Somchai government holds responsility on brutal crackdown on protesters : Army chief

Somchai government holds responsibility on police's brutal crackdown on protesters and it should investigate why the operation turned violent, resulting in deaths and injuries, Army Commander in Chief Anupong Paochinda said Friday.

"There are various ways that the government can show its responsibility on the incident. I will not say how, but they know what should be done to help the country " Anupong said.

It is not right to call for the army to do the coup d' etat, Anupong said, adding coup was not good for the country.

"All agree that coup d'etat cannot end the ongoing political crisis in the country. It will be interesting if it could solve the problems," he said.

Commenting on growing pressure on the army to step in to solve the political problmes, Anupong said he did not feel any pressure but discouraging and low-ebb morality.

"What I am saying now seems to go beyond the army's role," Anupong said, "but I have no choice, I have to speak out."

He was also referring to former deputy prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh who implied that the army should stage a coup.

Anupong said Gen Chavalit should better explain what happened on October 7 when police violently disperse the anti-government protesters because he was deputy premier who oversaw police department.

Chavalit resigned as deputy prime minister a day after the dispersal.