RAWBangkok

The quotes below are taken from a Bangkok Post newspaper story:

There have been rumours of a new coup since the leaders of the armed forces, led by Army Commander Gen Anupong Paojinda, appeared on a television programme on Thursday and called on Mr Somchai to take responsibility for the Oct 7 clashes between police and protesters. The military’s move was perceived as a threat to stage a coup.

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Prime Minister Somchai has reportedly exercised extreme caution to avoid being captured to make way for a coup.

He took a chartered flight, instead of the usual military jet, to Ubon Ratchathani yesterday to visit soldiers wounded in border clashes with Cambodian troops.

Mr Somchai originally planned to travel to a hospital in Sapprasitthiprasong camp in the province with Gen Anupong and take an army helicopter to visit Thai troops near the Preah Vihear temple on the Thailand-Cambodia border.

He cancelled his visit to Pha Mor E Daeng for a situation briefing.

A military source close to Mr Somchai said the prime minister was urged to be cautious following Gen Anupong’s televised comments.