There's a new 'Gang of Four'

Last year, the Gang of Four exposed by Pheu Thai Roi Et MP Sakda Khongpetch comprised of Samak Sundaravej, then-PM and leader of now-defunct People Power Party (PPP); Teerapol Noprampa, then PM's secretary-general; banned member of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party Newin Chidchob; and then-Finance Minister and PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee.

The 2008 gang aimed to seize power from ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and get some "special benefits" from the national budget. However, this gang came to an end after Samak lost his power.

Now a new "Gang of Four" has emerged with different members, though Newin might have part in this one too. So, who is in this gang?

According to Sakda, the new gang consists of a "grey-haired" member of the elite; a former Army chief who is still a big shot; an influential figure outside the Parliament; and a powerful person within the Parliament.

Sakda elaborated on the gang in an interview with Matichon newspaper yesterday. Here is an excerpt:

The grey-haired man gives them legal aid; the "big" Army guy links politicians up with the military; the chap outside the Parliament, with pouting lips, has dozens of MPs under his control, is calculating and ungrateful; while the man inside Parliament has a "receding hairline" and would have never been part of this government if things hadn't changed.

The four men may seek different benefits but their goal is the same - getting rid of Thaksin, Sakda explained.

The grey-haired man does not want Thaksin to return and cause more problems. The Army guy might want some "benefits" from military projects. The figure outside Parliament probably hopes to rule the country again, and will get the chance if Thaksin is kept away. As for the man with the receding hairline, if he does not join forces with the grey-haired man and the one with the pout, then his party won't have a chance to stay in power.

Sakda has apparently closely analysed this gang, because he says it wants to reduce the Pheu Thai Party to nothing and that the person who would benefit the most from all this is the influential chap outside Parliament.

"This man will make his party powerful through bargaining and will make the party leader into the next PM. He will turn Pheu Thai and Democrats into oil and water, two things that don't mix, but will give his party access to ultimate power," he said.

jintana@nationgroup.com