Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit has stepped into the political spotlight as the organiser of an anti-government rally to be held at the Royal Turf Club on Sunday.
Boonlert: Red shirts ‘offend the monarchy’
Gen Boonlert, 69, has been approached to lead the rally by activists opposing ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Among those who have sought out his support are multi-coloured group leader Tul Sitthisomwong, scholar Pramote Nakhonthap, Senator Somjet Boonthanom and activist Adm Chai Suwannaphap.
"I have accepted the invitation because the government has allowed red-shirt associated media to offend the institution of the monarchy," he said.
Gen Boonlert's decision to get involved has raised eyebrows, as he is the president of the Armed Forces Academics Preparatory School Alumni Foundation, president of Class 1 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS) and the classmate of former prime minister Gen Surayud Chulanont at AFAPS.
Gen Surayud was the prime minister installed by coup leaders after they toppled the government of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. Gen Boonlert insisted the rally has no connection to Gen Surayud, who is also a privy councillor.
Gen Boonlert said he has no affiliation with the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) or the opposition Democrat Party.
"I myself have no colour but I have friends in all colour groups," he said.
Gen Boonlert said corruption in the Yingluck Shinawatra administration is another reason he has decided to act as flag-bearer for the rally.
Gen Boonlert said too much corruption has taken place under the current government, with projects ranging from flood prevention projects to the rice pledging scheme being tainted by graft.
The government has also interfered in the work of civil servants by transferring several high ranking officers without good reason, he said.
Gen Boonlert said he is not being paid to organise the event.
Gen Boonlert says he and his friends have chipped in to cover the estimated 500,000 baht to stage the rally. Expenses will be low because they will not be trucking people in from other provinces to attend, the general said. Most of the money will be spent on food and beverages and organising fees, he added.
He shrugged off the government's estimate that the event will draw only 3,000 people.
"Let's wait and see. The Royal Turf Club of Thailand can accommodate 25,000 people," said Gen Boonlert, who is also honorary secretary of the Royal Turf Club _ former premier Gen Surayud is president of the club.
Asked about the prospect of Thaksin returning to Thailand, Gen Boonlert said he thinks the exiled leader should not come back because it would cause political chaos.
"If he wants to come back, he needs to be jailed. In a case such as his, he would probably be granted bail in two weeks and after that he would have to seek a royal pardon," he said.
Gen Boonlert said he harboured doubts about the loyalty of Thaksin and the red shirts to the monarchy and this is the main reason he decided to organise the rally.