Govt, army scrap over NSC chief

The Democrat Party and the army appear to be on a collision course over the crucial leadership of the National Security Council following the lightning transfer of Surapol Puen-Aiyaka.

The Democrats are said to be backing NSC deputy secretary-general Thawil Pliensri as Lt Gen Surapol's successor.But army chief Anupong Paojinda was planning to nominate Lt Gen Pirun Pawepolsong to lead the agency, according to sources in the cabinet and the army.

Lt Gen Surapol and Lt Gen Pirun are Class 10 graduates of the Armed Forces Academy Preparatory School. Among their classmates are army leader Gen Anupong and convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Thawil also has strong backing from former NSC chief Prasong Soonsiri, who is allied to the coalition government's leading party and a key opponent of Thaksin.

Lt Gen Surapol was recently transferred to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's office as an adviser.

His tenure in the post as NSC head looked uncertain after the Democrats came to power as he was appointed to the post during the Samak Sundaravej administration.

He had been under fire for being too slow to handle national security affairs and was viewed in an unfavourable light because of his academy connection to Thaksin.

One source said Mr Thawil was likely to be promoted despite Gen Anupong's backing of Lt Gen Pirun.

Gen Anupong lobbied Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security issues, to keep Lt Gen Surapol, the source said.

The premier said yesterday the transfer of Lt Gen Surapol had nothing to do with Thaksin. It was a matter of appropriate reshuffling of government officials.

"We believe the reshuffle will improve the security apparatus," he said.

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the government would try to fill the NSC post as quickly as possible. The new chief must possess very good knowledge of international affairs and be able to familiarise himself with international crime syndicates which pose a threat to national security, he said.

When asked about the post of NSC chief, Gen Anupong said: "The NSC has nothing to do with the army. It's a matter for the PM's Office."

A cabinet source said one of the problems of Lt Gen Surapol was that he had been accused of taking part in the issuing of a statement affirming that the joint Thai-Cambodian communique supporting the listing of the Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site would not cause Thailand to lose any territory.

A surge in violence in the deep South was also behind the transfer, the source said, as Mr Suthep was dissatisfied with Lt Gen Surapol's lacklustre performance in curtailing the unrest.

The Al-Furqan mosque attack in Cho Airong district of Narathiwat on June 8 was the last straw, the source said.

Mr Suthep decided to move Lt Gen Surapol following the mosque bloodshed which left 10 worshippers dead and 12 injured.

Lt Gen Surapol also had reportedly failed to gain the cooperation of his subordinates. The NSC under his leadership had reputedly failed to make any concrete achievements.

Under his command it had been unable to curb the influx of Rohingya migrants, reduce violence in the deep South or prevent people from committing lese majeste.

Until the new chief is appointed, Mr Thawil will be acting secretary-general.

The source said Mr Suthep was reported to be planning to name Lt Gen Chavalit Jarujinda for the post.