Thaksin allies purged in military, police
Dancers from a community radio station perform in front of soldiers guarding the Royal Plaza yesterday. The soldiers and tanks have become a tourist attraction.
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The military and police reshuffle has been completed - with officers seen as aligned to the ousted premier sidelined in inactive posts.
Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda has reviewed the complete list.
Army commander and Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin took the list to Prem's residence. It was reportedly - and untraditionally - approved by Prem, pending Royal endorsement. The reshuffle list is due to take effect on October 1.
Among those sidelined is Army assistant commander General Pornchai Kranlert. He becomes National Defence Institute chief.
The commanders of four Bangkok-based and Thaksin-allied units have been transferred to Army headquarters with the title of "Army specialist".
First and Third Army Region commanders Lt-General Anuphong Phaojinda and Lt-General Saprang Kalayanamitr - both instrumental in the coup - have been promoted to assistants to the Army commander.
Four police officers with close ties to Thaksin have been transferred to the Royal Thai Police and given an inactive title - "assigned to the RTP".
Permanent secretaries and directors-general of all departments under every ministry will meet at Army headquarters today, as instructed by the Office of the Civil Service Commission, its secretary-general, Preecha Watcharaphai, said yesterday.
He dismissed suggestions that the meeting was aimed at reviewing the entire reshuffle list with the Council for Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM). The reshuffle list, which involves more than 200 officials, including 45 in the C-10 and C-11 levels, was recently approved by the Thaksin Cabinet.
Preecha did not say specifically what would be discussed at today's meeting, but said it was a decision for the CDRM, whether the reshuffle list would be altered or kept as approved.
He said the CDRM wants to read through the career records of all officials on the list. Its final decision on the list will need to be made soon because the reshuffle traditionally takes effect on October 1.
Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation
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