Prem may step in as a mediator

Concerned by the country's deteriorating economy and the political crisis, Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda is pondering whether he should involve himself in resolving the months-long political standoff, a source close to him said yesterday.

Gen Prem was weighing on whether he should take on the role of a mediator by inviting Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and key leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) such as Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul for separate talks, the source said.

The meetings, if held, would be aimed at convincing them to put their differences aside for the sake of the country, the source added.

While presiding over a ceremony to promote public unity and the desire to end the southern violence, he said he was saddened by the violent clashes between the PAD supporters and police on Tuesday.

Two people were killed and 478 injured in the clashes as the anti-government movement tried to block the government from announcing its policy in parliament.

The source said the privy council president has been consulting privy councillors and military leaders close to him since Tuesday for a solution to the ongoing crisis.

Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda on Friday urged the government to take responsibility for what has happened.

Mr Somchai, who is also defence minister, said yesterday that he was not in conflict with the army commander and said he was sincere in his efforts by setting up two panels to look into the ruthless police action and compensate the victims of Tuesday's clashes.

source bangkok post

Gen Panlop won't return to PAD

The former deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), Gen Panlop Pinmanee, insisted he will not rejoin forces with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Gen Panlop said one of the PAD leaders, Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, asked him to rejoin the anti-government group. However, Gen Panlop said he decided to decline his offer because the PAD’s civil disobedience strategy would not likely be successful, adding that it would create more losses than the forceful strategy he earlier proposed.

If the PAD can seize the government’s power on October 7 by getting hold of Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat, the situation would not intensify, according to Gen Panlop.

The ISOC former chief said the situation is unpredictable because the government has the authority but could not put the situation under control, and at the same time, the PAD is in control of the circumstances even though it has no legitimate power.

source bangkok post