Prem responds to Thaksin
The Bangkok Post (31 March 2009: “Prem refutes Thaksin’s claims”), citing an INN news agency report, states that Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanond “has made a detailed rejection of … Thaksin Shinawatra’s allegations that he was behind the [2006] coup … and that he led army commanders to meet His Majesty the King during the coup.”
Prem is reported to have claimed that “he had no duty to stage a coup or authority to command Gen Sonthi to do so.” Further, “Gen Prem also said he did not lead army commanders to see His Majesty the King on Sept 19 2006, as alleged. He was already with the King at Chitralada Palace before they arrived. The Privy Council president said that after hearing about the coup that day he went to the palace about 3pm in case the King wanted to issue any special orders. The army commanders arrived later at the palace, about 5pm. He was not informed about their visit in advance. Gen Prem said his aide, Vice Adm Pajun Tamprateep, was also aware of this.”
Finally, General Prem is reported to have said that “he did not consider Thaksin his enemy, even though the deposed premier may consider him to be his opponent.”
“Detailed” may not be the appropriate description of the refutation reported in the Post, but it does appear interesting.
Based on these quotations, Prem’s account of the time he heard of the coup suggests he had knowledge in advance. The report states: “The Privy Council president said that after hearing about the coup that day he went to the palace about 3pm in case the King wanted to issue any special orders [see update below].”
Most reports claim that it was about 18:30 that Lopburi troops moved towards Bangkok arriving in Bangkok by about 21:00.
More on Prem’s role in the events leading to the military coup may be found here.
Update: Matichon’s report gives more detail regarding Prem’s comments. It shows that Prem said 9PM, not 3PM (31 March 2009: บอกให้ชัดผู้มีบารมีคือใคร”คลิปเสียง “เปรม”เคยถาม”แม้ว-อ้อ”ยันไม่ใช่ศัตรู ปฏิวัติ เขามีเหตุผลพอสมควร). If it was 9PM, then Prem was at the palace as the troops began to be deployed in the capital.
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