Anupong warns his troops against politics

Prem calls for unity, patience

Anupong warns his troops against politics

WASSANA NANUAM

Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda called for patience and continued dedication to the country yesterday, his first message since Sunday's polls saw the People Power party (PPP) win a mandate to try to form a government.

His message was delivered during a meeting at his Si Sao Thewes residence with members and executives of the Rak Muang Thai, Khao Yai National Park Protection and Statesman foundations.

Those present included Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin and Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit.

Everyone should be strong and patient, support unity and sacrifice themselves for the nation, said Gen Prem, who had repeatedly urged the public to oppose corruption when prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in power.

The gods would protect and bless such devotees in return, he added.

Mr Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party, which was disbanded by a military-appointed tribunal on May 30 this year for election fraud, continues to exercise influence through the PPP.

Gen Sonthi, who ousted Mr Thaksin in the Sept 19, 2006 coup, remained tight-lipped at Gen Prem's house on reactions to the PPP's election victory.

He transferred military officers close to Mr Thaksin from key positions to inactive posts before staging the coup.

The former army chief appeared again at the army headquarters in Bangkok yesterday evening, attending the alumni party of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy with his successor Gen Anupong Paojinda.

Gen Anupong, who was in the same class as Mr Thaksin at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, said he was prepared to accept whatever the new government handed him.

''I will yield if [the new government] wants to dismiss me. I will not use the army to protect myself. The new government will be the commander and can do it under the law,'' he said.

''I will not let soldiers get involved, because it's a personal matter,'' he added.

But prior to attending the reunion, army chief Gen Anupong called a meeting with about 600 senior officers who command the regional armies, divisions, regiments and battalions nationwide.

A military source interpreted this as a show of force by Gen Anupong, who tightened his grip soon after being promoted to army chief at the beginning of October, by reshuffling officers in key positions nationwide.

Gen Anupong pointed out that as far as the election was concerned every soldier had done well and had honest intentions towards the country, although some people might not understand that.

The army chief was apparently referring to Lt-Col Polsak Sripen, commander of the Third Battalion of the First Infantry Regiment Royal Guard, whose instruction to his men to vote for the Democrat party was taped.

''I know that was done in good faith, not because any relative ran as a candidate. So I will not punish anyone because everyone did it for good [reasons],'' Gen Anupong said.

He told army commanders to love the nation, be professional soldiers and beware of political interference.

''You must be careful, because under the present circumstances politics has reached the army. The army is not like it was before. Now you don't know who is who,'' Gen Anupong said.

After the meeting, army deputy spokesman Col Sirijan Ngathong said Gen Anupong told his soldiers to maintain their political neutrality and devote themselves to the national interest and unity, as His Majesty the King had repeatedly urged recently.

The top brass will meet Gen Prem tomorrow to wish him a happy New Year, an annual tradition.