Aust calls on Thailand to continue towards democracy
Updated
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith is encouraging the Thai military to respect the wishes of the people and continue down the path to democracy. Tuesday's bloody clashes between anti-government protesters and police have heightened concerns of a possible coup. The four-month long street campaign by the People's Alliance for Democracy has raised tensions, with government's around the world urging restraint.
Presenter: Lyndel Curtis
Speakers : Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith,
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SMITH: Well we remain very concerned about Thailand, certainly we continue to advise Australians not to go anywhere near demonstrations or gatherings in Bangkok. We certainly want to see the political difficulties in Thailand resolved in a peaceful and lawful manner and we regret very much the violence that has occurred and we want to ensure that Thailand returns to a stable political situation but utilises its democratic political processes in doing so.
CURTIS: The Thai military is reported today as saying it won't stage a military coup and that it's up to the government to deal with the issue, does that give you some more confidence about the possible outcome?
SMITH: Well certainly since the PAD, Political Action group and the government started to have their difficulties or disagreements, the army has made it clear, whilst it may be called on from time to time to restore order, it's certainly not interested in seeing Thailand return to military rule, it wants the political processes to resolve these matters politically and certainly that's been the message from the army chief to date and we certainly encourage that to continue. It's very important that Thailand continues down its democratic path and doesn't revert or resort back to military rule and so far the army chiefs have made it clear that they don't see it appropriate for them to go back to military rule, I think Thai institutions including the military have come to the conclusion that military rule in the past hasn't lead to a long term advantage for Thailand so we certainly hope the view expressed by the army chiefs continues and we certainly urge all of the political players in Thailand to resolve these matters peacefully, lawfully and in accordance with Thailand's democratic, parliamentary and political structures.
