Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr is coming under growing pressure to step down despite the army making efforts to clear him of any allegations surrounding the Rajabhakti Park project.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the former army chief is a grown man and should know the best course of action to take without waiting for a signal from the government.
"He's a grown man and he can think for himself. He served as an army commander. There's no need for me to tell him what to do," he said.
Gen Prawit's comments, the first since the corruption allegations in the Rajabhakti Park project surfaced, are being seen by political observers as a signal for Gen Udomdej -- who as then army chief was responsible for the Rajabhakti Park project -- to act.
- Earlier report: Red shirt leaders detained
- Commentary: Commentary: A military shot to the foot
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They come as Adm Phajun Tampratheep, former close aide to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, said he would step down if he was in Gen Udomdej's shoes, even if he had nothing to do with the alleged irregularities.
"It's about maturity. Some people think allegations do not reach them [and there's no need to take action].
"I'm not talking about political responsibility. It's about taking responsibility for your job. It takes courage. It's time this kind of thing happened in our society," he said.
Pressure on Gen Udomdej seems a somewhat desperate measure. Less than two weeks ago, as the graphic below shows, the government and army believed they had a workable plan to completely protect the former army chief.
Gen Udomdej, also chairman of the Rajabhakti Park Foundation, earlier admitted that an amulet trader had demanded commission fees from foundries contracted to cast the statues of former kings at Rajabhakti Park.
Moreover, his former close aides, Khachachart Boondee who was stripped of his army rank, and Maj Gen Suchart Prommai, face arrest warrants in connection with a high-profile lese majeste case.
Gen Prawit has ordered a fresh probe into alleged corruption in the construction of the park, but Adm Phajun said if the results turns out the same as the army's internal one they would be useless.
The Defence Ministry inquiry is headed by deputy permanent secretary for defence Gen Chaicharn Changmongkol. Any irregularities will be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Office of the Auditor-General.
A source at the Defence Ministry said Gen Udomdej is waiting for the results of the Chaicharn committee probe before making a decision on whether to step down.
Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya admitted the alleged irregularities surrounding the park had had an impact on the government's credibility.
"We can't say it hasn't had an effect because political groups are coming out [to criticise]. But we need to listen closely to what they are saying and what they are getting at. I've been saying it's not what they are trying to make it appear," he said.
Meanwhile, five red shirts, including core members Jatuporn Prompan and Nattawut Saikuar, were detained Monday by soldiers while they were on their way to visit the park.
They were released a few hours later.
Red-shirt leaders Jatuporn Prompan (in white shirt) left and colleague Nattawut Saikuar were grabbed by soldiers at Mahachai market in Samut Sakhon Monday while on their way to visit Rajabhakti Park. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
Mr Nattawut was taken into custody after speaking to reporters at Mahachai market in Samut Sakhon.
As he was being led away, Mr Jatuporn arrived and was detained immediately. Yossawaris Chuklom, alias Jeng Dokchick, was also detained at the market by soldiers.
The three red-shirt leaders were taken away in a convoy which arrived at the 16th Army Circle headquarters in Ratchaburi shortly before noon. Two others, Somwang Asarasi and Thanawut Wichaidit, were stopped and detained at a petrol station in Ratchaburi.
A source at the National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) peace-keeping force, said Mr Jatuporn and Mr Nattawut were held at the 9th Infantry Division in Kanchanaburi.
Both signed an agreement stating they would not engage in any political activities before being released Monday evening, said the source.
"Army chief Gen Theerachai Nakvanich, who is the commander of the NCPO's peace-keeping force, thought this time an agreement had to be signed. They were released after being detained after verbally agreeing not to engage in political activities," the source said.
NCPO spokesman Winthai Suvaree said Mr Jatuporn and Mr Nattawut were detained because the military viewed their trip as a political one which could have led to unrest.
He said they have criticised the project using the word "corruption" which has not yet been established by authorities.
He said Mr Jatuporn and Mr Nattawut's actions were not helpful to the ongoing investigation process. Talking to reporters just before his detention, Mr Nattawut said the purpose of his park visit was not political. He said he was a concerned citizen who just wanted to find out how the investigation was progressing.
"We have no hidden plan. There is no other plan after this. And it's not to cover up probes into alleged irregularities [in the previous government]," he said.
Gen Prawit had earlier warned the red-shirt leaders not to go to the park because it would be seen as being politically motivated.
"If they go there, it will become a political issue. A defence committee is investigating. If they go there, they'd just turn the political spotlight on it.
"As I have said, soldiers are not playing politics. Whatever is right is right, and whatever is wrong is wrong," he said.