Thai General: "There was no sophisticated plan" for the coup.

AFP reported that Thai Lieutenant General Chatchalerm Chalermsukh rejected claims that before seizing power on May 22, the Thai military had planned for years to free the kingdom from the influence of controversial former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In an interview with the BBC published on June 26, Deputy Chief of Staff General Chatchalerm said: "As far as I know, there was no sophisticated planning because if there had been, it wouldn't have been logical. If you're wondering why this coup went so smoothly, it's because forces were deployed in Bangkok."

Thai soldiers patrol in front of the Government House in Bangkok after it reopened on June 2. (Source: THX/VNA)

He speculated that former Prime Minister Thaksin and his family might return to Thai politics.

He asserted: "We will not pursue Thaksin as we did before... We hope to see him return and fight against the accusations against him. If he is confident, he will win and then he will be able to return to politics."

The comment came after local media reported that protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he had advised the army commander – who led the coup – on how to handle Thaksin for four years.

According to VNA