Former Army chief General Sonthi Boonyarattaglin, who led the September 19, 2006 coup that toppled the Thaksin regime, has admitted that the failure of the post-coup government to continue the “Thaksin economic model” had polarised the country.

“Had we followed in the footsteps of Thaksin especially in implementing populist policies, our society would have not been torn,” he said.

He said he had instructed the Cabinet to retain populist policies that helped improve the lot of the common people. Sonthi said his remarks were sincere and he did not fear losing face.

“This is a separate matter (from the coup). Thaksin had inflicted great damage on the country, which has become even more apparent today. We do not accept that but we accept only the good things that he did. Whoever does good things, we have to help continue the mission,” he said.

The Nation