Surayud: Politics, monarchy don’t mix
 The Nation
November 30 , 2005 - Privy Councillor General Surayud Chulanont’s timely comment has sent a clear message to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his most vituperative critic, media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul: do not try to enlist the monarchy on your side.
“Recent references to the monarchy were inappropriate. The institution should not be involved in politics. Political disputes should be solved in a political way,” warned Surayud, one of the men closest to His Majesty the King.
The public is curious to see how the virulent war of words between the two former friends, Thaksin and Sondhi, will play out: whether they will mend fences by cutting a win-win deal or else end up in protracted mud-wrestling and a lose-lose situation.
Surayud is regarded as a professional and eminent soldier, and a royalist. He is a close aide to Privy Council chairman General Prem Tinsulanonda, who had also expressed concern to Surayud about inappropriate references to the monarchy.
In times of a political deadlock, Surayud’s name is floated as an “alternative prime minister” to end the crisis. Almost three months ago, Surayud cancelled his speech about royal powers in a public debate at Thammasat University. Back then the hottest issue was the status of Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka.
Thammasat University Rector Prof Surapon Nitikraipoj, the organiser of the event, explained that Surayud had been asked by a senior respected figure not to address the matter in public just then. There was some concern about possible negative consequences of his speech.
Surayud’s words may be interpreted as a message coming indirectly from the Palace.
His recent comment seems to have been made in allusion to rumours that a coup d’etat may be in the offing against Thaksin. Surayud said he served the King and thus should be seen as politically neutral.
There has been some talk in public about a potential coup.
Supreme Commander General Ruengroj Mahasaranond has issued a warning to Sondhi to stop invoking the monarchy in his disputes with Thaksin, or else face the full wrath of the military.
Yet the ultimate goal of Surayud’s statement is to stop friends-turned-foes Thaksin and Sondhi from invoking what they imply is tacit royal support for their own cause.
Sondhi and Thaksin have both accused the other of engaging in lese majeste. Yet for many observes such a tactic is a cause both for alarm and annoyance because the revered institute of the monarchy is supposed to stay neutral in politics.
Sondhi has stressed repeatedly that he is conducting his anti-government campaign out of loyalty to the monarchy. He has often appeared in public dressed in a yellow jersey emblazoned with the message “We Will Fight for the King.”
Thaksin in turn surprised many political observers last Saturday by calling on people to wear yellow shirts for joining government celebrations on occasion of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the throne, which begins shortly. Thaksin also said he re-garded the King as his commander, both legally and spiritually.
Surayud’s comment should ensure that events at Sondhi’s next rally do not get out of control. Sondhi has urged his supporters to show up in their “five hundred thousands” for his next scheduled mass rally on December 9.
The political ploy of trying to exploit royalist sentiments has a long history, and neither Thaksin nor Sondhi must allow themselves and their supporters to resort to such tactics.
While Thaksin and Sondhi may be seeking ways to “get off the tiger’s back”, Surayud has apparently laid a red carpet for the two former friends.
Jintana Panyaarvudh
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