Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Sun, 27 Sep 1992 14:45:57 EDT
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Defence post impasse still unresolved

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 92 16:47:44+0700
From: yongyuth@munnari.oz.au (Yongyuth Pahirah)

Nation Sunday Sept 27 edition.

The defence portfolios once again became a bone of contention between the
Democrat Party and their major partners when they haggled over who they should
choose as the new defence minister last night.

  Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said he expected an agreement on a suitable
  ``neutral choice'' for the post before he presents the list of the new
  Cabinet members with His Majesty the King for royal endorsement.

  ``I think it I don't have to hold the defence office [as the last resort],''
  Chuan said after chairing a meeting of Democrat executives who resolved that
  the new defence minister would be a ``neutral outsider'', and not party
  secretary general Maj Gen Sanan Kachornprasart,

  Chuan is expected to fly to the South for an audience with His Majesty no
  later than Tuesday, deputy party leader Banyat Banthadthan said.

  The Democrats reportedly nominated Gen Arun Pariwattitham, a retiring
  cavalry who has cozy relations with party secretary general Maj Gen Sanan
  Kachornprasart. But the two partners insisted that Prime Minister Chuan
  Leekpai nominated outgoing Permanent Secretary for Defence Gen Wanchai
  Ruangtrakool.

  While Sanan backed Arun, a graduate from Chullachomklao Military Academy
  Class Three who worked on the Doi Tung development project patronaged by HRH
  Her Royal Mother, the southern faction in the Democrat Party wanted
  ASsistant Army Commander in Chief Gen Yutthana Yaemphan, a Class Four
  officer and a former Fourth Army Region commander, to take up the top
  defence post.

  Palang Dharma and NAP sources said that Arun was no neutral choice for the
  defence portfolios. Arun nearly quit the military establishment to run in
  the latest election under the banner of the Democrat Party.

  Speaking after a meeting of Democrat executives yesterday afternoon, Banyat
  Banthadthan said that the party resolved that the defence minsiter would be
  a neutral outsider after Sanan withdrew his candidacy for the crucial post.

  ``We have informed our decision to our partners,'' he said.

  The party executive commmittee also assigned Chuan and Sanan to pick and
  approach its nominee for consideration by their partners, he said.

  Banyat said that the list of all 18 Democrat nominees to the Cabinet slots
  under the party's quota was also worked out yesterday.

  There will be two deputy prime ministers, four ministers and 12 other PM's
  Office ministers and deputy ministers, he said.

  Party sources said that apart from Banyat, who will be appointed first
  deputy prime minister, Chuan would also name Thai Military Bank President Dr
  Supachai Panitchpakdi as deputy prime minister in charge of economic
  affairs.

  Siam Commercial Bank President Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda will also take over as
  finance minister.

  Sanan agreed to swap the agricultural post for industry portfolios with
  Niphon Promphan.

  TRairong Suwankhiri will serve as Tharrin's deputy at the Finance Ministry
  while Suthep Thuaksubanh will become deputy agriculture minister. Pornthep
  Techapaibul, meanwhile, was nominated deputy industry minister.

  Dr Savit Bhotiwihok, a former senior National Economic and Social
  Development Board official who won a House seat for Bangkok, and Tak MP
  Therdpong Jayanama will be made PM's Office ministers.

  The other nominees are: Samphan Thongsamak as education minister, Suthas
Ngernmuen as deputy interior minister, Sawai Pattano as deputy communications
minister, Surin Pitsuwan as deputy foreign minister, Anek Thabsuwan as deputy
public health minister, Pricha Musikkul as deputy science, technology and
energy minister, and Julin Laksanawisit as deputy commerce minister.

  Party sources said that Chuan persuaded Sanan during a phone conversation
  Friday night to become his deputy prime minister.

  But Sanan turned down the offer, saying he wanted to work at a ministry.

  Niphon called Sanan yesterday morning, offering his industry portfolios as
  another option for the secretary general, who was initially tipped to become
  agriculture minister.

  Niphon told the secretary general he was ready to be either industry or
  agriculture minister.

  Sanan told reporters that he had declined the defence post because there was
  a better qualified candidate.

  He denied that his plan to become defence minister came under opposition
  from the military and party's supporters.

  ``That's not true. There is no opposition and the commanders in chief of the
  ARmed Forces have also said they would accept me,'' he said.

  Sanan said that the neutral nominee proposed by the Democrat Party had
  already agreed to accept the important office.

  NAP deputy leader Gen Siri Thiwaphan, meanwhile, told reporters that party
  leader Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and secretary general Phisarn
  Moolsartsathorn were reviewing the list of the party's 11 nominees to 12
  Cabinet posts.

  Party sources said that Chavalit was expected to finalize the list and
  submit it to Chuan today.
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