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PP RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHCHI #0120/01 2080906
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 270906Z JUL 06
FM AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0239
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 0512
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 0273
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CHIANG MAI 000120 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  7/27/2016 
TAGS: PGOV TH
SUBJECT: THIRD ARMY COMMANDER CHALLENGES THAKSIN'S NORTHERN POWER 
BASE 
 
REF: CHIANG MAI 216 (05)  (NORTHERN ASSIGNMENTS SHOW STRONG HAND OF THAKSIN) 
 
CHIANG MAI 00000120  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Bea Camp, Consul General, Consulate Chiang Mai, 
State. 
REASON: 1.4 (d) 
 
¶1.  (SBU)   Summary:  The highest ranking military figure in 
northern Thailand, 3rd Army Commander Lt. Gen. Saprang 
Kalanamit, has been making headlines and winning bouquets with a 
series of speeches and appearances that stake out a 
confrontational political position in opposition to caretaker 
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.  End summary 
 
¶2.  (C)  Saprang, who gained his appointment last October 
despite Thaksin's effort to install one of his Pre-Cadet School 
classmates in the job (reftel), made his first public move 
against Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party in early July 
by instructing army radio stations in the 17 northern provinces 
under 3rd Army jurisdiction to broadcast politically oriented 
messages.  These messages included quotes from Saprang's earlier 
speeches expressing concern for the country's situation and his 
expectation for an accountable and credible government.  The 
stations also broadcast announcements affirming the 3rd Army as 
"soldiers of the King who are prepared to stand by the people". 
This line, "We are soldiers of the King" has become the 
catch-phrase of the whole affair, repeated in a sign posted in 
front of a military camp north of Chiang Mai and used as a 
headline by the International Herald Tribune's "Thai Day" 
section on July 22. 
 
¶3. (SBU)  Similar speeches, announcements, press releases, and 
comments that have emanated from the feisty 3rd Army commander 
this month included announcements by mobile public relations 
units under the Phetchabun-based 1st Cavalry Division, a July 6 
speech at Rajabhat Phitsanulok University, a July 12 meeting 
with Phitsanulok residents and a Senator-elect, a July 13 
message to a TRT MP advising against organizing any 
pro-TRT/Thaksin civic actions that would lead to political 
polarization, a July 18 meeting with the President of Naresuan 
University, and July 25 remarks to supporters. 
 
YOU CAN'T TELL THE GOOD GUYS BY THEIR SHIRTS 
--------------------------------------------- -------------------- 
¶4. (U)  As reported widely in Thai media, Saprang's tough 
talking remarks have emphasized his own stance as a 
"professional soldier", affirmed his political neutrality and 
warned against falling victim to political agitation and 
mobilization by certain political elements.   To the President, 
and by extension the students, of Naresuan University, Saprang 
noted his "commitment to serve the nation in general rather than 
any particular individual", stated that "those wearing yellow 
shirts nowadays include both good and bad guys" and criticized 
Thai politics as "under-standard and our democracy fake, without 
any political leadership." 
 
¶5. (C)  In his most direct statement, Saprang lashed out 
publicly on July 20 against a "bad guy" military officer widely 
known to be his 3rd Army deputy, Major Gen. Manat Pao-rik. 
Manat, a classmate of Thaksin's in the Pre-Military Cadet School 
Class 10, was widely expected to be promoted to 3rd Army 
Commander last October, over the more senior Saprang.    In a 
July 20 press release, Saprang complained that this "bad guy" 
has used political connections for his own career benefit at the 
expense of national interests.  Saprang and Manat have been at 
odds for some time but the final straw was Manat's comment in 
Thai Post newspaper July 19 criticizing Privy Council chairman 
Gen Prem Tinsulanond and Saprang.  Manat claimed that Saprang 
was creating a division in the country and implied that Saprang 
was planning a coup. 
 
TIT FOR TAT TACTICS 
--------------------------- 
¶6.  (C )  On July 18, Saprang assigned several 3rd army officers 
from Phitsanulok to northern provinces, especially Thaksin's 
home province of Chiang Mai, to discourage local TRT operatives 
from promoting shows of support for Thaksin.   Anti-Thaksin 
political commentators noted gleefully that Saprang was turning 
on TRT the same tactics that party used in the 2001 and 2005 
elections to dampen rival political organizing, e.g. roadside 
checks of vehicles carrying opposition canvassers.   In this 
case, Saprang's action is expected to weaken any TRT efforts to 
flex its muscle with the local population. 
 
¶7. (C)  Military observers reported that Saprang's moves were 
intended to stymie pro-Thaksin forces in any coup effort and 
were coordinated with those in the northeastern 2nd Army Area 
and the July 19 reshuffle at the Battalion level in the 1st Army 
Area.  With the North as well as the Northeast a major base for 
Thai Rak Thai in the previous two elections, Saprang's recent 
speeches and other activity are aimed at undermining that 
support on both the military and civilian front. 
 
CHIANG MAI 00000120  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
COMMENT 
-------------- 
¶8.  (C)  Saprang, who never fails to refer to himself as an 
honest patriot when voicing his opinion to the Consulate on 
matters ranging from his son's visa to his desire for a tougher 
Thai approach to Burma, has struck a receptive chord with many 
senior officers who believe they were ill-treated by Thaksin 
advancing his classmates from the Armed Forces Preparatory 
Academy Class 10.   Saprang's associates said that the general 
had spoken out before but that his intensity increased enough to 
reach the public eye after Thaksin's remark about a "charismatic 
individual", widely believed to be directed at General Prem. 
 
¶9. (C)  Media as well as military reaction to Saprang's outburst 
has been positive, with supportive messages and flowers flowing 
to 3rd Army headquarters in Phitsanulok and media accounts 
portraying Saprang as a hero.  Some otherwise anti-Thaksin 
individuals remain uneasy, however; although no one has spoken 
out publicly on the issue, one human rights advocate told the 
Consul General that he is uncomfortable with the military taking 
on a political role.   In any case, Saprang has chosen his 
timing well.  With General Sonthi as incumbent army chief and 
Thaksin's power over the military now reduced, Saprang is 
unlikely, at least in the short term, to be disciplined for 
speaking out. 
CAMP