M41 Walker Bulldogs lined up outside the Ministry of Defense during the military coup d’état of Sep. 24, 2006.
This weekend, don’t mind the Stingray light tanks or M41 Walker Bulldogs growling through Bangkok. And count yourself lucky if you spy one of the Royal Thai Army’s new T-84 main battle tanks hulking through the capital. Just remember that they’re here for the children.
The Royal Thai Army instructed everyone yesterday to not be alarmed by the site of armored battle tanks rolling through Bangkok this coming weekend, days before the planned “shutdown” of the Thai capital on Monday. Any tanks, armored vehicles, artillery or other heavy ordnance spotted in coming days are intended for the nation’s annual celebration of young people. Anyone thinking they might relate to a possible military coup d’etat would be mistaken, the army instructed people to please keep in mind.
Thailand has seen 11 successful coups and 9 failed coups since democracy was established in 1932. That’s a rate of about one attempted coup every four years.
Children’s Day is celebrated each year in January, and this year the event happens Saturday. In a nation with a proud military tradition, the military usually features its hardware for kids to crawl around on.
According to the military’s statement, helicopters will fly in from Lopburi province between 11am and noon on Thursday, while heavy land equipment will roll in from Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Prachinburi and various army barracks later that evening, Khaosod reported.
Photo: Roger JG
