BANGKOK - THAILAND'S powerful army chief on Tuesday vowed there would be no coup in the kingdom, despite pleas by anti-government protesters for the military to step in to end the current political crisis.
Up to 10,000 protesters who are trying to topple the government besieged the temporary offices of the prime minister at Bangkok's old airport on Tuesday, while hundreds more descended on the military headquarters.
Local media said the protesters planned to submit a letter to General Songkitti Jaggabatara, the ceremonial head of the armed forces, asking the military to take sides in the conflict.
'The armed forces have agreed that a coup cannot solve our country's problems and we will try to weather the current situation and pass this critical time,' army chief General Anupong Paojinda told reporters.
'The military will use all of its resources to prevent a clash,' he said, but added that he was confident there would be no bloodshed.
The People's Alliance for Democracy protest group has repeatedly called on General Anupong to intervene to overthrow the democratically-elected government.
PAD protests in early 2006 against then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra helped lead to a bloodless military putsch that ousted him in September that year.
Anti-government leaders are hoping to repeat that feat and overthrow Thaksin's allies in the People Power Party, which was elected last December.
Current Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is Thaksin's brother-in-law.
The army top brass has distanced itself from the PAD, but General Anupong has implied Mr Somchai should resign to take responsibility for clashes between police and protesters last month which left two people dead and nearly 500 injured.
The PAD launched their campaign in late May, accusing the PPP of trying to amend the constitution to help Thaksin escape corruption charges.
Protesters seized the main Bangkok government offices in late August, forcing Mr Somchai and his cabinet to work out of a disused terminal at Bangkok's old Don Mueang airport.
The army has historically played a key role in politics in Thailand, which has seen 18 coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. -- AFP
