Is there a hidden message behind the Army's unusual show of force against 'rogue' officer Khattiya?
However, unprecedented gatherings at Prachin Buri military camps coupled with other shows of support for Army chief Anupong Paochinda may be an indirect warning to supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as Thailand edges toward "judgement day".
The manoeuvring was too big to be targeted only at Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, whose already-sour relations with Anupong reached a new low last week when he became a prime suspect in an obscure "grenade attack" on Army headquarters in the wee hours of January 15. The show of force seemed to serve as an ominous warning to any group plotting turmoil during this crucial period of Thai politics, observers said.
Officers from both the Second Infantry Division and the Second Infantry Regiment gathered at their Promyothee and Jakkapong camps, respectively, in Prachin Buri province to declare allegiance to their superiors, commit themselves to discipline and denounce disobedience and lack of respect for Army leaders.
Banners adorning one of the gatherings said soldiers lacking discipline or respect for their superiors did not belong to the Army.
"The Army's reputation has been damaged by the very bad example of certain soldiers who disrespect the cherished tradition and may threaten unity of the institution," said Maj-General Varis Rojpakdi, head of the Second Infantry Division.
"We'd like to give moral support to the Army commander-in-chief and other superiors at all levels in their commitment to protect our Kingdom's key institutions."
A similar gathering by about 600 officers took place at the 12th Infantry Regiment headquarters in Sa Kaew province.
"We gathered today to take a stand that professional soldiers must have discipline, because otherwise they'd be no different from bandits," said Colonel Thammanoon Vithi, deputy commander of the 12 Infantry Regiment.
Meanwhile, at the 11th Infantry Regiment, plans are under way to bring battalion commanders to the greater Bangkok area to declare allegiance to the Army and denounce Khattiya.
"Of course, we can be democratic in the military, but you should not insult your superiors like that," said Major Apirat Kongsompong, head of the 11th Infantry Regiment.
"Brother Daeng [Khattiya's nickname] should stop exploiting his uniform. He should take it off, wear a suit and tie and formally enter politics."
In arguably the most conspicuous development of the day, Anupong and Khattiya both appeared at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School for a sacred reunion ceremony that brought many top brass together.
Nothing happened, but the tension was palpable as Anupong and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan shot Khattiya a stern glance while walking past a main hall to a reception room.
Khattiya gave a short, characteristically belligerent interview deploring his suspension before being escorted away from reporters.
At Fourth Cavalry Battalion headquarters in Bangkok's Kiakkai sub-district, restrictions became tougher for Khattiya, who now cannot access his living quarters without being thoroughly searched and guards notifying senior officers of his arrival. Other areas in the headquarters were off-limits to him.
Police raided Khattiya's residence and the living quarters of his aide last Thursday. The raids followed the grenade attack the previous Friday morning targeting the office of Army Chief Anupong at the Army Headquarters on Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue. The alleged attack followed several shows of hostility by Khattiya towards Anupong.
The strained relations are a result of Khattiya's open support for Thaksin and his recent meetings with the fugitive ex-prime minister.
The Thaksin connection contributed to speculation that the Army's show of force yesterday was aimed at not only Khattiya, but also the ousted Thai leader, who is bracing himself for a potentially explosive Supreme Court verdict on February 26.
At stake is Thaksin's frozen Bt76 billion that could be permanently seized by the state if the court rules it to be ill-gotten gains.
"The Army gatherings were unprecedented and not likely to have been aimed at only one man," said one military analyst.
"Of course, the manoeuvrings confirm Khattiya is now an outcast, but in the big picture this looks like a message that the Army is united and ready to deal with any plan to create trouble."
