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January 30, 2008
Who's really in charge?

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, flanked by his wife Khunying Surat, left, and daughter Kandapa, gives a speech at his residence after his appointment was endorsed by His Majesty the King yesterday. PATTANAPONG HIRUNOND

Yesterday was the biggest day in the new prime minister's long political career, so he must be disappointed that today's main Bangkok Post story pushes what he had to say deep into it's second half. It begins instead with a telephone call from army chief Anupong Paojinda to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. That certainly raises questions about who is really in charge of the country. Read the story to find out what the phone call was about. You will also find out why the PPP is being so careful about the choice of the next defence minister.

And be sure to read what Mr Samak did say after receiving His Majesty the King's endorsement to become Thailand's 25th prime minister. As I mentioned yesterday, he may surprise a lot of people - a__uming he can keep his infamous temper under control. He has the political experience and the speaking skills to win the support of large numbers of people.

n charge - in control กุมบังเหียน เป็นผู้สั่งการ
flank - to be at the side of someone or something ด้านข้าง
residence - a place where someone lives ที่พัก
endorsed - officially approved ได้รับการอนุญาต ในที่นี้หมายถึง ได้รับการโปรดเกล้าโปรดกระหม่อมแต่งตั้งให้เป็นนายกรัฐมนตรี
deposed - forced out of a position of power ที่ถูกบีบ ไล่ออกจากตำแหน่ง
infamous - well known for something bad มีชื่อฉาวโฉ่
temper - a tendency to get angry very quickly อารมณ์ฉุนเฉียว

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Army boss 'phones Thaksin'
Source: Fears defence post will go to civilian

WASSANA NANUAM SURASAK GLAHAN

Army chief Anupong Paojinda has contacted ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra out of concern the defence minister's post will be given to a civilian, an army source said yesterday.

The move came after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was widely tipped to take the defence portfolio in addition to being head of government.

Mr Samak did not mention a decision to take the two posts. After receiving His Majesty the King's endorsement as prime minister, he made a plea for time to prove his ability to run the country through ''turbulent times''.

People Power party (PPP) secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee, a broker in the cabinet portfolio negotiations, said a final cabinet line-up list would be submitted to Mr Samak for approval at the party meeting today.

PPP deputy leader Somchai Wongsawat, who is Mr Thaksin's brother-in-law and one of the negotiators with the five coalition partners - Chart Thai, Puea Pandin, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Matchimathipataya and Pracharaj - said the list should be be proposed for royal endorsement this week.

Gen Anupong telephoned Mr Thaksin, who is in Hong Kong, to confirm exactly who would be in charge of the Defence Ministry, said the source, who is a member of Class 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.

Both Gen Anupong and Mr Thaksin were members of Class 10 at the precadet school.

Gen Anupong played a key role in deposing Mr Thaksin from power in the coup on Sept 19, 2006 led by then army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.

The coup-makers have insinuated that they do not want either Mr Samak or PPP deputy leader Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranont to be defence minister, the source said.

But a high-level PPP source confirmed the choice for Mr Samak as the defence minister had already been finalised.

The source said the choice did not mean the pro-Thaksin PPP wanted to control the armed forces.

source - a person who gives information แหล่งข่าว
civilian - someone who does not belong to the armed forces or the police พลเรือน
ousted - deposed; forced out of a position of power ที่ถูกขับไล่ออกจากตำแหน่ง
tipped - said to be getting a job เป็นที่กล่าวกันว่าจะได้รับตำแหน่ง
defence portfolio - defence minister's post, i.e., minister of defence ตำแหน่งรัฐมนตรีกลาโหม
plea - an urgent or emotional request for something การวิงวอน การขอร้อง
turbulent - of a situation where there is a lot of uncontrolled change ความระส่ำระสาย ความปั่นป่วน ผันผวน
broker - someone who arranges an agreement คนกลาง
submitted - formally given to someone for them to make a decision ยื่นเสนอ
brother-in-law - the brother of your husband or wife พี่เขย
coup (d' etat) - the seizure of power in a country by a small group of people, usually members of the armed forces การทำรัฐประหาร
insinuated - said in an indirect way, especially something unpleasant เสียดสี

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