PM Defends Action against Pro-Thaksin General

The prime minister said the M-79 grenade attack at the Army's headquarters last week was aimed at making big headlines only.

Meanwhile, the deputy premier assured that the arrest of Major General Kattiya Sawasdipol will not lead to violent reaction from the red-shirt group. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva commented on last week's M-79 grenade attack at the Royal Thai Army headquarters, saying he believes the incident was not life-threatening but only aimed at making news headlines. Abhisit said he has asked Army Commander-in-Chief General Anupong Paochinda about the matter and was told that nothing was likely aimed at stirring confusion or harming senior officials. The PM noted that he does not believe that the incident signals possible violence in the future. The premier said seeking arrest warrant against Major General Kattiya Sawasdipol, an Army specialist better known as Seh Daeng, and his aide is lawful after yesterday's raids at their homes yielded a number of war weapons. Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban, meanwhile, voiced his confidence that the red-shirt group would not violently retaliate the arrest of one of their major proponents. Suthep called for a crackdown on the spread of illegal weapons in order to protect the nation's image. He rebutted a news report on a rift within the military, saying the Armed Forces leaders work in harmony and consider public interest and the Monarchy as top priorities. The deputy premier also said his meeting yesterday with the Royal Thai Army was to map out security measures against the red-shirt protesters if they would attempt to seize Suvarnabhumi Airport. He said that the group would be allowed to express their political opinions in a peaceful manner and the need to enforce the internal security act will be decided later.