Fresh on the heels of "We're not having a Coup"

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[color:blue]Show of strength to protect monarchy.

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Soldiers have thrown their support behind army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha's stance to protect the monarchy, with more than 1,000 infantrymen gathering [color:purple](like they had a choice...)[/color] for a military exercise in Bangkok.

 

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Drenched to the skin, a soldier from one of nine battalions of the 1st Division of the King’s Guards, still manages a smile. The soldiers were conducting an exercise at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen yesterday. The division was a major force in past coups. APICHIT JINAKUL[/color]

 

Tuesday's exercise was also seen as a show of support for the army chief.

 

Three battalions of infantrymen, or about 1,100 soldiers, showed up [color:purple](like they had a choice...)[/color] at the 11th Infantry Regiment of the King's Guard in Bang Khen district for the military exercise amid heavy rain.

 

The training involved various types of weapons, armoured personnel carriers and helicopters.

 

In his speech to the troops, Maj Gen Kampanat Ruddit, commander of the 1st Infantry Division of the King's Guard urged all soldiers to uphold discipline and the integrity of the uniform and to serve the country and His Majesty the King.

 

"All from the 1st Infantry Regiment are the King's soldiers. Hence, you must be ready to act on commands of your superiors," Maj Gen Kampanat told the gathering of infantrymen.

 

He told them to have faith in their commanders and to strictly obey their orders, and insisted that all soldiers should share the army chief's stance.

 

His remarks followed Gen Prayuth's order for the Judge Advocate General Department to file lese majeste charges against Puea Thai party-list MP and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leader Jatuporn Prompan, Puea Thai MP for Udon Thani Wichian Khaokham and former Puea Thai MP for Nakhon Ratchasima Suporn Atthawong after speeches at last Sunday's rally marking the first anniversary of the April 10, 2010 clashes between protesters and soldiers at Kok Wua intersection.

 

"All soldiers share a common stance with the army chief. We fully support the army chief to protect the monarchy, as we have sworn our allegiance to His Majesty," said Maj Gen Kampanat.

 

Col Apirat Kongsompong, commander of the 11th Infantry Regiment, yesterday insisted the gathering of his soldiers had no political implications, but it simply demonstrated their battle-readiness to deal with all situations.

 

Over recent years, Col Apirat has often led his troops to show their readiness to protect the monarchy, said a source.

 

When UDD-affiliated army specialist Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, or Seh Daeng, made a critical remark against then-army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda last year, Col Apirat led his soldiers to pledge their support for Gen Anupong.

 

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