Pawns on a political battlefield
ANALYSIS: Soldiers backing Anupong Paojinda have put a new slant on a volatile scenario,
- Published: 28/01/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
A show of support for army chief Anupong Paojinda by soldiers around the country can be interpreted as a warning to the junior coalition parties, which are locked in conflict with the Democrat Party over amendments to the constitution.
Old school Thais
Army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol, left, shakes hands with 4th Army commander Pichet Wisaijorn, a former classmate at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Class 11. Lt Gen Pichet yesterday received the ‘‘Chakra Dao’’ outstanding alumnus award on the occasion of the institute’s 50th anniversary. WASSANANANUAM
More than 1,000 troops at the 2nd Infantry Division based in Prachin Buri yesterday gathered at the central province camp to pledge their support for Gen Anupong. They were led by Maj Gen Walit Rojanapakdi.
Soldiers at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkok are today expected to repeat the performance by publicly backing Gen Anupong. They are to be led by Col Apirat Kongsompong.
More units will follow their lead, as an army source said troops in other camps, mainly in the capital, were also planning to answer the call.
The green light for the move came from deputy army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha and 1st Army chief Kanit Sapitak, another source said.
Soldiers wanted to tell Gen Anupong they were behind him in his conflict with army specialist Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng.
Maj Gen Khattiya is the main suspect in the grenade attack on Gen Anupong's office at the army headquarters on Jan 15 and is a regular critic of the army chief. He has made it clear he now backs ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
"Now there are some officers who are behaving improperly by criticising their commanders in the media," said Col Chamawit Satrod, chief of staff at the 2nd Infantry Division, apparently referring to the outspoken Seh Daeng.
"They have no discipline and do not care about orders from their supervisors. That taints the image of the army."
Maj Gen Walit shared this sentiment, saying he could not stand seeing the army's reputation damaged by "undisciplined soldiers".
"If soldiers don't have discipline, they are no different from bandits," he said.
The show of support is not only aimed at comforting the army chief but also at putting pressure on the coalition parties. Relations between the Democrats and their allies are looking shaky. The Democrats on Tuesday decided not to join their five partners in amending the constitution.
"There is concern that the coalition parties could switch their support to Puea Thai," a source in the army said. "What the soldiers are doing now is putting the brakes on the idea."
What the army is worried about is uncertainty about the successor to Gen Anupong if the tide of politics turns.
Gen Prayuth is a strong contender to be promoted to the top army post. Gen Anupong has also reshuffled many key commanders by replacing those suspected of supporting Thaksin with those in whom he has put his trust since he became army commander.
The army "wanted to send a message to the coalition parties in the government not to switch camp", the same source said. "If they do that, many key army figures will be in trouble, especially deputy army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, who will retire in 2014, because he might not have a chance to succeed Gen Anupong, who will retire after September."
Gen Anupong will leave for a trip to the US from Feb 5 to 14 and leave Gen Prayuth in charge of the army.
Gen Prayuth yesterday gave his assurance the army would not stage a coup while his supervisor was away to put an end to the political conflict between the Democrats and their coalition allies.
Yesterday, Maj Gen Khattiya and Gen Anupong joined events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School but they did not meet each other amid tight security.
Maj Gen Khattiya is banned from entering anywhere in the 4th Cavalry Battalion in the Kiakkai area of Bangkok besides his own residence, according to an order issued yesterday.
About the author
- Writer: Wassana Nanuam
- Position: Reporter
