"General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin will not run in the forthcoming general election after he retires as army commander-in-chief at the end of this month, an army source close to him said yesterday. However, Gen Sonthi, who will remain chairman of the Council for National Security after his retirement, will keep himself available for a cabinet post in the new government, the source added.
The source said Gen Sonthi had dropped plans to set up a political party or become a political party leader, preferring to watch political developments from the sidelines at least for the time being.
However, Gen Sonthi will be ready to join the new government as a deputy prime minister or defence minister upon request, the source said.
The general will try to prove himself in the political arena before contesting future elections to vie for the prime ministership. "Gen Sonthi is trying to take measured steps on the political path," the source said."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/12Sep2007_news01.php
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General Sonthi will not enter politics
Started by Sexpat, Sep 12 2007 01:13 PM
3 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 13 September 2007 - 09:19 AM
QUOTE
However, Gen Sonthi, who will remain chairman of the Council for National Security after his retirement, will keep himself available for a cabinet post in the new government, the source added.
Can you imagine an elected Prime Minister inviting the coup maker to join the cabinet !! Like the spider and the fly - if you ask me.
#3
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Posted 14 September 2007 - 05:41 AM
One of the first decisions of General Sonthi that I actually agree with.
If I was the next Prime Minister, I'd nevertheless want this guy around - just so I could keep an eye on him.
If I was the next Prime Minister, I'd nevertheless want this guy around - just so I could keep an eye on him.
#4
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Posted 14 September 2007 - 10:52 AM
I think it's far too early to be concluding that General Sonthi will not be entering politics in the next elections. As far as I have read, the rumors of his decision not to go political originated in an anonymous source and the general himself has not said unequivocably that he won't run, leaving the door open "in cace the nation needs me" - whatever that means.
Remember also, this is the same General Sonthi who told Thailand and the world less than six months before he led the coup to depose the elected government that there would be no coup.
It's quite possible that the coup's sponsors may have circulated that rumor that Sonthi's not running to escape the political heat for the moment. It's also likely, based on their performance to date, that the coup's sponsors don't really know at this point what they intend to do with the good general, if and when free elections appear likely to have unhappy results for their agenda.
Remember also, this is the same General Sonthi who told Thailand and the world less than six months before he led the coup to depose the elected government that there would be no coup.
It's quite possible that the coup's sponsors may have circulated that rumor that Sonthi's not running to escape the political heat for the moment. It's also likely, based on their performance to date, that the coup's sponsors don't really know at this point what they intend to do with the good general, if and when free elections appear likely to have unhappy results for their agenda.
