Former Army Chief General Pravit Vongsuwan yesterday became another contender for the role of speaker of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) with some legislators from the military camp said to be preparing to nominate him.

While the two leading candidates, Meechai Ruchuphan and Prasong Soonsiri, are engaged in a tight race for the position and are both drawing flak from critics, Pravit could be the dark horse that wins the race, a source from the NLA has said.

The source said some legislators from the military were going to nominate Pravit as a candidate next Tuesday because he was well respected, honest and retired.

However, Pravit denied that he had been approached to contest the position. "We have to wait and see on the day of voting," he said.

Legislator Sangsit Piriyarangsan has proposed that General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the chairman of the Council of National Security (CNS), have a private talk with Meechai and Prasong before voting day to ease tension and promote reconciliation in Parliament.

"The president must unite parliamentarians; otherwise it will be an obstacle to administration," he said.

Sangsit admitted he had been approached to be deputy speaker under Prasong if Prasong was appointed speaker.

Meechai yesterday remained ambivalent in the face of mounting pressure to stay out of the race.

"I can't tell you if I will fight on or retreat, because I don't know who will propose whom. I don't care whether they [NLA members] vote for me or not," he said

On Thursday ex-senator Pratin Santiprapop claimed Meechai had a blemished record and said he should resign from his seat in the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) rather than run for speaker.

Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, criticised the CNS for backing Meechai. He said that although the public had shown goodwill towards the coup-makers, people had started wondering about the CNS' intentions in supporting Meechai.

Opposition to Meechai has gradually increased. Now members of the People's Alliance for Democracy in many provinces have sent postcards to the CNS voicing their opposition to Meechai, Suriyasai said.

"I'm worried that the CNS may create enemies unnecessarily. Whenever a parliamentary resolution goes against public sentiment, legitimacy disappears," he said.

Legislator Chamlong Srimuang said the new speaker need not be a legal expert but had to be tough and keen on keeping order in the assembly.

Legislator Admiral Bannawit Kengrien voiced his support for Prasong, saying he was the person most suited for the job because he had been foreign minister and was an international-relations and intelligence expert.

Nerisa Neuykhiew,

Prapasri Osathanon

The Nation