NEWSThink
WASSANA NANUAM
It comes as no surprise that the name of Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, a former army chief, has been floated as a candidate for defence minister in the coming cabinet shake-up.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is expected to let go of the portfolio after having doubled as defence minister for six months.
This highlights the shifting sands in the political power game where opponents have kissed and made up.
Gen Prawit has reportedly been approached by Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, a former core leader of Thai Rak Thai, to take the defence post. This is a tacit indication he already has the approval of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Gen Prawit has had close ties with Khunying Sudarat for more than 10 years. She backed him to become army commander in 2004 during the Thaksin government, replacing Mr Thaksin's cousin Gen Chaisit Shinawatra, who was moved to supreme commander.
Earlier, Gen Prawit was seen by Mr Thaksin as a supporter of the 2006 coup that toppled him.
Gen Prawit was chairman of the Class 6 alumni at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, which included members of the Council for National Security such as former army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, permanent defence secretary Gen Winai Phattiyakul, navy chief Adm Sathiraphan Keyanont and air force chief ACM Chalit Phukpasuk.
Gen Prawit also maintained cordial relations with army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, then commander of the First Army, and Lt-Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, then the First Army's deputy commander. The First Army was the key unit in staging the 2006 coup.
This is probably the reason Gen Prawit was not named defence minister when the Samak Sundaravej government unveiled its first cabinet line-up, even though Gen Anupong nominated Gen Prawit directly to Mr Thaksin in return for security guarantees for the former prime minister when he returned home from self-imposed exile.
The top brass then, who were architects of the 2006 coup, said they did not want a soldier linked to political parties to head the Defence Ministry.
So Mr Samak doubled as defence minister despite the People Power party's calls for its deputy leader Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranont to take the job.
Mr Samak has been preoccupied and goes to work at the Defence Ministry only once a month. But during this period he developed a close rapport with Gen Anupong who filled him in on military affairs that Mr Samak had been too busy to tend to. Gen Anupong is often seen by Mr Samak's side during the prime minister's overseas visits.
The government has been deeply suspicious of Gen Prawit and his networks. It was feared he could lead another coup to topple the government.
This is why Mr Thaksin sent Khunying Sudarat to cultivate Gen Prawit.
Offering the defence portfolio to Gen Prawit could be Mr Thaksin's trump card. With Gen Prawit at the ministry the government can be assured another coup is very unlikely. It is important that Gen Anupong and Lt-Gen Prayuth, who control the forces that play key roles in coups, are Gen Prawit's close friends.
Gen Anupong should also be happy with this, because he has long wanted Gen Prawit to be defence minister.
If he is given the portfolio, Gen Prawit is expected to look after the military reshuffle due in September. The reshuffle should be acceptable to the top brass from Class 6 and the former coup makers.
Lt-Gen Prayuth should be next in line for army chief after Gen Anupong if Gen Prawit is defence minister.
If offered the job, Gen Prawit must decide if he really wants to join the embattled Samak government, which might not be around for long.
But it may be worth a try.
If he joins the cabinet he can exercise his authority in moving top people in and out of key positions in the armed forces.
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