Chalerm strikes back at Sukampol

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday criticised Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat for his public statement that he disagreed with Chalerm's proposal for curfews in the Deep South, telling the former air chief marshal to ask the prime minister to give him the job if he thinks he can do it better.

"I am the director of the new operations centre dealing with insurgent violence in the Deep South, and what do I do if I am given the post but not allowed to propose ideas to do the job," Charlerm said.

Chalerm's proposal was for curfews at staggered times in different areas each night, but Sukampol immediately shot down the idea in public comments without first discussing it with him.

Chalerm's proposal also involves imposing the Emergency Decree in "red zones" - areas with high insurgent activities - while the less draconian Security Act would be in place in safer areas, or so-called "green zones". The most dangerous zones would have curfews, but at different locations and times each night in a bid to keep insurgents off balance.

A meeting of the new operations centre on February 15 will decide on the curfew proposal, he added.