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Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has kept his guard up in recent weeks to ensure he survives a plot to postpone the election - due on December 23 - by derailing his premiership.

Fierce enemies of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra are getting tough in their campaign to oust Surayud in a bid to indefinitely postpone the poll, because the People Power Party - thought to be under Thaksin's influence - may have a chance of winning. They are upset more has not been achieved during the Surayud government's year in office and want more time to undermine his capacity to win the poll.

Key players in the alleged plot are familiar faces that worked hard to overthrow Thaksin during two years of political turmoil.

Prasong Soonsiri

Prasong, a fierce enemy of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is believed a mastermind behind the plan to delay the December 23 election. He is upset with Surayud, whom he said failed to accomplish the coup leaders' goal to eliminate Thaksin's ability to return to power.

Last week, Prasong led a group of about 30 members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), who called for a session to question PM Surayud over eight of his Cabinet members violating the shareholding limit and having conflicts of interest.

But what could be worse for Surayud, who insists he will not resign under any circumstances, is that Prasong aims to "execute" him by revealing evidence that reportedly shows the prime minister illegally owns a plot of land in a national park in Nakhon Ratchasima, as claimed previously.

Prasong made his move in response to an out-of-the-blue report by Klanarong Chantik, a member of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC), that several ministers of Surayud violated the ethical standard for politicians.

Prasong has rapidly grasped the ball from Klanarong, one of his close allies and a fierce enemy of Thaksin, and appears keen to build up the issue into a national ethical issue. Other close allies have begun to call for Surayud to show responsibility.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan, allegedly a minister "sponsored" by the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, urged those alleged ministers to quit to set a high ethical standard for politicians.

Media outlets under Sondhi Limthongkul's Manager Group played up the issue and said that Surayud should resign.

Sitthichai Pokaiyaudom, reportedly close to Sondhi, resigned as the Information and Communication Technology Minister shortly after he was named by Klanarong. Although his shareholdings did not violate the law according to the 2007 Constitution, he said it was his responsibility as a politician to step down.

With Sitthichai's rapid exit, the four other ministers found it hard to resist growing pressure and quit shortly after.

Saprang Kalayanamitr

Saprang is a military leader who played a key role in the September 19 coup. He had been the favoured candidate to succeed junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin as the Army chief-of-command.

Opponents of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra have from time to time called for Surayud to resign, but he has so far defied the pressure. They allege the PM was unwilling to punish Thaksin.

When the prime minister endorsed General Anupong Paochinda - a classmate of the former PM - to become the new Army chief, this was "the last straw" for Thaksin's rivals.

Prasong, Sondhi and leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy cried foul over the decision. They felt they were betrayed after years of fighting Thaksin until the military intervened and appointed Surayud as premier.

They wondered if Surayud had reached a deal with Thaksin to undermine their clout and pave the way for him to return to power.

A series of scandals involving Surayud's ministers has been revealed since Saprang was moved from a powerful post in the Army to a lesser role - deputy permanent secretary - at the Defence Ministry.

Sondhi Limthongkul

Sondhi is one of the first of Thaksin's enemies to campaign against Surayud. His ties with Prasong Soonsiri and key members of the People's Alliance (PAD) are still solid despite Thaksin having been ousted a year ago.

Sondhi is disappointed with the Surayud government, which has not always cooperated with the anti-graft agencies looking into charges against Thaksin. He blamed Surayud for making a compromise with the ousted premier, saying it was like slapping the face of Thaksin's opponents, who could not accept such reconciliation.

ASTV and Phujadkan newspaper have, under Sondhi, attacked Surayud for more than half a year. Meanwhile, he backed his main ally General Saprang Kalayanamitr to become the Army chief. He claimed that only a strongman like Saprang would be able to resist Thaksin and his clan, which are said to be ready to spend a fortune to regain the reins of power. However, Surayud allowed Anupong to succeed General Sonthi.

Sondhi has travelled to the US to campaign among overseas Thais Surayud is helping Thaksin to get back home by turning a blind eye to charges against the ousted premier. His voice has been a key part of the campaign for a "licence to kill" the softly spoken PM.

As part of the People's Alliance led by Sondhi and several other seasoned activists, key PAD member Somkiat Pongpaiboon led the Northeastern People's Assembly to call on Tuesday for Surayud to "show responsibility" for his ministers' ethical lapses and his own land scandal.

Somkiat allegedly has close ties with Kraisak Choonhavan, another fierce opponent of Thaksin and a key member of the Democrat Party who will supervise the party's campaign in the Northeast.

Somkiat warned that his movement would rally against the government if those ministers failed to show strong evidence to the NLA group [led by Prasong and members close to Sondhi and the PAD] to defending the allegations in the upcoming debate.

Klanarong Chantik

Without reporting to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, Klanarong, a National Counter Corruption Commissioner, told the press on Sept 20 three ministers were found to have shareholdings over the legal limit. His surprising move has been linked the plot to oust Surayud and alleged plan to delay the election till some time in the New Year.

Klanarong, who was involved in the assets concealment case against Thaksin in mid-2001, claimed that because of a technicality - the suspension of the 1997 Constitution - none of the three could be charged. However, he pointed out that the NCCC deemed it as misconduct.

Shortly afterward, five other ministers were named has having conflicts of interest. Within a week or so, five of these Cabinet members decided to quit after facing growing pressure.

Klanarong denied the NCCC had a hidden agenda to cooperate with Prasong and other rivals of Thaksin to remove Surayud, saying it was coincidental this his move was followed by an attempt by almost 30 NLA members, led by Prasong, to censure Surayud over his land scandal and ministers' holdings.

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin

Sonthi recently retired as the Army chief and resigned as chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS). He was then appointed into the Surayud government as deputy prime minister for security affairs.

Junta leader Sonthi is alleged to be part of the plot. He is quoted several times by military sources as saying he had told Prasong Soonsiri about his strategic moves. Although Sonthi would be out of a job if Surayud was forced to resign, he may also have a chance to become the next prime minister.

If Surayud quits, it is not clear, according to the 2007 Constitution, who would succeed him because Parliament does not formally exist until an elected government takes power. Given that potential power vacuum, and legal loopholes, anti-Thaksin forces could find a "proper" way to propel Sonthi to power.

In early May, the then CNS chief reportedly sent a signal to Surayud that his time as PM was running out. More than 50 activists from the Assembly of Isaan People met with Sonthi, and urged him to remove the PM from office "before the country fell apart".

In an uncommon approach to his visitors, Sonthi opened a meeting room at the Army headquarters to welcome the group, then promised to consider their request. They even took group photographs.

Given the supposed rift with Surayud and close tie to Prasong - Sonthi could get most benefit from Surayud leaving.

Weerayut Chokchaimadon

 The Nation