicts have reportedly intensified following the New Year's Eve bombings here which, according to Gen. Surayud, three persons died and 42 others wounded, including nine foreigners.
Gen. Sonthi, who also is army chief, said he strongly believed that politicians who had lost power and benefit were behind the Sunday's bombing although the actual perpetrators tried to shift the blame to
insurgents operating in the three deep southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Prime Minister Gen. Surayud said earlier that he believed the bombings were caused by politicians who had lost power and advantage.
A sharp increase in the number of troops on the streets here, and at bus and train stations, has been visible since the bombing incidents.
Troops from an army camp in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani have also moved from their base, he said, but the movement is part of a regular troop reshuffle for those fighting against insurgents in the three southern provinces.
In another development, CNS members, including Gen. Sonthi, Friday morning met with Prime Minister Gen. Surayud at the Government House, and were expected to discuss coup rumours.
The talks lasted for about an hour, but the prime minister withheld comment until giving a press conference Friday afternoon. (TNA)
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