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[Dick]

"Army commander Gen Anupong Paochinda has signed an order to put his men in charge of key battalions in a move to further strengthen his grip on the army. Most of the transfers involve army officers in the northern provinces and some northeastern areas and the latest reshuffle affects 84 lieutenant colonels and colonels.

Army sources linked it to growing concern in the army over the popularity of the People Power party (PPP) ahead of the Dec 23 elections. The two regions are the political bastions of the PPP backed by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The Northeast and North also had the most votes against the draft constitution in the Aug 19 referendum.

Their rejection of the draft charter was interpreted as a message against the coup makers from Mr Thaksin.
Mr Thaksin's popularity was underlined by a secret Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) poll showing the PPP was leading the election race.

The latest major transfer of army officers was approved by Gen Anupong on Wednesday and immediately came into force. It was the second such order in less than two months since Gen Anupong came to power. On Oct 3 he transferred 215 senior officers and put those loyal to him in charge of unit commanders. . .

Army sources interpreted the move as one of deep concern by the army chief over his leadership. He wanted to make sure he has full control of units with questionable loyalty, they said. The changes also relieved officers loyal to deputy permanent secretary for defence Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr of key duties in the Third Army, which is responsible for the northern region.

Some colonels whose loyalty to Gen Anupong was in doubt were also moved to less important posts, according to sources."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/16Nov2007_news01.php