The prime minister has ruled out the possibility of an imminent coup, as he does not see conditions for one.

Meanwhile, the deputy prime minister in charge of national security denied that the government is behind the rumor of a self-coup, as alleged by a Pheu Thai Party MP.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he is convinced there will be no coup as rumored over the past week, given that there are no conditions for one.

He added that he cannot see why a coup would be necessary at a time like this, when the political climate remains normal and the economy is regaining strength.

The premier spoke during his weekly Sunday television address via video conference from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister in charge security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban denied that the government was behind the rumor of a self-coup, as claimed by Pheu Thai Party MP for Samut Prakarn Pracha Prasopdi, and said the opposition party is trying to confuse the public with false accusations.

Personal spokesperson to the prime minister, Thepthai Senapong, stated, likewise, that there is no reason for the government to mount a coup itself and that the Democrat Party does not advocate any activities regarded as unconstitutional.

He deemed Pracha’s claims as groundless and inconsistent. He said that a 54-year-old general with a name starting with “W”, who was alleged to be planning a coup, should be a graduate of the Army class of 15 or 16, rather than the class of 11.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the New Politics Party, Suriyasai Katasila, commented that there are four conditions that could make way for a coup, including a growing effort to overthrow the monarchy, instability in the Army, challenges to the judiciary power, and a rift within the government coalitions over constitutional amendments.

Yesterday, the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship held a special seminar titled “The Red-shirt Group’s Anti-Coup Mission.”

The seminar was centered on opposition towards a military coup and guidelines for red-shirt movements in pressuring the government.

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