Probe into Seh Daeng trip, remarks

A senior military officer, who is an avid supporter of Thaksin Shinawatra, is being investigated for a recent trip to meet the fugitive ex-premier in Cambodia - and for remarks deemed damaging to the Army.

A committee was set up last week to investigate Maj-General Khattiya Sawatdiphol, an Army specialist, for possible disciplinary and criminal punishment, Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.

The probe focuses on reports Khattiya left the country without permission and that he gave interviews in a way that affected the Army's image, according to the spokesman.

He said junior officers would be formally rebuked for a similar offence. "But as a senior officer, Maj-General Khattiya was supposed to have better judgement as to what to do and what not," the spokesman explained.

He said the matter would be brought to a court martial if the probe team found grounds of wrongdoing.

Khattiya, who is better known as "Seh Daeng" from his days as chief of staff, went to Cambodia last month to meet Thaksin, who was then on a visit to the neighbouring country after being appointed as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

The major-general admitted yesterday he also visited Thaksin at his house in Dubai, a port city in the United Arab Emirates, two weeks ago "to talk to him about his current life and about his political fight".

He said a number of MPs from the opposition Pheu Thai Party and executives from the pro-Thaksin D-Station satellite-based television also called on the ex-leader at the same time.

"I don't care if this will be viewed as having any political significance. I believe that Thaksin is facing political persecution, which is not right. So that's why I joined him in the fight," he said.

Khattiya's photos taken during the trip with Thaksin and others have been circulated through mails on the Internet.

He said yesterday he did not think the Army chief was empowered to strip him of his military rank. "Rank stripping is under royal power," he said.

And only a criminal offence would result in him being suspended from duty.

"If I am really suspended from duty, I will regard the decision as personal vengeance. General Anupong has now forgotten his friends and subordinates," he said.

Khattiya also countered a rebuke by Army commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda in response to his warning that many former paramilitary troopers would take part in a rally of the anti-government red shirts being held on Thursday.

Khattiya dismissed reports he would lead the former paramilitary troopers to the rally. He said he was just worried that experienced fighters might clash with conventional soldiers if "someone arms them" during the street demonstration.

"I just want the soldiers to stay in their barracks in order to avoid any clash that could lead to deaths," he said.

Khattiya claimed the Army chief would distribute long overdue welfare money to former paramilitary troopers at the Pak Thong Chai Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima later this week. He said he suspected this had something to do with news they would join the red shirts' rally on Thursday.

"Let's see if the paramilitary troopers change their minds and don't travel to Bangkok," he added.