FROM THE BARRACKS
WASSANA NANUAM
Deputy permanent secretary for defence Saprang Kalayanamitr's rallying behind the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) street protests against the Samak Sundaravej administration, widely accused of being a "nominee" of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is not beyond expectations.
The general is known to have close ties with two core members of the PAD - media owner Sondhi Limthongkul and Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, the latter his senior at the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.
Their relations can be traced back prior to the Sept 19, 2006 putsch which Gen Saprang is known to have helped orchestrate.
Gen Saprang, then commander of the Third Army, reportedly tried to persuade Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, then army chief, to stage a coup to topple the Thaksin administration.
Gen Sonthi did not warm up to the idea until he was convinced that Mr Thaksin was bent on purging him from the army's top post and on changing the country's political system.
It is believed that Gen Saprang suggested to the PAD that it call a major rally on Sept 20, 2006. It was this planned rally that Gen Sonthi used as an excuse to roll the tanks onto Bangkok streets. Gen Sonthi claimed the coup must be done to pre-empt any clash and subsequent bloodshed between the pro- and anti-Thaksin camps.
Even though most of the coup troops were mobilised from the First Army Region, which was under the supervision of Gen Anupong Paojinda, the current army chief, Gen Saprang's appointment to the Council for National Security as assistant secretary-general spoke volumes about his role prior to the coup.
The comeback of the PAD to the streets is seen as marking the return of Gen Saprang. The general admits he supports the demonstration but cannot step up to the forefront due to his work and military status.
"I fully support this protest because they have good intentions and they are good people.
"But I cannot publicly throw my weight around. I am still an officer and have a code of conduct and discipline to observe. I will wait until retirement, when I can follow my own ideology," he said.
Naturally there are suspicions that Gen Saprang may be more than emotionally involved with the PAD. The government is reportedly keeping a close watch on him and trying to collect evidence against him.
His endorsement is believed to have strengthened the PAD's campaign which reportedly also enjoys the tacit backing of other "old soldiers" such as Gen Panlop Pinmanee, former deputy chief of the Internal Security Operations Command; Maj-Gen Manoonkrit Roopkachorn, former House Speaker; Bannawit Kengrian, former chief adviser to the Defence Ministry, as well as former CNS members including Gen Sonthi and outgoing Air Force Commander ACM Chalit Phukpasuk.
Gen Saprang's personal conflict with some of them, including Gen Sonthi and Adm Bannawit, is unlikely to affect the mission because the general does not care about it as long as they have the same goal.
But his return is being greeted with scepticism.
After the People Power party won the general election last December and formed the coalition government, he seemed to have cleared the air with the "old powers".
He once gave an interview in which he said Mr Thaksin was not so much a problem as were the people around him.
Moreover, the Telephone Organisation of Thailand's (TOT) board which he chaired, allowed Advanced Info Service, the country's largest cellular operator, to operate the 3G mobile phone system.
The deal with AIS - which belonged to Mr Thaksin until he sold it to Singapore-based Temasek Holdings - has badly tainted his image as a hero in the 2006 coup. He has kept a low profile since, but says he remains the same man.
"I am the same old Saprang. People might have forgotten me. But I have told them I am ready whenever the country needs me."
A source said he had a meeting with a VIP whom he highly respected before the PAD kicked off its latest street protests. That person reportedly gave him moral courage to stand up and fight the alleged "nominee" government.
"The country is in trouble. I am a soldier. I can't leave it," Gen Saprang said.
However, now is not yet the right time for him to take any action.
"I cannot discuss much because it will affect my mission. Please know that I am doing good for the country and the Thai public.
"Keep watching and trust my patriotism and loyalty," he said.
Wassana Nanuam reports on military affairs for the Bangkok Post.
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