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Has the Junta's pitbull bitten off more than he can chew?:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Outlook/050307_out01.jpg
[B]Saprang accused of squandering Bt7.2 million in foreign trip
General Saprang Kalayanamitr, assistant secretary general of the Council for National Security(CNS) and chairman of Airports of Thailand (AOT), Monday came under attack for squandering Bt7.2 million on a weeklong trip to England and Germany last week.
Saprang returned to Bangkok yesterday and refused to talk to reporters.
Thai Rak Thai Party executive Chamlong Krutkhuntode alleged Saprang had disbursed unrealistic expenses and voiced suspicion on inflated costs to have paid for accompanying family members not on the official list of the AOT delegation.
On Tuesday, Saprang led the 13 member delegation to study safety and security measures at major airports in Europe.
"Work was just a pretext for the overseas trip because so many delegates and accompanying members share the same family name," Chamlong said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30028535
Thanks to Bangkok Pundit (http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/) for pointing out this cached Bangkok Post article from its Outlook section:
Little big SOLDIER
WASANA NANUAM
He calls himself a warrior, having fought in more than 200 battles in the course of his military career. His last brought the Thaksin regime down. And the battles for the little big soldier are far from over.
"I fear nothing," roars Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, 59, deputy secretary-general of the Council for National Security. It is the same thundering voice and fearless talk that has earned this slightly-built man the nickname "lek prik khi nu" - tiny, yet hot as a chilli.
"People like me have nothing to be afraid of. I am clean. Those who are corrupt, however, must be afraid of me. And the bigger the player they are, the more I like to tackle them."
Among the eight leaders of the junta in the Council for National Security, Gen Saprang is second only to the coup leader, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, in being in the media limelight. And it is not only for his outspoken straight-talking that makes such good sound bites.
Among his tasks for the junta: Unearthing the wrongdoings of the previous regime, within the deadline of one year; leading the junta's special operation to monitor the movements of the ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra; chairing the Airport of Thailand's board to investigate corruption at Suvarnabhumi Airport; and chairing the board of ToT, the state-owned telecommuncation company, to control the damage from the sale of Thaksin's Shin Corp, believed to put national security under threat.
His hawkish approach, plus his efforts to expose the massive corruption at Suvarnabhumi Airport, has made him many enemies along the way, however.
"But after so many wars in my life, I have nothing to be afraid of any more," he insists. "What I am doing now may be risky, but I am willing to do it for the sake of my country."
Pundits say Gen Saprang is entrusted with so much responsibility by the junta because of his crucial role in the coup from the start.
According to a highly-placed source who asked for anonymity, Gen Saprang had been considering the possibility of a coup for months before September 19. "He waited until the conditions were right to bring it up with Gen Sonthi. For he knew that without support from the army commander, the coup would never be successful."
The source also revealed that Gen Saprang had a good rapport with Sondhi Limthongkul, the media mogul who spearheaded the anti-Thaksin campaigns. This led to a rumour that the coup resulted from the military joining hands with Sondhi and the People's Alliance for Democracy.
When Thaksin was in power and the rest of the top brass preferred to keep silent, Gen Saprang, commander of the Third Army Region, made his disenchantment with Thaksin public.
A little-known career soldier until then, his outspokenness catapulted him into the spotlight.
Gen Saprang's criticism became fiery when Thaksin was accused of showing disrespect to the monarchy, and particularly when Thaksin attacked an "extra-constitutional figure" for trying to topple him.
Thaksin's "extra-constitutional figure" remark consequently prompted Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, to remind the military of its primary allegiance to the monarchy, not politicians.
Given his usual silence on politics, Gen Prem's atypical outspokenness fuelled rumours of a coup. The September 19 coup finally shattered the belief that coups in Thailand were a thing of the past.
Although Gen Sonthi said the idea for the coup occurred only a day or two before it happened, Gen Saprang admits the idea had been around for seven or eight months.
There were also rumours at the time that Gen Saprang was mobilising troops from his regiment in preparation for the putsch.
"I was not that important in the scheme of things," he says dismissively. "I was just a small soldier, determined to show my patriotism."
He also defends the coup as a necessary move to protect the honour of state officials who, he said, suffered unprecedented humiliation under the Thaksin regime.
"Actually I used to caution Mr Thaksin that he must show respect for military commanders who are protecting national sovereignty. I asked him to avoid doing the wrong things."
The last straw, he says, were Thaksin's actions, which he perceived to be lese majeste. "The monarchy is a sacred institution for the Thai people. But Mr Thaksin's talk about the monarchy is often inappropriate. He's still doing it now through his interviews with the Western press."
Despite his respect for Gen Prem, Gen Saprang says he never worked under the veteran soldier, former prime minister and statesman. That was why, he says, he did not come out to mobilise military disenchantment following Gen Prem's talks at the military academies.
"I don't want to look as if I was a hired mercenary. I only act out of my pride as a soldier."
The Kalayanamitr family is military family. Not only were his father and grandfather soldiers, but also most of his relatives. That is why Gen Saprang believes he was born and bred to be a soldier. All three of his sons are following in his footsteps. One is in the army while the other two are in the air force. Top of their classes, they have all won scholarships to study overseas.
"I let them decide for themselves if they want to be military men or not. But our country is facing serious problems. And they will grow more serious in the future. It's only the military who can solve these problems, whom the people can rely on. They might see me as an example so they all decided to be military men," he says proudly.
He dismisses criticisms that his harsh criticism during the previous regime helped politicise the military. "It so happened that our country was facing a serious crisis, and everyone must help out."
He also insists that there were groups of people who tried to challenge the monarchy. "I couldn't stand it. I am a soldier, born to protect the Crown. They could only do so [challenge the monarchy] over my dead body."
Defending the September 19 coup, he describes Thai politics as not only sub-standard, but also extremely divisive. "This led to unprecedented national disunity. That was why I wanted to take them to task. They are my enemies."
Born in the northern province of Lampang, to an old aristocratic family, Gen Saprang was in Class 7 of the Armed Forces Acadamies Preparatory School, class 18 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and Class 43 of the National Defence College. He also has a master's degree in state administration from the National Institute of Development Administration.
After having worked most of his life on the frontline, in 1991 he was appointed regiment commander of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and regimental commander of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy the following year. He became commander of the 3rd Army region in 2005.
"Some people call me aggressive, very aggressive. But I'm not. The aggressive people lack morality. And I am not the kind who likes to bulldoze enemies. I consider myself a man of compassion, a man who dares face the truth. I am decisive and dare to do what I think is right, even when it backfires."
He says he was hand-picked by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to clean up the corruption at Suvarnabhumi. "Those who have been affected started rumours that I had suddenly become rich. That was funny. The truth is no one dares buy me off, knowing the kind of person I am. The more they attack me, the more I will dig for the truth. When I am challenged, I fight to the end.
"All I can say is that the corruption at Suvarnabhumi is gigantic. They did it without shame ... no corruption in the past can match this one."
It is an open secret that Gen Saprang is at odds with former police chief Pol Gen Kowit Wattana for being unable to catch the culprits in a seemingly endless string of school arsons, the New Year's Eve bombings and particularly the police's slowness in proceeding with lese majeste charges against Thaksin. So much so that he chastised the police and other bureaucrats as "deadwood" in "neutral gear".
The fact that Pol Gen Kowit is now out of the picture helps reaffirm Gen Saprang's stature in the junta.
When Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh criticised the junta, it was Gen Saprang who came out publicly to attack Gen Chavalit while other military leaders kept quiet.
"I am straight-forward and loud. My words are not pleasant to the ears, like those of Prime Minister Surayud or Gen Sonthi. And I am too old to change," he says.
"I admit that some puyais [senior people] have cautioned me to keep silent, to stop talking. But I cannot. You cannot stay quiet in the face of wrong. Especially the people who take the neutral gear, the opportunists, the bosses who pass the buck to their subordinates. I condemn all these people."
Despite his fiery spirit, the workload has apparently taken its toll. His 161cm frame emanates fatigue, and his weight dropped from 55 to 52kg from overwork and lack of sleep.
He admits he sometimes has to stay up nearly all night when there are rumours about Thaksin slipping back into the country.
During the day he is confronted with piles of papers that need his signature, while the phone constantly rings.
But he has no complaints, he says. "When we accept a responsibility, we have to do the best we can."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Outlook/05Mar2007_out49.php
http://pages.citebite.com/u1f2c3o7r1pso
Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin will retire this September and all eyes are on Gen Saprang as the main contender for next army chief, although he has only a year left before his retirement. His supporters say he fits the need for a strong military leader who can thwart Thaksin's efforts to return to power.
He dismisses such speculation, however. "Believe or not, I am interested at all if I will be the next army chief or not. I believe what I am doing now is more significant than what some army chiefs did in the past. What I am doing is for the good of the country. And I am proud of that."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Outlook/05Mar2007_out49.php
http://pages.citebite.com/u1f2c3o7r1pso
Home > Breakingnews > Saprang denies wrongdoing in overseas trip
Saprang denies wrongdoing in overseas trip
General Saprang Kalayanamitr Tuesday claimed he was the victim of smear campaign and denied any wrongdoing stemming from his Bt7 million overseas trip last week as chairman of Airports of Thailand (AOT).
"I took the working trip to study safety and security measures abroad with the aim of strengthening the existing system at Suvarnabhumi Airport," he said, explaining his weeklong visit to England and Germany.
Saprang was reacting to the Monday's allegation from Thai Rak Thai Party executive Chamlong Krutkhuntode, who said the trip was a pretext to squander money on accompanying family members.
In his rebuttal, Saprang said his opponents from the former ruling party harboured grudges against him following the coup.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30028622
Or is it more a case of our "hero (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=13872&postcount=12)" threatening another coup with himself in charge?:
Home > National > Coup could recur, says Saprang
Coup could recur, says Saprang
The possibility of a coup could never be ruled out and another military intervention could happen if the political situation warranted it, General Saprang Kalayanamitr, assistant secretary-general of the Council for National Security, said yesterday.
"Everything happens by the law of cause and effect and for a coup, if there is justifiable cause, then it would take place," Saprang said.
Commenting on the present situation, he drew the analogy of a heating, but not yet boiling, kettle. "It is premature to anticipate a coup as the water has not reached boiling point yet," he said.
Following the promulgation of the 1997 Constitution, many people ruled out the possibility of military intervention ever happening again, but they had been proved wrong, the general said.
The coup would become an extinct political phenomenon only in a true democracy, but Thai politicians still set up phoney political parties for personal gain, he said.
He voiced concern about the political future, saying the country would soon have a new constitution but the same set of corrupt politicians would continue to dominate the landscape.
Sonthi said he was in control of the situation and dismissed concerns of another coup. - The Nation
General Saprang unwittingly lands himself in trouble
By Veera Prateepchaikul
for bangkokpost.com
General Saprang Kalayanamitr might credit himself as a hero for helping to overthrow the Thaksin regime last September. But to be a hero in the hearts of the people, he must act like one.
The "Little Big Man" of the Council for National Security (CNS), Gen Saprang shot to fame last year for his fearless criticism of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra while most of his peers in the military chose to keep their mouths shut for self-preservation. He earned the reputation of being an outspoken officer who minces no words against those whom he deems are in the wrong, especially Thaksin and his cronies.
Of late however, Gen Saprang's tongue-lashing did very little to save him from an awkward situation related to his visit to Britain and Germany as head of a delegation of the Airports of Thailand.
Thai Rak Thai members cried foul against the Gen, accusing him of including one of his relatives in the delegation of 13 people. They also claimed that the delegation spent more than six million baht for the overseas junket, supposedly to observe management of security maintenance and traffic control at airports of the two countries.
Gen Saprang was still on the inspection trip when the allegations emerged. But upon his arrival home early this week, he was greeted with a small army of reporters who unhesitantly fired questions at him in connection with the allegations.
Apparently disturbed by the TRT's accusations, Gen Saprang did not deny or admit the presence of a relative on the tour.
He simply said: "If you knew my character, you would know that even if a relative joined the trip he should have realised that he should work hard. An inspection trip, in my definition, means work for security matters and there is no fun trip for me."
When asked why he had to bring with him so many people in the delegation, Gen Saprang said the number of people was not an issue. What mattered was that everyone had work to do. He further said that the seven million baht spent for the whole trip was not an important issue either when asked by a reporter whether the money spent was well worth it.
Those who have heard what Gen Saprang said might not share his views.
For instance, the seven million baht expenditure was an issue. People cannot be happy if tax revenues are not properly spent. The number of people in the delegation certainly did matter - because if there were more people the spending would increase accordingly.
Even worse would be if any of the expense-paid delegates were outsiders who had nothing to do with the Airports Authority of Thailand.
Tasked with overseeing the probes into all the corruption cases involving the Suvarnbhumi airport, Gen Saprang should have realised that he himself has become a target of close scrutiny by the Thai Rak Thai and his political opponents who are looking for anything which can be used to discredit him. Unfortunately though for Gen Saprang, he seemed to have blundered by including a relative on the overseas tour.
Gen Saprang might pride himself for being a hero for his contribution in bringing down the Thaksin regime in the military coup of last Sept 19.
For being a hero in the hearts of the people, he must act like one and not just speak like one. And as a supremo of the Suvarnabhumi airport corruption busters, he must be not only impeccably honest and clean. He must be seen to be honest and clean.
Expiring link:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=117297
Chaturon calls for probe against Saprang
Thai Rak Thai Party caretaker leader Chaturon Chaisang Friday called for a government investigation into the Bt7 million overseas trip taken last week by junta member General Saprang Kalayanamitr as chairman of Airports of Thailand.
Chaturon also urged the government to keep Saprang under control after the Council for National Security member accused his opponents from the former ruling party of harbouring grudges against him following the coup.
Thai Rak Thai on Monday claimed that the CNS deputy secretary-general included his relative in the 13 member delegation that splurged Bt7 million on the junket.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30028931
.....
Chaturon also urged the government to keep Saprang under control after the Council for National Security member accused his opponents from the former ruling party of harbouring grudges against him following the coup.
Thai Rak Thai on Monday claimed that the CNS deputy secretary-general included his relative in the 13 member delegation that splurged Bt7 million on the junket.
Saprang did not deny or admit to the presence of his kin on the tour but said he was the victim of a smear campaign, as he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
"I doubt Saprang's words that it was a move by his opponents [to discredit him]. It's not correct for the powerful figures who are running the country to turn to look at politicians whom they don't like as their enemy. I think what he said wasn't proper. He should change his views. Both the CNS chairman and the prime minister should suggest him to change his attitude," Chaturon said.
Even if Saprang considers Thai Rak Thai as his adversary, the party won't look at him as its opponent, he said, adding that the party sees him as a fellow countryman who has different perspectives on solving the country's problems especially on democracy, liberty and civil rights.
Next Monday his party's executive committee would submit a letter to the government and the Auditor General's Office requesting an examination of Saprang's travel expenses.
"It's a political party's duty to keep the country's welfare in mind. Even though the money may be trivial, the state shouldn't ignore it because this is all about transparency," he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/09/headlines/headlines_30028937.php
TGunner
09-03-07, 09:11 PM
I've never seen anyone call him/herself a hero in my entire life. He's the first. :o
Truly amazing what gets tucked away in the Business Section:
STREET WISE
Too much for a plain soldier
Ever since he rose to power as assistant secretary-general of the Council for National Security, General Saprang Kalayanamitr has had the public wondering. What is he really like?
When the CNS orchestrated the coup, Saprang cited depleted moral standards as the justification. He set about portraying himself as a good citizen who was concerned about social well-being.
When there was a rumour that he would lead another coup to take power from General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, he flatly denied it, saying that he did not want to cause chaos in the Thai society he so deeply loved. In effect, he was portrayed as a gentle patriot.
However, senior employees of TOT might take a different view.
Two weeks ago Saprang chaired a board meeting, where on the agenda was the finalisation of the bonus payments for 2006. Given that TOT has about 20,000 employees and the issue would interest all of them, Saprang allowed a live broadcast from the meeting room so that all staff could watch through the internal communications network.
There Saprang sat at the head of the large table, being briefed by top executives at TOT on the issues involved in the bonus payment.
After an hour, he lost patience. He barked at the executives for their conflicting information and beat-around-the-bush reporting styles.
"Have you all been working together? Why do you guys all have different information? After all you have said, I don't understand a bit. Have you ever talked to each other on this?" He shot the questions, leaving no doubt about his displeasure.
The executives promptly told him that they would resubmit the report.
Instead of commending them for the effort in completing the report, Saprang asked them briskly: "How many days will it take for the new report to be finished?"
When the executives answered "five days", Saprang snapped back: "Three days is enough. It will be ready next Tuesday. Right?"
Then, in desperation: "I'm a soldier and have never been entitled to a bonus, yet I'm here to approve payments for you people." The implication was clear: they should have been better prepared. The Army works differently, he was suggesting, and without the apparent rewards.
The question then arises what other aspects of his character will be revealed in the years to come. As far as we know, the National Counter Corruption Commission has received a petition that accuses Saprang of wasting Airports of Thailand money on a trip to Britain and Germany, as his relatives were amongst the participants. What if the NCCC rules that he abused his power? Will the military demeanour remain?
achara_d@nationgroup.com
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/26/business/business_30030225.php
Avudh's Blog in The Nation, where he is known as their Military Affairs Blogger:
Top Boot Politics Sequel V
On May 29 2007
The military has undergone a significant power shift ahead of the May 30 verdicts on two electoral fraud cases.
In light of security concern for the outbreak of violence following the judicial decisions, the Council for National Security (CNS) has come up with a new security plan for crowd control.
The new plan, known under the codename Pitak I, is to be enforced in lieu of the Pattapee 149 security measures.
What is the difference between Pitak I and Pattapee 149?
Top generals might be spending hours explaining subtle improvements on military strategies designed to pacify the crowds and quell disturbances.
But the bottom line is that Pitak I will be directly supervised by CNS chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.
After the September coup, Sonthi delegated his assistant General Saprang Kalayanamitr to take charge of security in Bangkok and execute the Pattapee 149 plan if deemed necessary.
By shelving Pattapee 149, Sonthi has ingeniously sidelined Saprang. This happens amidst rumours about a new round of military internvention with Saprang as a potential coup maker.
Under Pitak I plan, Sonthi has allied himself firmly with Pre-Cadet Class 9 officers led by Army Chief of Staff General Montri Sangkhasap and First Army Region commander Lt General Prayuth Chan-ocha.
If the power shift is any indication, the chance for Saprang to succeed Sonthi in October has diminished beyond recovery.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/webblog/view_blog.php?uid=321&bid=2753
Bangkok Pundit reports on yesterday's outburst by Gen. Saprang that is no longer available at the Bangkok Post:
http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/2007/05/saprang-speaks-out-yet-again.html
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Saprang Speaks Out (Yet Again)
The always colourful Gen. Saprang in the Post:
Politicians ousted in last year's military coup have been warned by the Council for National Security (CNS) that they risk serious consequences if they seek revenge on the coup makers if they return to power after the general election.
Saprang Kalayanamitr, CNS deputy secretary-general, yesterday warned the politicians of possible reprisals if they tried to go after the military leaders who threw them out.
The outspoken army officer said he believed that some politicians in the deposed Thaksin Shinawatra regime may regroup and re-enter politics if they are spared by Wednesday's Constitution Tribunal verdict on the electoral fraud dissolution trials.
Gen Saprang said those politicians should review their roles over the past six years and avoid repeating their mistakes, which had caused the country serious damage.
''Politics and the military must get along together,'' he said.
''Don't ever think of making a comeback to go after us. If they go after us, we will go after them.
''I am not afraid of his return .... I am not afraid of reprisals.
''I believe in doing good deeds and getting good things in return,'' said Gen Saprang, apparently referring to Mr Thaksin, who is now living in exile in London.
COMMENT: If TRT was really going to be dissolved and its executives lose their political rights for 5 years, why would he even need to say this? Is this a sign that Gen. Saprang thinks TRT will not be completely decimated?
Tum dee dai dee tum chua dai chua (or you reap what you sow). Was the coup a good deed? I guess we will find out.
Posted by Bangkok Pundit at 12:25 AM
Note how no one seems prepared to discuss the actual military differences:
29 May 2007
CNS Chairman concedes party dissolution case is a major case
Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief and Council for National Security (CNS) Chairman Sonthi Boonyaratglin admits that the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the political parties’ dissolution case on May 30th is a big case, and the Pitak 1 security plan will be used to increase the operational efficiency of officials.
Gen. Sonthi says Pitak 1 security plan has replaced Pattapee 149 security plan since it is more efficient. However, he says the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has been assigned to oversee peace and order of the country and it is coordinating with provincial governor and local chiefs to prevent masses to stage mobs in Bangkok on May 30th.
Gen. Sonthi says this is a big case and officials have therefore developed plans to deal with possible social unrest.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter01
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255005290031
And what are the nation's best interests Suchinda? Clearly not those of the majority!:
Suchinda: Nothing wrong if Sonthi enters politics
(BangkokPost.com) – General Suchinda Krapayoon expressed his support this morning if CNS Chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin is to move into politics.
He said he sees nothing wrong with soldiers entering the political arena as long as they have good intentions for the nation.
“If Gen Sonthi decides to become politically active in the future, then I’m certain that he must have already thought things through,” the former prime minister told reporters on his 74th birthday anniversary on Monday.
“If after one year, he is not able to help the country through this crisis, he’s probably thinking that he’s got a better chance of helping the country if he became a politician.”
“But,” he warned, “Gen Sonthi should only enter politics if he vows to act in the nation’s best interests.”
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120676
I suppose many people have been hoping that Gen. Sonthi would have the commonsense to stay out of politics. Why repeat the Suchinda farce?:
Soldiers not prohibited from playing politics: Sonthi
Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin said Monday that the soldiers are not prohibited from contesting elections under the democratic system.
He made the statement when asked to comment on speculation that a new political party would be set up as a vehicle for the coup makers to enter politics.
"Actually, democracy does not say who should contest or should not contest elections," Sonthi said.
"It's the right of Thais people to choose in the elections."
But Sonthi remained noncommittal as to whether he would contest the next election. "I'll talk about it later," he said.
The Nation
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120676
Not sure I would ever trust Snoh to hold a lucid or honest viewpoint! Utterly pompous name for a political party/personal bandwagon anyway:
Snoh warns Sonthi can face same fate with Suchinda
Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong Sunday warned the junta chief against contesting the next election, saying he could face the similar fate of disgraced former prime minister Suchinda Kraprayoon.
Snoh said if the Council for National Security or coup makers have a political party set up for their political vehicle, they would provide a big chance for the old power clique to strike back and regain power.
The Nation
06 August 2007
Gen Suchinda believes majority of people will accept the charter draft
Former Prime Minister Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon (สุจินดา คราประยูร) views the majority of people will accept the charter draft.
Following up on the upcoming referendum on August 19th, Gen Suchinda indicated that actually it is unnecessary for the government and the Council for National Security (CNS) to arrange the constitution referendum as it was already approved by specialists from a wide range different fields.
Gen Suchinda believes that although some people do not clearly understand all the contents of the charter, the majority of the people will still exercise his/her voting rights during the referendum day.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter04
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008060008
PM: Officer has right to enter politics
(BangkokPost.com) – Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has spoken in defense of General Panlop Pinmanee’s decision to enter the political arena and General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin’s unconfirmed political ambitions, saying that it is their personal right to do so.
General Panlop, an advisor to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), came under fire from his critics for striving to become a politician when he is wearing an army uniform.
"I truly believe it is his right to make a decision," he said.
Asked to comment further on Gen Sonthi’s future as a politician, the premier insisted that the current situation only warranted him to say what he has so far.
“It would be rude of me to comment on Gen Sonthi’s political future when he hasn’t even decided what he will do yet after his retirement,” said Gen Surayud.
“No matter which army official contests in the general election, it is the people who will decide who is fit for the country.”
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120682
Thanks again to Awzar Thi (http://ratchasima.net/) for the following:
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2007statements/965/
March 18, 2007
A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission
THAILAND: The real thinking behind the coup--"What do the people know?"
Last Monday, a week before the six-month anniversary of the September 19 military coup in Thailand, the March 12 edition of Matichon newspaper contained a lengthy interview with General Suchinda Kraprayoon, who led the coup in 1991. Suchinda was forced out of the prime ministership that he took unelected in 1992 after massive protests in Bangkok, in which hundreds are believed to have been killed and injured. Asked whether or not he still agrees with the idea that it is not necessary for the prime minister to be elected, Suchinda replied that he agrees "one hundred per cent", and continued
"And I don't agree with a constitution so full of details that it is impossible to move. The constitution shouldn't have many sections, only what's necessary. It should be written broadly... I also don't agree with holding public hearings, because what will the people know? Even I myself haven't read the previous constitutions, because I'm not a person who's interested in politics. Go and ask the people how many sections there are [in a constitution]--they don't know. So for what reason will you hold public hearings? What do the people know?"
Here is the real thinking of Thailand's coup leaders, whether 2006, 1991 or earlier. In its plainest terms, it consists of the following: ordinary people know nothing; politicians have no legitimacy; constitutions are irrelevant.
The question that remains halfway through the one year promised by the interim government for it to complete its "tasks" is what kind of state can be devised under persons who themselves have no understanding of the principles of modern government? Thailand is a sophisticated country, yet its self-appointed leadership is unable to rise above the most primitive political expressions. When rulers themselves profess disinterest in the basic aspects of statecraft, as the generals in Thailand do routinely, what then becomes of the state?
By any definition, the rule of law, as opposed to rule by a person or group of persons, depends upon the minimising of arbitrary behaviour. This means, in the words of one jurist, Professor J A Jolowicz, that
"There must exist some technique for forcing the Government to submit to the law; if such a technique does not exist, the Government itself becomes the means whereby the law is achieved. This is the antithesis of the rule of law."
The basic technique by which this is done in modern jurisdictions is through the introduction of a constitution. While no constitution is perfect, all must establish guidelines for the functioning of the state that minimise arbitrariness, together with institutional arrangements to ensure the rational settling of disputes. Where the basic guidelines of a constitution are more-or-less respected and carefully developed alongside institutions, there exists a foundation for the rule of law.
By contrast, a coup is the most arbitrary of all behaviour. It is the ultimate denial of the rule of law. It sends the message that there exist no such guidelines, however imperfect, and that some persons are entitled to act according to another set of standards altogether. In scrapping one constitution and ordering the writing of a new one, as has happened again in Thailand, coup leaders send out a message that constitutions are unimportant, elected officials have no special legitimacy, and the public has no authoritative voice in what goes on in their country. The message is reinforced by statements that reserve the right for the military to conduct future coups whenever so inclined. "I think that there will always be coups if there is cause for them," General Saprang Kalayanamitr said recently.
Here is the real meaning of the September 19 coup: not the rule of law, but its antithesis. As the Asian Human Rights Commission has said from day one, the coup was never about the displacement of a person and the reform of institutions, as was pretended. It was about the displacement of the state and the retrogression of its institutions.
The challenge for Thailand remains today, as it has throughout its modern history, to break free from the deeply feudal thinking of its elite, and bring the sophistication and abilities of its wider society to its leadership. Six months after September 19, the challenge is as big as ever.
# # #
About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.
Posted on 2007-03-18
Several NE provinces are flooded (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30044240), and their inhabitants have doubtless suffered much loss of income from an already precarious existence. And ACM Chalit SAYS he believes the following. It strikes me that low-income people in flood-affected provinces (who were already disgruntled about Thaksin's demise) are extremely likely to take just about any money proferred:
Chalit: Thais can no longer be bought
(BangkokPost.com) – Air Force chief and vice-chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS) Chalit Phukphasuk has expressed confidence that a campaign to overturn the draft charter will fail because only a handful of voters are willing to see the process of restoring democracy stall.
“Most people want to see the country move forward and the fact that this charter was drafted based on the 1997 constitution shows that the government is doing all it can to put the country in a good light,” he said. “Thai people these days have forward thinking so they won’t allow their votes to be bought that easily. Money can no longer buy anything.”
ACM Chalit also expressed optimism that the country will not be faced with a political crisis should the draft charter be voted down at the national referendum.
“The constitution was drafted by the brains of the country,” he stressed, “so I don’t think there will be any major events if the draft charter was not approved by the people.”
“If the people vote to pass the draft charter, then the result will be forwarded to His Majesty the King. I think that is what most people want to see,” he added.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120730
Indeed, why are ISOC currently investigating alleged bribery?:
Isoc told to probe bribery cases in Isan
(BangkokPost.com) - Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas asked Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) to investigate area in the northeastern region where a group of people are believed to have paid 200 baht for an eligible voter to vote down a draft constitution at a national referendum.
Gen Boonrawd said provincial governors in the region confirmed that the reports are true.
Once Isoc finds a party responsible for the bribery, they will either warn them or let Election Commission in each province to take care of the matter.
Gen Boonrawd confirmed that the vote-buying does not happen in other parts of the country including the southern or the central region.
He also said he is confident that voter turnout will be more than 50%.
When asked if ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's movement will have an impact on the referendum and an upcoming election, Gen Boonrawd said it will draw former Thai Rak Thai members together and give them hope in the election.
He said Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin does not place any importance on Mr Thaksin's movement nor is he worried about it.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120731
The PM believes that bribery exists, and even has his own form of encouragement in mind:
PM: Bribing voters to reject charter exists
(BangkokPost.com) - Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he believed an anti-charter group has bribed voters to reject a draft constitution at a national referendum scheduled for August 19.
Gen Surayud said he received the verified information from Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan who heard complaints from people, although the persons did not dare to give him evidence for fear of personal safety.
On the government's campaign to ask people to come out to vote on the charter, Gen Surayud said it will be done through village headmen and leaders of districts. He insisted that the Interior Ministry does not have budget to bribe people to vote for the charter.
He added that the government will reward officials in the province with the highest turnout to give them encouragement. He, however, said that the reward has nothing to do with job promotion.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120734
And Gen. Sonthi is even acting out his indifference to the effects of bribery:
Sonthi: Vote-buying won't affect turnout
(BangkokPost.com) – Council for National Security (CNS) chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has expressed optimism that a campaign to overturn the draft charter will not impact voter turnout on August 19.
“I’m sure most people can’t be lured into selling their votes because they now want what is best for the country,” he said.
Government officials recently claimed to have unearthed evidence that voters in the north and northeast were being paid 200 baht each to vote against the draft charter.
Gen Sonthi also added that provincial authorities in the south have been assigned to educate voters on the draft charter following reports that many were unable to read.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120725
Can't help feeling that Gen Panlop could never be described as an 'aide'. He's far too much of a strategic figure to even be called 'advisor' for that matter. I'd say this is one of the more significant things said by an army officer this week:
Aide: Sonthi shows interest in Rak Chart
(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin showed his interest in joining Rak Chart political party after he retires from army chief post in September, adviser to the International Security Operations Command Panlop Pinmanee said Friday.
Gen Sonthi has never made himself clear whether he planned to enter politics after his retirement, but sources closed to him revealed earlier that he is considering what banner he will contest the general election.
If he is to run, they said, Lop Buri province is the best choice because it has a strong military presence and where he served much of his career as a soldier.
Gen Panlop, who is building a support base for Gen Sonthi in case he runs for a House seat in Lop Buri, denied that the Rak Chart party planned to invite former Bangkok governor Chamlong Srimuang to join the party.
Gen Panlop, who recently declared that he would run in the election under the Rak Chart party, said he visited Mr Chamlong just to ask for his advice.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120772
Sort of seems like Panlop is deliberately trying to set more than one proxy political party for the military to ensure that there is no majority party in parliament in future:
Chamlong urged to set a new party
Former Palang Dharma Party leader Chamlong Srimuang on Thursday admitted that former Senate speaker Manoonkrit Roopkachorn and Internal Security Operations Command adviser General Panlop Pinmanee had talked to him about setting up a new political party.
Chamlong said the two had also invited National Legislative Assembly member Purachai Piumsombun, a former Thai Rak Thai member, to form the new party.
Panlop had earlier revealed he would join the Rak Chat Party led by Kachit Hatnanont and he intended to contest the general election in Bangkok's Dusit district.
Chamlong said he had not decided whether to return to politics. He felt that although the Palang Dharma Party still had some supporters, it was not enough to be a significant force.
"We adhere strictly to the principle of no vote-buying because we want transparency. The limitation in the current situation is that money has great influence in politics," he said.
He said if he returned to politics, Palang Dharma's base could enable the new party to win about 40-50 votes, which is not enough to make it a leading coalition party.
"It is of no use to decide on setting up a new party in the near future, because the situation is not right," he said.
Noppadol Inna, secretary to Purachai, admitted that some political groups had approached the former minister to join them. But he denied that Manoonkrit and Panlop had asked Purachai to be the leader of the new party.
Purachai has not yet decided on his political future, he said.
"The deciding factor on which political group he will work with is whether it has a chance to be a political institution and not just a special-task party like he experienced before and from which he learned a big lesson," he said.
Kesinee Jaikawang
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/10/politics/politics_30044430.php
Sonthi denies ties with Rak Chart party
(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin dismissed reports that he is invited to lead Rak Chart political party.
His close aide Panlop Pinmanee recently declared that he will run under the Rak Chart banner. But Gen Sonthi said that has nothing to do with him.
Gen Sonthi also said he does not know that this party is founded to be a nominee for retired soldiers. He told reporters to ask a Rak Chart founder Cap Khajit Hapnanont for the detail.
He also denied that he has met community leaders in several countries with an intention to build his support base for the upcoming election, saying that it is his job to oversee national security and speak with local government officials.
When asked if he is scared of politics, Gen Sonthi denied, saying there is nothing to be scared of as he has already staged a coup.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120779
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1317/964783509_672a38086b_o.gif
[Photo of Thai Rath cartoon gleaned from Bangkok Pundit (http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/)]
10 August 2007
CNS member calls on groups attempting to overthrow constitution to stop
The Royal Thai Navy Commander in Chief is calling on groups attempting to overthrow the 2007 constitution to cease their actions.
Council for National Security member Admiral Satirapan Kayanon (สถิรพันธุ์ เกยานนท์) expressed his belief that movements to overthrow the constitution are of no benefit to anyone. Admiral Satirapan told constitution opposition groups that in retrospect, if the 2007 constitution is not approved, the Council for National Security will remain in power, therefore opposers of the government and the CNS are asked to refrain from inciting unrest until a new government has been formed. Opposition groups are invited to participate in politics under set rules and regulations at that time.
The Council for National Security member added that incidents in which the identification cards of voters have been seized in order to prevent them from voting are being handled by authorities. Admiral Satirapan affirms that no such activities are occurring in areas under the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Navy.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter02
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008100057
Wisarut
11-08-07, 08:13 PM
Khun Ekkayut & the Gang have written a weekly commentary as follows:
Big Bung (Gen. Sonthi Bunyaratkarin) and Big Ali (Aree Wongaraya) are discussion about the UDD action as well the successor of Army Commander - wihethere it will be either
1. Gen Saphrang kalayanamit -> the top candidate who is going to exterminate the remainings of TRT, UDD and Palang Prachachon ... includign Ai Mink (the Red Doctor) and Ai Newin
2. Gen Anuphongse-> may be disqualigied due to the scandal of Ukranian Armour Cars for the Southern Troops
3. Gen Montree Sangkhasab
If the situation is not improved .. the 1 year extension for Big Bung as Army Commander will be issued
Gen Winai (peremanent Secetariate, Ministry of Defence) is disqualified even though he hope that he will be one of Bing Bung's Choice ....
Admiral Bannawit is about to be GRILLED and BOILED ALIVE by PM Surayut and Khun Meechai Ruechuphan
Furthermore, Bing Bung and Co. have sent a warning message to Ai Mink, Ai Liab and Ai Win alogn with other TRT, UDD & Palang Prachachon that
Biung Bung and Co have known about the Smear Campaings Rejecting the Constitution to humiliate Big Bung and Co as well as to check the Rating of Thaksin in rural areas and the remaining of TRT ...
The remaining of TRt and Co. will face the retribution at full swing during the upcomign election!
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/5977/23/
Wisarut
11-08-07, 09:09 PM
Chaiman of Election COmmission SHowing the Evidence of Cash for Vote Buying as well as otehr evidences of the dirty plan to Reject BE 2550 b Constitution
http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?id=1126&catid=19
Transferring 3 Bureacrat in Buriram for the Dirty Trick of We vote No ...
Oy (Jaturon) Caling that Junta is plannign Electtrion Fraud fue the Referendium
http://www.matichon.co.th/news_title.php?id=12
Theeraphat askign People to Catch thsoe who commit vote buying to Reject Constitution
http://www.matichon.co.th/news_title.php?id=12
Chavalit's wife supports his possible return to politics
Khunying Phankrua Yongchaiyudh Sunday expressed support for her husband, Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, to return to politics.
Phankrua disclosed that several political groups and parties had invited Chavalit to join them.
He said Chavalit was still recovering from an operation but the family would provide full support for him if he decided to return to politics.
"We see that his return could be useful :eek: :D to the country," Phankrua said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30044735
But I guess it is worth noting that he didn't reject the proposal as being completely out of the question. As always in Thai politics, even the role of opposition has been completely monopolized by big business and the military. Indeed, even political mavericks such as Chumlong covet and flaunt their military connections. Small wonder that there are those who undoubtedly believe that you can only subvert this cosy accommodation from within. (Too bad that in two majority TRT governments these political moles achieved absolutely nothing of any lasting value. In opposition, they are likely to achieve even less.):
Chamlong rules out return to politics
AMPA SANTIMATANEDOL
Former Palang Dharma party leader Chamlong Srimuang said he has no interest in re-entering politics.
Maj-Gen Chamlong's name has been linked to Rak Chart, which is dubbed the ''military party'', by his former classmates from Chulachomkao Royal Military Academy's class 7, including Panlop Pinmanee and Manoonkrit Roopkachorn.
Maj-Gen Chamlong, one of the leaders of the anti-Thaksin Shinawatra People's Alliance for Democracy and currently a member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), said he had been approached by Gen Panlop and Maj-Gen Manoonkrit, who are about to set up the new party.
He said he would make clear his stance on staying out of politics to his two friends when they met last night.
Maj-Gen Chamlong said he strongly intended not to re-enter politics as it is most likely that the political party that wanted to include him would not be a core party that formed part of a new government.
He believed the new party would emerge as a middle-sized one with only 40 to 50 seats in parliament.
That would be no use as the party would not be able to solve any problems, he said, adding that his decision arose from his experience when his Palang Dharma party was part of a coalition government.
''It would be a waste of time,'' he said.
''I may be elected as an MP, get a cabinet portfolio and may stay in this position until I die ...
''I will be honoured and respected, but society will get so little from that,'' he said.
The country's problems would remain untackled unless his party managed to win a majority, he said.
Maj-Gen Chamlong said he was now busy with at least five major projects that greatly benefit society, including running the leadership school in Kanchanaburi, assisting the country's largest kidney haemodialysis centre, and other charity works.
Those social projects, though important to society, are shunned by politicians, he said.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=120829
Wisarut
16-08-07, 05:01 PM
Parnthep telling Bing Bung to Wait for a While untit People Really Need Bing Bung so he can enter into political field with hjigh legitimacy
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6076/12/
Wisarut
16-08-07, 06:59 PM
Khun Pramote Nakhasab has sent an open letter to Big BungNOT to repeat the same mistake as tyhe last coups
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000096382
Wisarut
20-08-07, 06:10 PM
Khun Ekkayut and the Gang is tellign that Break noty Bent Style of Saphrang is out ... Surayut and Big Bung prefer mroe compromisable men to replace Big Bung
After testring Saphrang by aksign him to run AOTT and TOT, Big Bung fdound that Saphrang is too aroogant and too bellicost with other people.
Therefore, Big Bung may cosider the alternative since Saphrang can RUIN the gain of CNS has gotten.
Surayut and Meechai also sent a warning to Bannawit whcih Upset Khun Sondhi Limthongkul and Manager Group. However Big Boss may have to sent another warning to Sondhi Limthongkul that he is just a pawn ... better shut your mouth and you'll be okay .... since most media would NOT follow the same path as manager group.
The reason for the demand for more compromizable figure is that Ai Mink and Ai Liab and the Red Guards engineered by Ai Maew are goign to fight tooth to nail to get their power back ... Ready to burn down the Royal Palace and the whole country by Civil War Conflagation to gain back the power through tjhe confrontation with Saphrang.
Big Bung, Surayut Papa Prem and Privy Council would not allow Saphrang to ruin the country by makign a confrontation. Much better and more peaceful strategy will be applied to nip AI maeww and Co.
One of the Strategies is to use Samannachan faction, Machimathippatai faction, and Rakchart Faction to nip Ai maew and Co.... even though they may have to put Democrat party into Opposite Party as Palang Prachachon .... using Democrat as the spearhead to RUIN Palang Prachachon (TRT in disguise) through the back stabbing.
The very reason of turnging Democrat as expendible spearhead is due to the breaucraticism within the party ... rendering Democrat unsuitable weapon for the Government to counter against Phalang Prachachon. Furtherrmore it will increase the creditability of Democrat that they are not a puppet of Army.
They may use Big Jew (Chawalit) to work as a compromiser to glue all the group togather. he can even find the way to tame Sondhi Limthongkul down since Panthep (the speaker for Khun Sondhi) also a man of Big Jew.... who fidn the way to point out that Big Jew got NO benefit from Bath Depreciation on 2 July 1997 whcih SOndhi Limthongkul would not dare to attack Big Brother Jew.
Now, there is a rumour that His majesty would approve Big Bung as a member of Privy Council - the adviser ffor His majesty whcih both Top Civil Officers and Top Brasses are willing to give away theri high positions to become a member of privy Council.
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6133/23/
Wisarut
21-08-07, 07:06 PM
Manager Daily Warning that Bing Bung will lose the game since he is unable to make a total supression of UDD men in Isan and the North
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000098332
Big Bung and Top Brass better united those Politicians to sue them as spearheads AGAINST TRT men and top brasses better work behind the scene as the way to make total DEFEAT to Ai Maew
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000098334
Blimey! Don't ever make the mistake of claiming you understand Thai politics. About the only thing I can say about it with any certainty is that the main players spend so much time trying to muddy the water, they usually have no more idea what's going on than the rest of us either:
CNS chief quashes coup rumours
BANGKOK, Aug 22 (TNA) – Council for National Security chairman Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin categorically dismissed rumours of a looming coup attempt which would preclude the general election scheduled at the end of this year as unfounded and misleading.
The CNS chief confirmed the general election will certainly be held as planned, following Sunday's public referendum which came out in favour of a new constitution, and played down hearsay about a new coup attempt circulating in a jittery stock market. He also said all legitimate parties should be welcomed to contest the general election, scheduled for December, including factions earlier associated with the previous Thaksin administration.
Gen. Sonthi said election-winning parties should be recognised to run the country as long as it is achieved democratically and a majority of people voted for them. Possibilities of any elements of the former Thaksin administration returning to power after the election should be no cause for concern, either.
The CNS chief, who is also army commander, said one should not confuse matters of national security with political businesses when they repeatedly call for the lifting of martial law in certain areas of the
country. The general election could be carried out in constituencies under martial law whereas the authorities will maintain law and order as well as assure safety for the voters, he said.
Gen. Sonthi declined to confirm or deny if he will contest the general election as earlier speculated but dismissed criticisms that factions by the name of Matchima or Ruam Jai Thai might offer him leadership
of a new party which will join the approaching race to parliament, such as the now-defunct Samakkhee Tham Party once led by a junta called the National Peace-keeping Council.
Gen. Sonthi, who earlier contemplated a restful retirement, commented there would be no such thing as nominee party under control of the military and said he had not discussed things with any political faction or party, including the Rak Chart Party.
The army chief said he was pleased with results of the referendum which, he said, should be under no circumstances considered as a virtual competition between the CNS and the former Thaksin administration.
He said that no government officials, particularly provincial governors and army commanders in charge of the north and northeastern regions, will be punished or transferred, as earlier rumoured, for failing to have a majority of constituents under their jurisdiction endorse the new charter.
He said those government officials had done nothing incorrect in regard to Sunday's referendum that would merit penalties.
The army chief, scheduled to retire at the end of next month, added he had not yet considered the annual army reshuffle, to take effect on October 1. (TNA)-E008
Last Update : 2007-08-22 / 10:32:14 (GMT+7:00)
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=31196
Minister worried over military reshuffle
(BangkokPost.com) – Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas has admitted that the upcoming military reshuffle could play a part in triggering a “political accident” since several military officials will be left disappointed while some will be overjoyed.
Gen Boonrawd then clearly stated that there was no internal conflict within the military, especially between the three major candidates deemed as front runners to replace Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin as army commander.
The candidates include Assistant Secretary-General of the CNS Saprang Kalayanimitr, the Internal Security Operations Command's (Isoc) Secretary-General Montri Sangkasap and Assistant Army Chief Anupong Paochinda.
.........
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121054
Union demands sacking of Saprang, entire board
Internal conflicts and lack of business experience are hurting company's prospects, workers tell ICT Ministry
Published on August 24, 2007
TOT's labour union wants the Information and Communications Technology Ministry to sack its board, including chairman General Saprang Kalayanamitr.
The union said new directors with backgrounds in management were needed.
It threatened to shut down TOT's head office and bar their entry, if the board was not overhauled within seven days.
The union backed up its move by saying the current board had no experience in management and had created conflicts between directors and the president, according to a letter it sent to the ICT Ministry yesterday.
At Tuesday's board meeting, Saprang reportedly criticised TOT executives and staff for failing to do their best for the state enterprise, despite their high salaries.
According to the union's letter, many management disputes had erupted under the new board between some directors and president Somkual Buraminhentr, and between Somkual and vice presidents.
The board also lacked standards in making decisions, management experience and outstanding performance. This had hit staff confidence in the board and in TOT's ability to generate revenue, the letter claimed.
"To show that you [ICT minister] do not support any of the board members but want to uphold righteousness and protect the nation and state enterprise assets, we would like to ask you to change the board as soon as possible," the letter said. It was signed by acting union head Nukul Bawornsirinukul.
One report, however, claimed the union was split between those in favour and those opposed to the board.
The current TOT directors took office in February.
A telecom source yesterday questioned TOT's chances of surviving market competition in a time of liberalisation when the organisation lacked unity.
TOT's first-half net profit of Bt2.86 billion was a sharp drop from Bt4.47 billion in the first half last year, as revenues slid from Bt29.8 billion to Bt25.9 billion.
More than Bt10 billion in revenue came from concession fees, up from Bt7.1 billion. The largest cellular operator, Advanced Info Service, and telephone companies True Corp and TT&T hold concessions from TOT.
TOT's traditional telephone service generated revenues of Bt7.46 billion in the first half, down from Bt8.6 billion, while its public-telephone business contributed Bt1.4 billion, a decline from Bt2.1 billion.
Its broadband Internet service provided Bt1.08 billion, a jump from Bt469 million, while its leased-line communications network chipped in Bt2.1 billion, up from Bt1.9 billion.
TOT is targeting revenues of Bt60 billion this year with a net profit of Bt6.9 billion. It is seeking new sources to shore up its declining revenues.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/24/politics/politics_30046286.php
Probably the most significant thing in this report is that Captain Chalerm has once again decided to take a gander over the parapet. Another re-emerging political dinosaur from the Chavalit Era? Almost certainly!:
Prayuth: Another coup won't be staged
(BangkokPost.com) - First Army Region commander Lt-General Prayuth Chan-ocha shrugged off speculation of New Alternative leader Chalerm Yubamrung that the military would stage another coup if the Thai Rak Thai group wins an upcoming general election.
Lt-Gen Prayuth insisted that military figures would not repeat last year's military coup. He said the 2007 draft constitution, approved in a referendum last Sunday, allows close monitoring of the administrative branch.
Pol Cpt Chalerm's speculation was meant to add value to the Thai Rak Thai group, which runs under the People's Power party banner, Lt-Gen Prayuth said.
The first region commander also denied to comment whether a military party or a third party will form the government after election, saying that it is unpredictable.
He only said that it is for the good of the country as political parties are forming so everyone will help solve national problems.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121075
Wisarut
24-08-07, 12:37 PM
Bign Bung and Saphrang, you better WATCH your back ... Thsoe Top Brass in Isan (esp those in Ubon and Udorn) who take side with Ai Maew would come up tyhe the Coup to Purge CNS .... Bertter find the replacement of the 2nd Army Commander who failed to get Yes vote for the referendium
http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/2007/08/24/WW01_0104_news.php?newsid=90985
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/24/politics/politics_30046286.php
Bannawit: No rifts with Saprang on TOT
(BangkokPost.com) - National Legislative Assembly's transport committee chairman Bannawit Kengrian denied having conflict with TOT Plc chairman Saprang Kalayanamitr.
The two will meet unofficially on Saturday afternoon to discuss whether to remove board of the trouble-plagued TOT, after its union called on the board to resign with a claim that the board had no experience in management and had created conflicts between directors and the president.
Adm Bannawit said he and Gen Saprang are good friends but with different roles.
Gen Saprang was reportedly unhappy with Adm Bannawit's proposal to remove two people from the board, saying who did Adm Bannawit think he is to give him order.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121098
Prem said to prefer Saprang to head army
WASSANA NANUAM
Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda favours assistant army chief Saprang Kalayanamitr to succeed Sonthi Boonyaratkalin as new army chief, a source said yesterday. Anupong Paochinda, also an assistant army chief, should succeed Gen Saprang when he retires next year.
Gen Prem felt Gen Saprang and Gen Anupong both deserved to head the army because both had ''risked their lives'' seizing power in the Sept 19 coup.
Gen Anupong is due to retire in 2010.
Gen Saprang earlier said he might retire early if a less senior officer replaces Gen Sonthi. The source said that if ''limitations arise'' where Gen Saprang cannot succeed Gen Sonthi, then Gen Prem agreed the next army chief should be Gen Anupong given his calibre, strong character and the fact that he commands key army units.
The top-level reshuffle is believed to be one of the reasons Gen Prem did not receive many guests on his 87th birthday yesterday. The source said if Gen Prem has welcomed any candidate for the job of army chief, that candidate would be seen as having the statesman's blessing.
Only people closest to Gen Prem had lunch with him yesterday. They included Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and former supreme commanders Gen Mongkol Ampornpisit and Gen Ood Buangbon.
On Friday, Gen Sonthi called on Gen Prem at his residence, reportedly to convey birthday wishes in advance. It is believed they discussed the army reshuffle.
Gen Sonthi has invited Gen Prem to chair an army advisory council meeting to be held soon. Gen Prem's presence at the meeting could give the impression that he also offers advice on the choice of new army chief. The reshuffle list is expected to be forwarded to the defence minister on Sept 15.
The source said Gen Prem felt the situation had not returned to normal and government officials can better spend their time solving problems than attending his birthday party. He also wanted a general election as soon as possible.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=121137
Wisarut
30-08-07, 12:34 PM
Who said that Thailandf is not a democratic party? - The explanation from Thai columnist abotu the current situation to thsoe Chinese who were FOOLED by Thaksin's Spin
http://matichon.co.th/matichon/matichon_detail.php?s_tag=01act01300850&day=2007-08-30§ionid=0130
USA is not an IDEAL democratic country Either - a Cricism from Khun Nongnuj Singhadecha to thsoe intellectuals who Keep Aiming for Ideal Democracy wiothotu takign mroe pragmatic approaches
http://matichon.co.th/matichon/matichon_detail.php?s_tag=01act03300850&day=2007-08-30§ionid=0130
Editor of Matichon givign a Criticism to thsoe Electioneers who put the whole country into perpetual hostage.
http://matichon.co.th/matichon/matichon_detail.php?s_tag=01edi01300850&day=2007-08-30§ionid=0102
Khun Chaisiri Samutthawaniuj has pointed out the Foreign correspondent who take BRIBE to be a mousepiece for Thaksin
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000101751
Only in Thailand could we have an admiral who seems to think he is an expert on airports, and an army general who knows all about phones. Obviously, their old job is no longer enough of a challenge. And perhaps the thrall of endless golf games is beginning to pall?:
Bannawit to grill Transport Minister
(BangkokPost.com) – While Airports of Thailand officials are busy trying to reach a compromise on resolving the noise pollution issue with residents near Suvarnabhumi airport, Adm Bannawit Kengrian is certain to have his hands full at Tuesday morning’s weekly cabinet meeting trying to launch a censure debate against the Transport Minister.
Adm Bannawit, Chairman of the Transport Committee under the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), is particular intent on grilling Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen for his supposed lack of determination in solving problems at Suvarnabhumi airport.
“I have no intention of ousting Mr Theera but I want to know why he has allowed the problems to be left unattended for so long that residents are now starting to protest,” Adm Bannawit explained.
He also expressed disapproval over a threat made by residents to release balloons to disrupt air traffic, saying it “shouldn’t be done” but added that “if it was a way of exercising one’s democratic right, then I agree.”
“The heart of the matter is, authorities did not address the problems in hand,” he said.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121341
Thread on the possibility of balloons being used in the protest against noise around SBIA:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2298
Further to the previous post, here's the Thai general who thinks its a good idea to get into controversial politics over telecoms at the same time as hoping to be the next C-in-C of the Royal Thai Army. I have a feeling he's going to lose the lot!:
ICT minister expresses confidence Saprang to defuse conflicts in TOT
Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom Tuesday expressed confidence that Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr would be able to defuse conflicts between TOT unionists and the TOT board of directors.
Sitthichai said he expected that Saprang would be able to handle the situation in his capacity as the TOT board chairman.
Late last month, the TOT union called on the ICT minister to sack Saprang and the entire TOT board, alleging that the board was rifted with internal conflicts and board members lacked business experience.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30047665
Further to the previous post, here's the Thai general who thinks its a good idea to get into controversial politics over telecoms at the same time as hoping to be the next C-in-C of the Royal Thai Army. I have a feeling he's going to lose the lot!:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30047665
Saprang to resign as chairman of 2 boards
(BangkokPost.com) – Council for National Security deputy secretary-general Saprang Kalayanamitr said Tuesday he plans to resign as chairman of two boards - Airport of Thailand and TOT.
“It had always been my intention not to stay in these positions for too long,” said Gen Saprang during a recent television interview with the Sapa Tha Phra Arthit news programme. “I only agreed to take on these positions upon request from my superior.”
Though not usually a man of many words, Gen Saprang, who currently chairs the board of the two state enterprises, was exceptionally talkative during the interview.
“I don’t want to say much more than that to avoid putting any pressure on my boss,” he said, referring to the military reshuffle which is currently under the media spotlight.
Gen Saprang is one of three main front runners slated to be named the new Army Commander.
“I’ll leave my posts before my term ends to make way for others,” he said. “Let’s end it there.”
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121349
http://www.prachatai.com/english/news.php?id=186
http://www.prachatai.com/english/upload/pictitle/2007090632049_9456-6983.gif
[Photo: Prachatai]
The last interview before Sombat goes to jail: Darts Game VS. Martial Law
Interview by Chiranuch Premchaiporn, Mutita Chuachang and Pongpan Choomchai
06 September 2007
..........
See link for lengthy interview in English:
http://www.prachatai.com/english/news.php?id=186
Anti-coup activist to be released from jail; campaigns planned to lift martial law in North and Northeast
Prachatai
11 September 2007
10 September 2007: At Bangkok Remand Prison, Mr. Sombat Boon-ngam-anong told Prachatai that he would tender bail today and expected to be discharged from prison on the same day. He explained that since his detention did not have as wide an impact in society as he had expected, he decided to get out and launch campaigns to lift martial law. Also, staying in prison kept his friends and colleagues worried and that has affected the leadership of the anti-coup movement. Nevertheless, he admitted it was difficult to reach this decision and he had to argue a lot with himself whether to bail himself out or not. He has gained a lot of experience from staying in prison and found many convicts are marginalized people who need support to gain access to fair judicial process.
"It's time for me (to come out) and it has been proven that I have not been deterred by this second detention, after the first one in Chiang Rai. I am happy to play the game they set up to hold me in custody. I don't care if they did it just to disrupt our activities or whatever. But it has been proven that the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) does not rely on individuals for its campaign, and is strongly rooted in the mass. Their activities shall continue despite all the hurdles" said Sombat.
After his release, Sombat said he has two things to do. First, he will organize activities in areas under martial law, particularly in the North and Northeast. Bangkok people might not feel the pinch from martial law. He will also request details of the votes in each referendum unit. So far, the Election Commission of Thailand has simply released voting figures at the provincial level.
He added that libel is a criminal offence and withdrawal of the case has to be made with the defendant's consent. He has the right to oppose withdrawal of the case filed by Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr and Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin. He wants the two plaintiffs to stand in court to tell him whether or not he has the right to oppose the coup, and whether or not the libel case was justified. He maintained that he would not file a countersuit against the two generals.
Translated by Pipob Udomittipong
http://www.prachatai.com/english/news.php?id=200
Scum of the earth
September 11th, 2007 by Andrew Walker
A New Mandala reader in Bangkok has reported that the notorious rightist song nak phaen din (หนักแผ่นดิน) “has been playing frequently as a ditty on Army radio for the past week or so”. This is a virulently anti-communist song from the 1970s that was played repeatedly in the lead-up to the massacre of students at Thammasat University in October 1976. Ben Anderson makes reference to the song in his book, Spectre of Comparisons:
"Radio stations controlled by rightists, and especially the extremist Armored Division Radio, commissioned and played incessantly violent songs such as “Nak Phaendin” (Heavy on the Earth) and “Rok Phaendin” (Scum of the Earth). Kitti Wuttho’s dictum that Buddhism endorsed the killing of communists was given wide and constant publicity. Nor, of course, was the violence merely verbal. As mentioned earlier, the spring and summer of 1976 witnessed a whole series of physical outrages." (p.171)
Thongchai also makes reference to the song in his 1996 commemoration of the 1976 massacre (http://www.2519.net/newweb/doc/englisharticle/we.doc):
"The public were first worried, then scared off by the polarizing politics and violence. They gradually turned away from both confronting forces. This deprived the left wing of popular support, a vital element for the radical student movement. Meanwhile military propaganda had dehumanized the radical students, labeling them ‘scum of the earth’ (nak phaendin), the enemy of the “Nation, Religion and the Monarchy”, or lackeys of communist aliens (Vietnam in particular). A right-wing monk asserted that killing of leftists was not a religious sin since it killed the Evil One (Mara). In retrospect, the eradication of the radicals and the return of military rule might have been inevitable. Yet, that brutality of that Wednesday morning was far beyond anybody’s anticipation."
A brief history of the song, its lyrics and a sound file are available on Thai Wikipedia (http://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%81%E0%B 8%9C%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99) . Translation of lyrics is not my strongpoint, but with some help from my friends I will have a go at the first verse:
"They call themselves Thai and they look like Thais.
Living in the golden Bo tree of the King, but they have destruction in their hearts.
They regard the Thai as slaves, they look down on the Thais.
But they live off Thai wealth and enslave the Thai people.
Scum of the earth, scum of the earth, scum of the earth …."
I am sure New Mandala readers can provide a full (and better) translation of this noxious song!
My understanding is that the term “nak phaen din” (literally, heavy on the earth) derives from a Buddhist tale [http://84000.org/tipitaka/picture/f57.html] in which the ambitious and arrogant Phra Tewatat attempts to kill the Buddha. He is punished for his sins by being sucked into the earth (suup phaen din). Phra Tewatat is the stereotypical villain who, as one friend put it, “betrays parents, nation, religion or king.” It is not hard to see who is being cast as Phra Tewatat in the current political climate. And his followers, of course, are the scum of the earth.
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2007/09/11/scum-of-the-earth/
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/p57.jpg
[Picture: http://84000.org]
Related thread on role of right-wing politicians in the 1976 bloodbath:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=17002&postcount=32
This was one of the replies to the linked blog item in the previous post:
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2007/09/11/scum-of-the-earth/#comments
Lleij Samuel Schwartz // Sep 11, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Well, here is my try at a translation. I had it checked by a native speaker, so I hope their are no glaring errors. Any mistakes, of course, remain my own.
I was struck by the agrarian imagery in the first verse, I’m thinking of phrases like “แผ่นดินของราชันย์” and “แต่ยังฝังทำกิน,” which I think was a good rhetorical choice to combat the potential appeal of communism to the rural population, especially of the Maoist flavor. So with this in mind, I translated “หนักแผ่นดิน” as “A blight upon the earth”
Translation:
คนใดใช้ชื่อไทยอยู่ กายก็ดูเหมือนไทยด้วยกัน
Any person who calls themself Thai, and whose physical features resembles a Thai, too;
ได้อาศัยโพธิ์ทองแผ่นดินของราชันย์ แต่ใจมันยังเฝ้าคิดทำลาย
Living off the golden Bodhi tree and the land of the King, but in their hearts conspiring to harm…
คนใดเห็นไทยเป็นทาส ดูถูกชาติเชื้อชนถิ่นไทย
Any person who sees the Thai as slaves, looking down upon the whole Thai nation;
แต่ยังฝังทำกิน กอบโกยสินไทยไป เหยียดคนไทยเป็นทาสของมัน
But yet still digging for sustinance and scooping up Thai wealth, while despising the Thai as if they were their slaves…
(สร้อย)
หนักแผ่นดิน หนักแผ่นดิน คนเช่นนี้เป็นคนหนักแผ่นดิน (หนักแผ่นดิน!)
A blight upon the earth, a blight upon the earth. A person like that is a blight upon the earth. (A blight upon the earth!)
หนักแผ่นดิน หนักแผ่นดิน คนเช่นนี้เป็นคนหนักแผ่นดิน (หนักแผ่นดิน!)
A blight upon the earth, a blight upon the earth. A person like that is a blight upon the earth. (A blight upon the earth!)
คนใดยุยงปลุกปั่น ไทยด้วยกันหวังให้แตกกระจาย
Any person who agitates Thais to fight against each other, hoping to break and scatter them;
ปลุกระดมมวลชนให้สับสนวุ่นวาย เพื่อคนไทยแบ่งฝ่ายรบกันเอง
Mustering a mob, giving rise to confusion and chaos; to split up the Thais into factions that fight each other.
คนใดหลงชมชาติอื่น ชาติเดียวกันเขายืนข่มเหง
Any person who is lost, admiring other nations, while their own nation they allow to be oppressed;
ได้สินทรัพย์เจือจานก็ประหารไทยกันเอง ทีชาติอื่นเกรงดังญาติของมัน
Seizing assets so that they may kill their fellow Thais, but respecting other nations like their own relatives…
(สร้อย)
คนใดขายตนขายชาติ ได้โอกาสชี้ทางให้ศัตรู
Any person who sells themself and their nation, creating an opportunity to point the way for the enemy
เข้าทลายพลังไทยให้สลายทางสู้ เมื่อศัตรูโจมจู่เสียทีมัน
To collapse Thai power and destroying the will to fight, so when the enemy pounces, we will lose.
คนใดคิดร้ายราวี ประเพณีของไทยไม่ต้องการ
Any person who thinks ill of Thai mores and traditions, Thais have no use [for him].
เกื้อหนุนอคติ เชื่อลัทธิอันธพาล แพร่นำมันมาบ้านเมืองเรา
Supporting bias and immorality, they come to spread their filth in our villages.
(ซ้ำท่อนสร้อย 2 ครั้ง)
Baton Rouge
15-09-07, 07:10 PM
15 September 2007
NEWS HEADLINE :. Army Chief affirms he is not ready to enter politics
The Army Commander in Chief and Chairman of the Council for National Security indicates that he is not ready to begin a political career.
Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน ) said that the upcoming elections is likened to old liquor in a new bottle, as old and familiar politicians will continue to participate in greater numbers than new candidates. Gen. Sonthi said that members of the public will nonetheless vote for the most appropriate politicians. He added that politics should be allowed to progress naturally.
The Army Chief said that he will continue in his duties to ensure peace and order, and affirms that no political parties have solicited his membership so far. Gen. Sonthi added that he has not made a decision to participate in politics as there are currentlly sufficient politicians. He believes that once Thailand's political situation has stabilized the Council for National Security's duties will be fulfilled.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter03
Hopefully, paragraph 1 will continue to be the case.
Paragraph 2. He's certainly right about the dearth of new blood, but numerous coups & royal interventions have done nothing to let politics "progress naturally".
Paragraph 3. Some hope! Image if a truly organic party of the masses were to arise, funded only by ordinary people. (Also, some hope!) The monarchy and military would stomp on it and label it 'socialist' or 'communist'. For that matter, Thaksin would have stomped on it. And Samak most certainly would, if anyone is ever stupid enough to trust him as a future PM. Thus, we have to put up with the farcical situation in which former socialists/communists cohabit with Thailand's arch-fascist in support of a corrupt billionaire who enjoys scoring points off the same elite that spawned him.
The political situation here is plainly hopeless.
goldbug
18-09-07, 02:33 PM
Hi,
I'm a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter in the UK studying Thai counterinsurgency and am interested in contacting anyone who might know about the country's Cold War era COIN against the communists (1965-85) and also the smaller COIN against southern separatists in the 1990s when the SBPAC and TF 43 were active.
I've got several English language texts such as The Struggle for Thailand, Trial in Thailand, Making Revolution, Rituals of National Loyalty, and The Boys in Black. It’s a good start, but interviewing people is key for me.
Other text of monographs would be good, too.
Many thanks,
Goldbug
Reminds me of a local rock band I knew many years ago that went by the moniker of 'Field Marshall Slug'. Perhaps I should also explain that a 'Field Marshall is also a defunct tractor brand that might normally only be seen at vintage tractor shows or rusting in farmyards. All totally irrelevant, of course!
Cabinet approves position with rank equivalent to field marshal
The Defence Ministry Tuesday sought and received a Cabinet approval to create a new advisory position to be filled by a senior general with a rank equivalent to field marshal.
The position is tasked to advise on defence affairs and classified as a temporary appointment to be terminated by retirement of office holder.
The ministry has justified its new position as giving its leeway to shuffle senior officers.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30049416
Let me guess somewhat here. This position will be a form of appeasement to General Saprang (and perhaps another) for not getting the position of next Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief. Or perhaps the other way round. The other two will get it because Saprang will become C-in-C. :eek:
I seem to remember that one of those barbarous old generals of the 50s and 60s was the last to hold this title, but that it has long since been reserved only for HM the King. But I'm sure Khun Wisaruth will put us right on this soon enough
Wisarut
19-09-07, 07:46 PM
Now, it is official:
Gen. Anuphongse is the new C-in-C of RTA
Gen. Saphrang is becoming the deputy perment secretary of Ministry of Defence
Gen. Montri is the deputy C-in-C of SCHQ.
http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000111007
Urgent: Anupong appointed new army chief
His Majesty the King Wednesday signed a royal command to appoint Assistant Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda as the new army chief.
Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, another assistant army commander-in-chief, was appointed a deputy permanent secretary for Defence Ministry in the annual military reshuffle, which will take effect on October 1.
The issuance of the royal command to approve the annual military reshuffle list ended the months-long speculation as to who would hold the most powerful position of the army commander-in-chief.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30049569
Wisarut
20-09-07, 12:11 PM
The reason for Saphrang's failture to be appointed as RTA C-in-C is due to his failture to contain his friend from exploting the itnerest in AOT and TOT ...wreckign havoc in both state enterprises ...
Ekkayut has warned Sondhi Limthognkul and Co that the decision to put Saphrang into deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry of Defence is the reminder of his own failture.
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6828/12/
Wisarut
20-09-07, 06:48 PM
The cabinate sending a signal that Big Bung may become a deputy Prime Minister taking charge upon National Security after retirement
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6839/12/
Palang Prachachong and Democrat giving a nod to the New Army C-in-C (Gen. Anuphongse - AKA Big Pok) ....
Palang Prachachon disapproved the plan to install Big Bung as a deputy Prime Minister taking charge upon National Security after retirement.
Suthep Thueaksuban (Democrat Party) said they are gogin to pick up Saphrang if he wants to enter into political arena.
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6846/12/
Surayut (Big Add) said it is the right decision to install Big Pok (Gen Anuphongse) as the new C-in-C
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6853/12/
Admiral Bannawit Accusing Gen Winai for Cronyism ... Gen Winai picking up his brother in law to run Armed Forces Enegy Dept. ...even though there are lots of gossips toward Admiral Bannawit that he is a hypocrite sicne he also another top brass who commited cronyism and nepotism when he was running Battery Organization of Thailand ... a pot calling a kettle black INDEED!
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6851/12/
See previous post first!
What a horrible thought! Suthep Theuksaban headhunting General Saprang to be in the same party. General Saprang doesn't know what democracy is, even. For that matter, Suthep Theuksaban knows precious little about it either!
Even worse than what I set out to post here. The RTA never quite gets the full message! Army PR is a bit of an oxymoron:
POLITICS
Retiring Army chief could be made deputy PM
Council for National Security chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin could be appointed as deputy prime minister overseeing security after he retires at the end of the month.
Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas, who revealed the news on Thursday, said he supported the idea. Army chief Sonthi currently oversees national security and meets the prime minister regularly to handle such matters.
Boonrawd said Sonthi could have been appointed deputy PM already, as the interim charter allowed that, but the Army chief had not taken the post previously.
"It is likely he would accept it after he retires. It is up to the PM whether he will reshuffle the Cabinet,'' the minister said.
Surayud, when asked about the idea, said he would consider a Cabinet reshuffle after Sonthi retires.
Meanwhile, Boonrawd said no one could protest about the appointment of General Anupong Paochinda as the new Army chief on October 1, following Thursday's royal command.
Sonthi said he had appointed Anupong because he was qualified for the post. The Army chief had to have courage, knowledge, loyalty, and discipline.
"Anupong has both integrity and competency. He is bold and wise. The next Army chief must be able to continue the work to curb violence in the South and maintain internal security."
Sonthi said General Saprang Kalayanamitr should accept the post of deputy permanent secretary of Defence and not quit.
Former prime minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said Anupong had earned trust as he rose through the ranks, so he was acceptable as the next Army commander.
Defence Ministry deputy permanent secretary Admiral Bannawit Kengrien, said he had called Saprang and told him not to regret missing the chance to become the new Army chief. But he added that nepotism had affected the reshuffle.
"The use of connections is evident as some officials have been promoted to the military's Defence Energy Department. The Council for National Security is trying to uncover corruption by the Thaksin government and Shinawatra family but it practices the same thing by promoting families to key posts to protect vested interests,'' he said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/20/politics/politics_30049716.php
Wisarut
21-09-07, 05:08 PM
Bing Bung giving a hint that he may go into political field as deputy PM
http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000111900
Gen Boonrawd supporing the movement to install Bing Bung as Deputy PM
http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000111250
Sondhi an Co. wanign that appointing Bing Bung as Deputy PM will harm Surayudh's cabinate
http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000111627
Baton Rouge
24-09-07, 10:01 AM
Admiral Bannawit seems to be shaping up into an even bigger dork than General Saprang. One really does wonder what it would take to rid Thailand of these parasites. In normal times they thrive through dodgy business deals, and in times of conflict they thrive on repression. In that respect, they have a great deal in common with the Burmese Junta.
Would a change of regime in Burma have any impact on their arrogant ways? Would it wake their ideas up to the possibility of civil war? I think not, as they would soon be casting the new regime there as a threat to the region - and using that as an excuse to be even more oppressive. The future for ordinary citizens is truly bleak. Thailand is obviously in a developmental deadend. And no, I do not think Thaksin was the person to fix this. Too much of a chip off the old military academy block! With Thaksin, we were just swopping one form of repression for another - that superficially had a slightly better PR apparatus.
Saprang punished: Admiral
Defence Ministry deputy permanent secretary Admiral Bannawit Kengrien yesterday lashed out at Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin for "demoting" assistant Army chief General Saprang Kalayanamitr.
Saprang and Bannawit are long-time allies who both consistently opposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Bannawit said he did not understand why Saprang was "punished" for being honest and loyal to Sonthi.
Saprang was kicked upstairs to become another deputy permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry, when he was in contention to become the next Army Commander-in-Chief.
"Though he was appointed to a higher post, it is like a clerical job. He will just have to sit in a small room with nothing much to do. That makes it look bad for him. If he had been appointed as deputy supreme commander, he would have had more prestige,'' Bannawit said.
Saprang has always defended Sonthi, saying he was a good man of high integrity, said Bannawit, who is also a member of the National Legislative Assembly.
Saprang should have been rewarded for his loyalty and positioned at the forefront of the opposition to Thaksin, Bannawit said.
He said Saprang had told him that Sonthi had not talked to him at all before the military reshuffle, which sent him the message that he would not be promoted to Army chief.
"Sonthi is to blame for this. He should be ashamed of himself because people had high hopes for Saprang as the country is not in a normal situation. If there is a problem after the election, Saprang could have done anything without fear,'' Bannawit said.
Meanwhile, Saprang said yesterday that he did not feel slighted for being passed over, adding that "everything is over" for him.
The general said he would discuss the matter further after Monday, October 1, when the new military transfers begin to take effect.
He denied any conflict with Sonthi, saying he had retained a strong bond with the next Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, and congratulated him on his promotion.
The Nation
Wisarut
24-09-07, 10:25 AM
Thai version of "Saprang punished:" can be seen here:
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6890/12/
The weekly Gossip by Khun Ekkayut and Co. state that Bing Bung may become Minister of Interior in addition to Deputy PM since Bung Ali (Aree Wongaraya) is acting like the 5th Column for Ai Maew -> refusing to resign after the stock holding scandal ... to allow his son who is a member of Palang Prachachon Party to win the upcomign election :rolleyes: :eek:
The reason for Bign Bung to choose Big Pok (Anuphonse) as C-in-C is that Bing Pok is the realy "Ranger of the Queen" ... who used to run the 21st Inf. Reg. (Queen's Guard unit in Chonburi)
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/6877/23/
It rather looks as though General Saprang and 'friends' are not taking his punishment (see previous post) gracefully. Indeed, I think we can assume that the details below are only the tip of the iceberg. It may also indicate a whole new light on the resignation of Dr. Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom from the ICT ministership late last month:
Saprang wants soldier for TOT
Board delays public search for president
KOMSAN TORTERMVASANA
The TOT board of directors has put off a public search for a new president while Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, the board chairman, attempts to manoeuvre an army colonel into the top job at the state telecom enterprise. Normally the board would advertise the position for 21 days and then screen candidates for a shortlist. However, directors agreed at a meeting last week to postpone the process, said a TOT executive who asked not to be named.
TOT needs to replace Somkuan Bruminhent, who was sacked on Aug 18. Mr Somkuan had been shifted to an inactive post earlier while the board investigated claims of irregularities at the heavily indebted Thai Mobile subsidiary.
The executive said that Gen Saprang, a key figure in last year's military coup, was pushing for Colonel Natee Sukolrat to be the new president.
Col Natee does not meet some of the qualifications as stipulated by TOT or under the State Enterprise Board of Directors and Employees Qualifications Act.
However, the executive noted that a law on the supervision of state enterprises was being amended to allow each board to independently fix qualifications for senior positions. If the law passes, the TOT board could set its own terms and then invite public applications.
Col Natee, 41, does not meet current qualifications for age or work experience.
He was on the TOT board and was also serving as a TOT deputy president at the time when the board moved Mr Somkuan to an inactive post in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ministry.
The executive also said that Col Natee was the only board member who favoured a no-bid contract for 976 million baht worth of broadband equipment for the security services.
TOT has since been ordered to call public bids, while critics say the equipment should be paid for by the military, given TOT's deteriorating finances.
TOT board spokesman Djit Laowattana said that under existing regulations, a candidate for TOT president must be at least 45 years old and must have experience managing ventures worth at least five billion baht.
If the candidate is a government official, the minimum requirement is a C9 level, or equivalent to deputy director-general, or a deputy managing director of a private company. The candidate must have held that position for at least one year prior to the date of application.
Mr Djit said he agreed that the new TOT president should be a younger person and not someone one or two years away from retirement. He said the person should also have the courage and flexibility to make decisions, given the business and financial problems TOT faces.
Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, who resigned last month as the ICT minister, has been highly critical of the organisation. He said TOT had long been seen as a place to make money by politicians and others who placed their people on the board, while its executives put personal interests above those of the public.
He also said that if TOT named an unqualified president, it would go bankrupt within the next few years.
''Even they offered me three million baht a month to run TOT, I would reject it because I would not risk shouldering the enormous burden there,'' Dr Sitthichai said. ''Besides, I can't believe the problems in TOT could be easily resolved because TOT has no independence.''
May expire soon:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/02Oct2007_biz30.php
Anupong tightens his grip
215 officers moved in major reshuffle
WASSANA NANUAM
Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda yesterday made his first major reshuffle of senior officers in what is seen as a move to gain control in the areas once commanded by Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr. Three days after succeeding Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin as head of the army, Gen Anupong ordered the reshuffle of 215 unit commanders and middle-ranking officers to make sure the army is under his grip.
The order took effect immediately. Among the key changes were Col Preecha Chan-ocha, Col Apichet Suesat, Col Pachon Tampratheep and Col Apiratch Kongsompong.
Col Preecha, a younger brother of First Army chief Lt-Gen Prayuth, was moved from deputy chief of the Third Development Division to be deputy chief-of-staff of the Third Army, which oversees northern provinces.
Col Apichet was promoted from deputy to be commander of the Fourth Infantry Regiment. The unit based in Nakhon Sawan is under the Third Army Region and played a role in the coup on Sept 19 last year.
Col Pachon, deputy commander of the First Special Force Group, was made deputy chief-of-staff of the elite forces, the Special Warfare Division in Lop Buri. He is a younger brother of Vice-Adm Pachun, secretary to Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.
Col Apiratch, son of late Gen Sunthorn Kongsompong, was transferred from chief-of-staff of the First Army to be commander of the 11th Infantry Regiment, succeeding Col Pisit Sitthisan who is now in charge of the First Division. Col Pisit also played a role in the coup.
A military source said the reshuffle benefited officers under Gen Anupong when he headed the First Army, and also those who worked under Lt-Gen Prayuth. The move was apparently to make sure his people are in key positions, especially in the Third Army which was once under Gen Saprang's command, the source said.
Gen Saprang, who lost out in the recent race to replace Gen Sonthi, is now deputy permanent secretary for defence.
Yesterday Gen Saprang did not show up along with the rest of the Council for National Security (CNS) members to congratulate Gen Sonthi on his appointment as deputy prime minister.
''I am happy with my new life. I will be responsible for paper work,'' Gen Saprang told reporters at the Defence Ministry. But a ministry source said he had requested a 10-day leave for a visit to India next year.
The source said Gen Saprang would be re-assigned by permanent secretary for defence Gen Winai Phattiyakul to handle intelligence and strategy planning. Gen Saprang was said to be unhappy with handling personnel management.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he would assign Gen Sonthi to oversee efforts to quell violence in the deep South in parallel with the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc).
However, Somjai Phagaphasvivat, a political science lecturer at Thammasat University, voiced caution during a television interview about Gen Sonthi's assignment, saying he did not expect any difference in security affairs, especially in regards to the southern insurgency.
Counter-insurgency operations take time and rely on team work, not a one-man show, he said.
Gen Sonthi, who was made deputy premier on Tuesday after retiring from the army and stepping down as CNS chairman, said he accepted the cabinet post because he wanted to tackle long-standing problems in the deep South.
Thammasat University law lecturer Prinya Thaewanarumitkul said Gen Sonthi's appointment was ''socially accepted.'' Gen Sonthi's new political role implied that the army would back up the government. But his long-term goal remained a mystery, Mr Prinya said.
Gen Sonthi did not give any interviews yesterday because he has yet to be sworn in as a cabinet minister before His Majesty the King.
May expire soon:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Oct2007_news01.php
A brief report on one Thai TV channel this evening (perhaps Ch. 7) hinted that Admiral Bannawit Kengrien was implicated in this scandal. (His name IS actually to be found - briefly - in the report below.) There is a suggestion that this could explain the Admiral's numerous political attacks in recent weeks. The implication is that he is either trying to fend off the impact of this scandal, or is being tarred with it because he has trod on too many toes recently. It might also explain why General Saprang recently shied away from some of the Admiral's vocal interventions on his behalf:
THAI MARITIME NAVIGATION
'Managers linked to scandal'
Published on October 19, 2007
Bills for handling goods inflated, head of graft probe tells media
Former executives and directors of Thai Maritime Navigation have been implicated for involvement in a scandal involving the state-owned shipping company, according to a preliminary finding.
The graft investigation committee, chaired by Rear Admiral Thaivichai Boonya-Anant, showed evidence that implicated individuals of malpractice, said Vice Admiral Niphon Chaksudun, chairman of Thai Maritime Navigation.
"Within this month, we will identify the charges that the individuals could face and their names should be revealed to the board of directors," Niphon said, adding that some employees were also found to have been involved.
The report would then be presented to Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen. If approved, it would go to the National Counter Corruption Commission, which would file charges.
The committee, set up early this month, looked into bills of landing the former board and managers issued for goods shipments and found they had been falsified.
Individuals were also suspected of overcharging for handling goods. Such practices were deemed to have caused damage to the firm.
Some bills were issued after shipment to increase the benefit for foreign agents. Individuals were also thought to have conspired to book inflated prices to benefit clients.
"The practices were committed during 2005 and there is evidence that link some