Is Thailand Safe? Military Ordered To Win Public Support As Coup Threat Lingers

Thailand’s army chief has instructed his forces to do whatever it takes to get the public to recognize the legitimacy of their authority. Chalermchai Sittisat's remarks came while inspecting the 1^st Army headquarters in Bangkok alongside the 1^st Army commander and other high-ranking army officials Tuesday.

The 1st Army is considered to be a significant military power in the country’s central region and the capital city of Bangkok. It played an extensive part in past and recent coups. Thailand has experienced 11 successful military coups since 1932, while also witnessing seven attempted ones.

The army plays a vital role in ensuring the government’s power, Chalermchai told local reporters. He urged members of the army to express greater unity so that the public accepts and understand its role. The army will perform at its best if the public sees that it is maintaining order in the country justly and legitimately, he said.

"If we exercise our authority justly, the people will eventually accept us," Chalermchai told local reporters. "If we think and act along the same lines, the army will move forward with honor and dignity and will become a main pillar supporting government efforts to run the country."

The Thai military had no plans to stage a coup during the general elections scheduled to be held in Thailand later this year, a former commander of the 1st Army said last month. But before becoming the head of the Thai federal government following the most recent coup in 2014, former army chief and current Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha similarly said there wasn't going to be a coup. It was only a matter of days after those comments when his military overthrew the former government. Two days of martial law were instituted and a constitution was drafted that political activists in the country said has provisions to keep the current military junta in power.

There was a 12 percent chance for another coup happening this year in Thailand, according to a Washington Post report late last month.