This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 001091 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TH TRT
SUBJECT: CHALLENGE TO THAKSIN -- ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE 
 
REF: BANGKOK 1034 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce, reason 1.4 (b) (d) 
 
¶1.  (C) SUMMARY :  Thaksin is in serious trouble.  The forces 
against him are mounting, and he is showing signs of strain. 
Every day brings more bad news:  yesterday, former military 
dictator Suchinda advised Thaksin to dissolve Parliament. 
Cabinet ministers are openly showing concern.  MPs from the 
PM's own party are beginning to call for his resignation and 
pundits are considering his possible successors.  Opposition 
politicians are concerned that Thaksin may resort to the 
arrest of his opponents, and that extremists in the 
opposition may launch violent provocations at Sunday's 
protest rally.  We are not predicting that either of those 
things will happen, but these fears show the high level of 
political agitation here. Thaksin does not appear to have a 
strategy to counter the opposition, other than trying to buy 
time with the call for a special joint session of parliament 
starting March 6, and buy loyalty with more money for local 
officials salaries and students.  We believe that unless he 
comes up with a more effective strategy quickly, the most 
likely outcomes are the dissolution of Parliament, or even 
his resignation.  This could happen soon, or it could take 
weeks to play out. The fact that we are even speculating on 
these outcomes indicates how fast this situation is moving. 
End Summary. 
 
I CAN DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C)  The Ambassador spoke briefly to a visibly 
beleaguered Thaksin at the state banquet for the King and 
Queen of Spain on February 22.  Asked about the prospects for 
a dissolution of Parliament, Thaksin replied in an agitated 
fashion, "I can dissolve Parliament; I'm ready to do that." 
Other ministers are candidly expressing their concern. 
Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop told the Ambassador 
that everyone was worried about Sunday.  Another Deputy PM, 
Visanu Kreuangam, privately told the Ambassador that Sunday 
is important, but whether the crowds stay on after Sunday and 
don't disperse is even more so.  Members of the PM's ruling 
Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party are inching toward the door;  a few 
have publicly called for Thaksin to step down, and others are 
speaking 'off the record' to the press. 
 
¶3.  (C)  Every day brings more bad news for the Prime 
Minister.  Today's story: Former military ruler General 
Suchinda, ousted in the democracy demonstrations of 1992, 
told the press that Thaksin should dissolve Parliament. 
Suchinda resisted calls for his own resignation until he was 
forced to step down following a bloody military crackdown on 
demonstrators and the King's intervention.  He said that the 
current government should learn from his experience. 
 
DRINKS FOR ALL MY FRIENDS 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C)  Thaksin's maneuvers to regain his footing seem 
woefully inadequate.  TRT announced pro-government rallies on 
March 3 in Bangkok and around the country.  He called for a 
special joint session of Parliament to discuss issues of 
concern to society, including "corruption" and "free trade 
agreements."  Officials have been coy about whether the 
specifics of the controversial Shin Corp deal would even be 
fair game for discussion.  The Feb. 21 Cabinet meeting 
announced a generous assortment of hand-outs:  salary 
increases for local officials at the village and district 
level, the allocation of 200 million Baht to fund summer 
employment for students, and a new Educational Loan Fund for 
university students. 
 
¶5.  (C) And for those he can't buy off?  A prominent 
opposition senator warned us today that Thaksin was 
considering issuing an emergency order calling for the arrest 
of opposition leaders.  (Comment:  We don't believe that 
Thaksin is actually foolish enough to try this in the end, 
even if he may be tempted by the option.  Further, we don't 
believe that the security forces would carry out such an 
order if it were given.  The mere fact that such a story is 
circulating and is given credence by experienced political 
figures, however, shows how heated the political environment 
is getting.  End Comment.)  The senator also raised concerns 
about the extreme elements in the anti-Thaksin opposition, 
and worried that they might resort to violence in an effort 
to provoke the government into a violent response which would 
galvanize public opposition to the PM. 
 
LIMITED OPTIONS 
--------------- 
 
¶6.  (C)  One of the most striking developments is the sudden 
shift in political discourse. "Everyone" is talking about two 
options:  should Thaksin resign or should he dissolve 
Parliament?  Pundits are already handicapping his likely 
replacement as PM.   Almost overnight, the option of Thaksin 
riding it out and serving out his term seems to have 
disappeared from discussion.  Of course, most of Thailand's 
citizens don't join in this conversation, which is dominated 
by the Bangkok elite.  It's not yet clear how strongly the 
masses may feel about supporting the PM.  A big turnout by 
Thaksin supporters -- one that arises from genuine support, 
and not TRT-funded rent-a-crowds --  could boost the PM and 
inspire greater unity and fighting spirit in the TRT. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶7.  (C)  Almost anything could happen now.  Thaksin is no 
dope, and he is surely working to shore up his own support, 
including in ways that we cannot see.   In any case, Thaksin 
has been too slow to recognize that he faces a serious 
challenge. Hubris is just part of his nature, and may turn 
out to be his tragic flaw.  It is our best assessment that 
the rally on Sunday will be peaceful. The opposition does not 
need to resort to provocations -- things are going pretty 
well for them right now without that. The police appear 
committed to continue to behave correctly, as they have 
during the past rallies.  They do not want to be stuck 
holding the bag for Thaksin if there is violence.  If the 
Prime Minister does not have a better plan, we believe that 
the dissolution of Parliament or his forced resignation are 
the most likely outcomes -- this could happen tomorrow, or it 
could take weeks to play out. 
 
BOYCE