Chamlong arrest alters calculations

Chamlong was nabbed yesterday morning at a polling station in Dusit when he showed up to cast his vote for the Bangkok gubernatorial election.

In a show of mutual cordiality, Metropolitan police officer Colonel Sarathoon Pradit gave a salute to Chamlong, who is a retired major-general, before showing him the way to a police vehicle. A smiling Chamlong slightly nodded his head in recognition of the arresting officer and got into the car.

Sarathoon served the standing warrant to arrest Chamlong on serious charges, including treason, relating to the PAD-led street protests and the August 26 raid of NBT station and the siege of Government House.

Chamlong's ally General Panlop Pinmanee said he suspected the PAD had plotted the arrest in a bid to fuel the opposition movement and gain leverage over the government.

"Another PAD leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong has been in police custody since Friday and it is impossible for the PAD to be blindsided and careless to let police arrest Chamlong without any forewarning," Panlop said.

He said he suspected the PAD had planned the arrest to happen in order to sway anti-government sentiment.

He also voiced concern that the reconciliation negotiations between the government and the PAD might collapse.

General Pirat Samipak, an aide to Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, admitted that Chamlong's arrest had foiled his mediation efforts.

Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutharak said his party suspected the government might adopt a two-faced stand by preaching about reconciliation while bullying the PAD leaders.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat appeared to have sent out conflicting signals when he insisted on forging a settlement with the PAD while the police rounded up Chaiwat and Chamlong, Buranat said.

MP Nisit Sinthuprai from the "Friends of Newin" faction claimed that Chamlong wanted the police to arrest him in order to win public sympathy.

The PAD's recent push to advance the idea of new politics had received lukewarm response and Chaiwat's arrest on Friday gained scant attention, hence Chamlong put up himself as a stake, Nisit said.

He said the government had no involvement in serving the warrants for Chaiwat and Chamlong.

With regard to the government-PAD negotiations, he said he was sceptical about the PAD's intentions to settle political rifts.

Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong said the political situation became precarious following Chamlong's arrest.

Thepthai said political animosity might increase inside and ouside Parliament. He urged lawmakers to intensify their efforts to bring about political reform.

Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun voiced concern that politics might plunge into a tailspin.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart said police had no choice under the circumstances but to arrest Chamlong. If police failed to serve Chamlong's warrant, they would be faulted for lapse of duty, he said.

Sanan said he might visit Chamlong during his detention as they have been friends since their days in the military service.

Prime Minister Somchai dismissed speculation that his government gave the green light for the police to nab PAD leaders.

The warrants have been approved by the courts months ago and the suspects happened to have shown up right in front of police, he said, arguing the arrests were unavoidable.

He played down concern that the reconciliation might veer off course, saying the arrests of two PAD leaders and the negotiations were two separate issues.

Another PAD leader Pipop Thongchai rejected the allegation that the PAD was behind Chamlong's arrest.

The government used bullying tactics to raise trumped-up charges and the police acted like a lapdog to serve the wrongful warrants, Pipop said.

He praised Chamlong for casting his vote even though police were waiting to arrest him.

The PAD will carry on protests in a peaceful manner regardless of how provocative the government might be, he said.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul said anti-government protesters should boost their presence at the rally site inside Government House in a show of defiance.

Chamlong wanted his supporters to attend the rally site instead of visiting him at his detention cell, Sondhi said.