It seems almost inevitable that General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh will play a role in Thai politics again, despite the uneasy chill in his relations with the military top brass.

An obvious point is the recent report of his conflict with Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont, so much so that he had to write to the premier to clarify his stance. The controversy erupted after one of his close aides, a former Thai Rak Thai MP, claimed that Chavalit had assigned some of his men to dig up information about how Surayud had got a railway carriage in the yard of his home in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Denying his involvement, Chavalit wrote: "Although my political ideology and that of others are different, I've never thought of being mean. Please be informed."

The train controversy could imply that Chavalit was taking a critical position regarding the interim government.

This marks a continuation of his earlier moves to discomfit the government - by criticising its work, calling for permission to let  Thaksin Shinawatra return to the country, or suggesting another coup to bring down the CNS.

There has also been speculation of a strong possible connection and communication between Chavalit and the former prime minister, and that he might be a nominee for Thaksin and his group.

The coup-makers are therefore keeping a close eye on Chavalit's moves, in case he tries to topple the CNS.

Besides, Chavalit was a key strategist for the Thai Rak Thai Party when his New Aspiration Party merged with Thai Rak Thai in 2001.

And now the acting Thai Rak Thai leader is Chaturon Chaisang, who is a former New Aspiration Party MP.

Also, many current Thai Rak Thai caretaker executives and key members such as deputy spokesman Ekkaporn Rakkwamsuk, Kuthep Saikrachang and Atthasit Kankai Sappayasit were once members of the New Aspiration Party.

Thai Rak Thai executives have shown some signs of possibly letting Chavalit be the leader of the party at this critical moment.

In fact, Chaturon and some key Thai Rak Thai members have met Chavalit at his house and sought advice about the present political situation. One of the discussions revolved around the possible dissolution of the party in the electoral fraud case, which is still in court.

But nothing could be more obvious of Chavalit's links with Thai Rak Thai than a comment by Ekkaporn.

He said Chavalit regularly discussed with Chaturon about taking over the post of Thai Rak Thai leader, and that he would quite likely accept the post.

"During the latest discussion, General Chavalit told us he was content to take the position of Thai Rak Thai Party leader. But he wanted a formal approval of the party's caucus. He wanted to be an intermediary between the party's key members and executives as the country is in an unbalanced condition," he said.

He said Chavalit would be useful in keeping the party together.

Ekkaporn suggested that even if the party was dissolved, Chavalit would be Thaksin's "nominee", as he wouldn't be punished for the electoral fraud case.

Meanwhile, Chavalit appears to have positioned himself to play an important role in politics, including strategically retaliating against the CNS.

Even the attempt of another key player, Sudarat Keyuraphan, to take the reins after Chaturon seems to have had no effect on him as her bargaining power is limited to former MPs from the provinces.

Judging from Chavalit's political background and his strategic moves, it seems to be becoming clearer that he is paving the way for the old clique to return to power.

Kesinee Jaikawang

The Nation