Thai former PM says coup is way out for political turmoil

BANGKOK, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's former deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who resigned from the cabinet for ordering police attacks on People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrations on Tuesday, said during an interview by local media that a military-led coup d'etat is the only way to resolve the political deadlock.

In an exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post published on Friday, Chavalit said the answer lies with army chief Gen. Anupong Paojinda, who has repeatedly ruled out a coup.

Chavalit said Anupong should immediately return power after staging a coup to allow an interim government to be installed and tackle the political turmoil.

"There is no other way out. A House dissolution cannot solve the problem. The problem can be solved by three institutions -- the monarchy, which remains politically neutral, the military, which appears to be not interested in intervening, and the government, which stays above the problem," he said.

"So I see a putsch. After the military steps in, power should immediately be returned to the people and an interim government can be formed in which every party takes part... Tell him (Anupong) not to be afraid. After he does it, he should pull out and let the people take it from there," Chavalit was quoted as saying.

Chavalit, who resigned from his cabinet post after Tuesday's clashes between police and anti-government protestors, also suggested there was no need to abolish the entire constitution after a coup.

Certain articles of the constitution should be suspended to allow for the appointment of a prime minister and cabinet members who represent all sectors of society, he said.

On Tuesday, the police clashed with thousands of PAD members who besieged the Parliament House, leaving at least two dead and 430 injured.