THAILAND COUP: SONTHI ASKS SURAYUD TO BE INTERIM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 005973

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND COUP: SONTHI ASKS SURAYUD TO BE INTERIM
PRIME MINISTER

Classified By: Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce. Reason 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) I called on retired General and Privy Councilor
Surayud Chulanont at the Privy Council Chambers on September

28. Surayud began by apologizing for telling me on the night
of the coup that he did not know of anything going on that
night. He maintains that when we spoke, he was on his way
home from a palace religious ceremony--attended by Privy
Council head Prem--for the Queen's late mother. After
returning home, he had turned on the TV and saw Thaksin's
attempt to declare emergency rule and fire Army Chief Sonthi.
At that point, Prem called and instructed him to "come to
the palace."


2. (C) Turning to the current state of affairs, Surayud
explained that on the evening of September 27, General Sonthi
Boonyaratklin had come to his residence and asked him to be
the interim Prime Minister. Surayud responded that he didn't
really want the post, but if the King approved it, he
obviously would take the position. I responded to this by
saying that "you and I both know what will happen;" Surayud
will take the job. We shared a laugh over the frustrating
nature of the position: a difficult job for 8-10 months that
angers many people and then you get kicked out.


3. (C) Surayud reiterated the common assertion by many Thai
that the coup was "the only way out." Thai politics were at
"a total stalemate." Surayud hopes that the coup, in
hindsight, will be seen as one step back, but two steps
forward for Thai democracy. I told Surayud that he is the
right person for the job in this difficult situation. As PM,
he will make it possible for the Council for National
Security (CNS, the CDRM's new name under the pending interim
constitution) to step back and permit the interim civilian
government to have more authority and leeway to pave the way
towards the restoration of an elected government. If a
civilian technocrat such as banker Pridyathorn or UNCTAD
Chief Supachai had been selected, that may have sent a better
initial signal to foreign observers, but would not have
inspired the CNS to take a more hands-off role.


4. (C) I added that most people felt that it would be
defensible for the CNS to retain certain, circumscribed
powers, allowing them to guard against a counter-coup or to
improve security in the troubled South. However, several
articles in the draft interim constitution that we have seen
allow the CNS to have final say in the selection of ministers
and drafters for the new constitution. Moreover, the clause
preventing members of the interim parliament and
constitutional commission from running for office in the next
two years had reportedly been dropped. These problematic
elements, frankly, run counter to otherwise positive signs
that GEN Sonthi intends to make good on his pledge to "get
out" of politics. Surayud agreed, adding that he had argued
that the CNS should step back as much as possible. According
to Surayud, Sonthi does not want political power.


5. (C) Turning to the public reaction to Surayud's new role,
I explained that some are likely to criticize the selection
of a former Army Chief as Prime Minister. Others may
criticize the selection of a sitting Privy Councilor as an
indication that the King is calling the shots. Surayud
responded by noting that a retired military officer is a
civilian, adding, "I challenge anyone to look at my military
record and find problems with it."


6. (C) I reviewed the USG response to the coup, including our
strong public criticism. Surayud said he understood
perfectly. I explained that Washington was examining a
suspension of assistance under Section 508. Surayud
acknowledged this, saying it was "just like in 1991."
Surayud explained that the interim constitution is scheduled
for release by Royal Proclamation on September 29, with the
announcement of the new PM next Monday or Tuesday. I noted
that October 3 will be day 14 following the coup, and that it
is important that Sonthi and the CDRM hold to their
self-imposed two week target to appoint a civilian
government. Surayud agreed and believes that they are doing
just that. Finally, Surayud asked that if his new position

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does come to pass, he would welcome an early call on him.

COMMENT
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7. (C) Surayud is a well-respected, non-partisan figure with
a sterling track record as a professional military officer.
After PM Chuan Leekpai selected him to lead the Army in 1998,
Surayud undertook a meaningful series of military reforms
that served to professionalize and de-politicize the
uniformed ranks. During his tenure as Army Chief, Surayud
also managed to push back against Burmese incursions into
Thai territory, while ending Thai efforts to push Karen
refugees over the border. The CDRM has obviously reached out
to Surayud because he is one of the few individuals with the
credentials and prestige to unite the country in this
troubled period. Under the current circumstances, Surayud is
arguably the best person to head the interim civilian
government. He is trusted by the palace and the military,
and enjoys widespread respect across a broad spectrum of Thai
citizens because of his integrity and previous service. His
appointment would be a very positive development for Thailand
internally, as well as for Thai-U.S. relations, and we should
welcome it if and when it is announced.
BOYCE