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Published on September 24, 2007

Saprang and Bannawit are long-time allies who both consistently opposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Bannawit said he did not understand why Saprang was "punished" for being honest and loyal to Sonthi.

Saprang was kicked upstairs to become another deputy permanent secretary of the Defence Ministry, when he was in contention to become the next Army Commander-in-Chief.

"Though he was appointed to a higher post, it is like a clerical job. He will just have to sit in a small room with nothing much to do. That makes it look bad for him. If he had been appointed as deputy supreme commander, he would have had more prestige,'' Bannawit said.

Saprang has always defended Sonthi, saying he was a good man of high integrity, said Bannawit, who is also a member of the National Legislative Assembly.

Saprang should have been rewarded for his loyalty and positioned at the forefront of the opposition to Thaksin, Bannawit said.

He said Saprang had told him that Sonthi had not talked to him at all before the military reshuffle, which sent him the message that he would not be promoted to Army chief.

"Sonthi is to blame for this. He should be ashamed of himself because people had high hopes for Saprang as the country is not in a normal situation. If there is a problem after the election, Saprang could have done anything without fear,'' Bannawit said.

Meanwhile, Saprang said yesterday that he did not feel slighted for being passed over, adding that "everything is over" for him.

The general said he would discuss the matter further after Monday, October 1, when the new military transfers begin to take effect.

He denied any conflict with Sonthi, saying he had retained a strong bond with the next Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, and congratulated him on his promotion.