PM cancels Sa Kaeo trip
P rime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s planned trip to Sa Kaeo province yesterday was axed after critics questioned whether it was a ploy to court local politicians to support him to return as premier after the general election expected in February 2019.
The premier last week made a mobile cabinet trip to Surin and Buri Ram where he was greeted by 30,000 people reportedly mobilised by Newin Chidchob, the veteran politician-turned sports impresario, whose stronghold is in Buri Ram.
The government insisted that its provincial visits were not politically motivated and the planned trip to Sa Kaeo had been cancelled because Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was not available to attend a function on the proposed date.
Veteran politician Sanoh Thienthong, whose stronghold is in Sa Kaeo, had told media he would greet the premier during the visit.
Both Gen Prayut and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon served in the border province while they were young soldiers.
In particular, Gen Prawit and Mr Sanoh are said to have been on friendly terms for a long time, a source said.
The source said Gen Prawit has known Mr Sanoh for about 30-40 years since he was a lieutenant colonel serving in the army’s Prachin Buri-based 2nd Infantry Division, Queen’s Guard, which bred the powerful military clique nicknamed the Burapha Phayak (Tigers of the East).
Its members include the likes of former army chiefs Gen Prawit, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda.
The 2nd Infantry Division supervises security operations in the eastern provinces which include Sa Kaeo where Mr Sanoh wields considerable political influence. So, it was no secret that Gen Prawit and Mr Sanoh are in regular contact, the source said.
In light of this, observers believe that the regime is now trying to lure Mr Sanoh into its fold. Mr Sanoh currently controls the Wang Nam Yen faction of politicians which forms part of the Pheu Thai Party.
Paisal Puechmongkol, an assistant to Gen Prawit, posted on Facebook that he had visited Mr Sanoh several times during the past two months, which has only fuelled speculation of a move by the regime to secure support from Mr Sanoh.
This prompted Gen Prawit to deny Mr Paisal had acted on his instructions. Gen Prawit insisted that there was nothing political about the meeting between his assistant and Mr Sanoh.
The regime has faced a barrage of accusations that it is forming a military-backed party to lure veteran politicians from existing political parties to support Gen Prayut staying on as prime minister after a general election.
Of the new parties which have registered with the Election Commission, the Pracharath Party is thought likely to be a proxy for the regime.
There is also talk of possible efforts to form a government of national unity which will include all parties so Gen Prayut will not have to face grillings from parties in the opposition bench and can concentrate fully on his work, the source said.
With a great deal of political clout and connections with several political parties, Gen Prawit is believed to be playing a key role in manoeuvring to help Gen Prayut return to power, the source said.