New Interior chief seen as the shy sort

Published on August 03, 2005 - A man who is known as a modest and publicity-shy military officer, Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wantana is being catapulted into the limelight as Thailand’s new interior minister.

While many air force officers may aspire to be a top-gun flyer, Kongsak has pursued a quiet military career by taking back-room assignments on staff duties, training and air logistics.

His life took a new turn in 2002 when Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra handpicked him as commander-in-chief of the Air Force. In this position, he gravitated closer to Thaksin and his wife, Khunying Pojaman.

His opportunities seemed to soar after he stepped out of widowhood to marry his second wife, Salilla-wan, last year. The courtship and marriage took place with Pojaman’s blessing, as Salillawan is her confidante and private secretary.

Born on July 30, 1945, Kongsak graduated from the Royal Thai Air Force Academy in 1968.

Seen as close to the prime minister and the ruling Thai Rak Thai party, his name was circulated as a potential minister toward the end of the first Thaksin government.

Following the general election in February, he was tipped to join Thaksin’s second term, but the appointment failed to materialise.

As Thaksin began the procedure of shuffling his Cabinet following the censure debate, Kongsak was the only military commander among the well-wishers at Thai Rak Thai’s anniversary on July 14.

On Monday he resigned from the military to join the government.

Poised to succeed Chidchai Vanasatidya as interior minister, he is expected to introduce a contrasting work style.

Chidchai was a high-profile leader who made a promising start in tackling the southern violence. Kongsak is expected to project an opposite image, as a man preferring to work quietly in the background.

Having had experience in logistics and planning, Kongsak comes from the same career background as General Sirichai Thanyasiri, a former chief of the Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command.

Thaksin praised Sirichai for his expertise in tactical planning, then abruptly removed him from the job.

It remains to be seen if Kong-sak will win Thaksin’s approval in his attempts to combat the violence.