UDPATE: We have a transcript, of some sorts, and a full translation of Gen Sonthi's TV interview.

UDPATE: New Mandala has blogged on the TV interview here.

I have previously blogged about the lack of official Thai government response on Burma (here, here, and here).

The following is from has been forwarded onto me and I have confirmed with the original source of the transcript. The person does not want the transcript attributed to them - understandable in the current environment with half of Thailand still remaining under martial law. It was transcribed directly from the TV interview so it might not be 100% accurate, but you can gain a sense and even if a few words a missing it doesn't change the message it conveys. That is the Burmese junta has friends with their military counterparts in Thailand. The TV interview was was on TITV last night and was with Thai coup leader and Army C-in-C Gen. Sonthi:

"Regarding the dispersal of demonstrations, the Burmese government did not use military force. Police was deployed. That was the right approach. It has been used by every country—that the military must step back to let police take charge. But the actual tactics may vary from country to country. However, I think there is no violence in the current situation. Everything is under control. The Burmese government is still in control of the situation. On the reports that Buddhist monks were assaulted [during the dispersal of demonstrations], that cannot be concluded just from looking at the photos. As it happened in Thailand, sometimes people used violence against officials. So officials may have to defend themselves. There has been no political suppression. Burmese authorities should understand that it—getting Buddhist monks involved in the demonstrations—is a tactic used by demonstrators. So Burmese authorities understand that they cannot use violence against Buddhist monks. They must use soft approach. I was informed that Burma uses dialogue to solve the problem, and senior Buddhist monks have helped negotiate to end the problem. I do not think Burma will care [about international pressure], because it does not really depend on anyone. Burma has been taking care of itself all along. It does not accept interference from outside. Moreover, there are many countries that have discretely helped protect Burma—such as China and Korea. That is because Burma has plenty natural resources that many major powers want to have their hand on. We are neighbor [of Burma]. If we get involved, that will undermine our relationship."

COMMENT: Obviously, this was for a domestic audience and comes after the Thai military said last month that Burma was the model for Thailand to follow. If anyone has digitally taped the interview, I suggest they upload it to YouTube and other video-sharing websites so the interview can be confirmed and a full transcript can be compared.

Other media outlets have not reported the full comments of what Gen. Sonthi said. The Bangkok Post only reports:

Speaking about the situation in Burma, Gen Sonthi, who is also army commander-in-chief, quoted a Thai military attaché in Burma as saying that the military junta had consolidated its forces by increasing the number of soldiers to handle the protesters. However, the situation had not yet reached boiling point.

Then again it comes only a few weeks after Gen. Sonthi went to Burma himself on a farewell visit where he was greeted with open arms:

Gen Sonthi had also instructed battalion commanders to befriend the Burmese soldiers so that border problems will be easier to solve, the source said.

Gen Sonthi’s visit was his third to Burma as army chief. He met Snr Gen Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), and Gen Maung Aye, deputy SPDC chairman and the Burmese army chief.

Gen Sonthi said they discussed the border situation as well as Burmese and Thai political issues.

Gen Than Shwe and Gen Maung Aye were very satisfied with Thailand’s handling of policies towards Burma during his two years as army chief, he said.

COMMENT: I guess it is a junta-junta thing that us mere mortals don't understand. Should one ask where is The Nation? The Bangkok Post clearly stated their position in an editorial this morning:

While the courage shown by the Burmese monks is praiseworthy and deserving of support the world over, it is sad that most nations, including Thailand, have chosen to remain silent for fear of offending the military rulers, as the Burmese people are left to fend for themselves. Although the initial crackdown on protesters was confined to the use of tear gas and baton charges, there is no guarantee that the Burmese military will not resort to lethal weapons to crush the defenceless Burmese monks and lay people.
...
As Burma's immediate neighbour, Thailand's complete silence vis-a-vis the ongoing protests in Rangoon and the violent break-up by riot police is appalling and a big letdown. It would not have been surprising were this attitude adopted by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is known for his business links with the Burmese junta. But for the Surayud government, which claims high ethical standards, it is incomprehensible why it does not even have the courage to issue a statement pleading for restraint.

COMMENT: What can one say?

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