AEC gets a salute from 'CNS'

All the key members of the CNS, including former deputy secretary-general Saprang Kalayanamitr, joined the party.

Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force Air Chief Marshall Chalit Pookphasuk, a former caretaker CNS chief, said the AEC had not worked for the CNS but for the country.

Former CNS chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said he was pleased with the work of the AEC, while the cases in court are now in the hands of the judicial system.

During the dinner, some AEC members asked Sonthi about the current political situation. In a whisper, Sonthi said the situation was not very good.

Special attention will be needed in October, when many of the key members of the CNS and high-ranking officers retire from the military.

"The AEC-investigated cases should be completed before October, when major transfers will take place. Otherwise, the other side would be in an advantageous position as it could control the power in the military," Sonthi said.

When it was the time for the AEC chairman to thank the CNS leaders, the 72-year-old Nam Yimyaem forgot to name Sonthi, the man behind the CNS.

Reporters covering the AEC's work gave each of the committee's members a box similar to the controversial box of chocolates placed at the Supreme Court.

In the bag was not Bt2 million, or any bribe, but a plain T-shirt as a souvenir to remind them of the good memories.

budsarakom@nationgroup.com

PM keeps all guessing

Despite calls for a Cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insists it will not happen anytime soon.

His reasons are simple. First, it is to show he makes his own decisions, and is not subject to anyone's influence. He is unyielding to pressure from coalition parties, the opposition - and especially the media.

When he saw articles on the Cabinet reshuffle in the media, he uttered angrily "Nosey!"

Another reason is that Samak wants to solve the problems in his People Power Party.

The post of PM's Office minister, which has been vacant since Jakrapob Penkair resigned more than a month ago, has not been filled. The group of northern MPs supporting Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and the group of northeastern MPs supporting former Thai Rak Thai executive Newin Chidchob are competing to get the seat.

Before they can agree, Samak will say he is waiting for the Constitution Court's ruling on the case of Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap and Deputy Commerce Minister Wiroon Techapaiboon, who failed to make proper declarations of their assets to the anti-graft agency.

piyanart@nationgroup.com