Sonthi mum on future

A '99% chance' he won't run in general election

Junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday declined to comment on his future if Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont resigns under pressure from his embattled government.

"Everything remains speculative, and I will let things run their course," he said.

In a related development, Sonthi said during the recording of a popular TV programme yesterday evening that there was now  a "99-per-cent" chance that he would not stand in the upcoming general election.

Talking to reporters hours before the prime minister returned from a trip to New York, Sonthi said he had not had a chance to talk with Surayud about the new Cabinet line-up.

"I'm willing to take up any positions necessary to safeguard national security," he said in reference to speculation that he might assume the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister.

His Cabinet appointment remains in a state of flux until a royal command is issued, he said.

He has no intention to exercise control over the general election, as his priority is security affairs, he added.

"The Election Commission has a direct role to supervise the polls. and the Interior Ministry, if I become involved, has a supportive role," he said.

Attempts to topple the Surayud government would be futile, he said.

"The government has less than three months remaining of its term, and opponents should think about the country before trying to do anything in such a limited time."

All parties should work to make the general election a success rather than derail it, he said.

According to reports he has received, certain lawmakers in the National Legislative Assembly are spearheading to the move to depose Surayud.

"I don't know whether there are any outside figures behind these lawmakers, but I think Surayud should rethink why his government keeps coming under legislative attack and try to solve the problem," he said.

The conspiracy theory about forcing Surayud to reshuffle his Cabinet is flawed because the prime minister alone can name the new roster and any pressure to force out a minister does not automatically mean bringing in a replacement as people can be rotated, he said.

As rumours spread that the People's Alliance for Democracy is behind the move to discredit the interim government, Pipob Thongchai, one of the five PAD leaders, said three PAD factions were bent on squeezing Surayud out.

They are the northeastern chapter of the PAD linked to PAD leader Somkiart Pongpaiboon, the television talk-show hosted by PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul and PAD-nominated lawmakers seen as close to Sondhi's Manager Group.

"If the three PAD factions had acted six months ago, I would've agreed to support them, but now I think it's useless to find a new prime minister," Pipob said.

The junta chief should keep out of the interim government, as his appointment would provide ready ammunition for supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to sway votes, he said.

"Sonthi should study the lessons of past junta leaders before trying to cling to power and risking attacks by his own supporters as well as ousted politicians whom he toppled," he said.

Right after arriving back at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Surayud said he would firm up his Cabinet first thing on Monday morning.

He said he knew about the three ministers on their way out and the four others facing ethical probes into excess stockholdings.

"In principle, I will leave it up to the individual ministers to decide their own paths before finalising the details on the Cabinet reshuffle," he said.

The ethical transgressions involving Cabinet members are serious but not fatal to the government because none of his ministers abused their office to amass ill-gotten gains, he said.

"I think the people will understand the circumstances and constraints facing each interim minister in getting the job," he said, voicing optimism that some ministers might opt to stay on after rectifying shareholding cap violations.

He said he would finalise his decision about the extent of change to his team before meeting his ministers on Monday at 9am.

"I have already talked with Sonthi about his Cabinet position, so there's no need to consult with him again," he said.

Regarding criticism that his estate might intrude into national parkland in Nakhon Ratchasima, he said the National Counter Corruption Commission had already released its findings on the case.

"I have never claimed to be a perfect man and am only a reformed thief," he said, insisting that despite his flaws, he strives to do good deeds.

He said he was ready to defend his own record and that of his government in the upcoming debate on the government's performance.

"I'm willing to explain everything and will not bow to pressure to quit my job as I'm committed to bringing about the general election on December 23," he said.