The abrupt resignation of Borwornsak Uwanno as secretary-general of the Cabinet has created intense speculation. As a constitutional scholar and a sharp astrologer, did he foresee any bad omens on the horizon that caused him to leave a sinking ship?

Or was he the victim of a row over a royal decree for the next poll? He has played such claims down (see story below).

If Borwornsak had been planning to resign, one would think he would have told Wissanu Krea-ngam. The pair are distantly related and it was Wissanu who helped Borwornsak to succeed him as secretary-general of the Cabinet more than three years ago, after Wissanu moved on to become deputy PM.

But Wissanu only learned of Borwornsak's resignation during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. It was Thaksin who broke the news to the surprised ministers. Borwornsak had not wanted to make the announcement himself. He intends to enter the monkhood after June 10, to show his reverence to His Majesty the King.

Likhit Dhiravegin, a former Thai Rak Thai member and now head of the Palang Phaendin Thai Party, said Borwornsak could have opted out because of intense political strains. He said Borwornsak had come under pressure to issue a royal decree in support of the next general election, which the Election Commission (EC) says will be held on October 15. As secretary-general of the Cabinet, Borwornsak was responsible for drafting the decree.

Likhit said if the royal decree were endorsed it would give the Election Commissioners a longer lease of life since the election law provides "protection" to the EC once a ballot has been called.

Thai politics is deadlocked at present. Removing the current EC is a pre-condition for a more orderly poll. The Election Commissioners have been hit with dozens of lawsuits over their mishandling of the April 2 ballot and by-elections, which were subsequently nullified by the Constitution Court. The country's top judges have called on them to stand down, but the commissioners have defied the pressure - and the Supreme Court judges' refusal to appoint new commissioners until the current trio go. With this stand-off, it is difficult for Thai politics to move forward.

The King has urged the judiciary to help bring an end to the political crisis. But the EC and Thai Rak Thai-led caretaker government appear aligned on one side, with the courts on the other.

An article in Matichon newspaper reported that respected people, who oppose the EC's decision on the election date, had called on Borwornsak not to introduce the royal decree for a new poll. But politicians in the Thai Rak Thai camp wanted him to speed up his work to introduce the decree to Cabinet in support of an October 15 poll. Borwornsak was caught in a power struggle, and found it very stressful.

Eventually, the decree was finished and put to Cabinet on May 23. This course of action was widely seen as a challenge to the courts, which would like to see a new EC before a poll date is set.

Matichon said Borwornsak had confided to one friend, Tongthong Chandrangsu, a deputy permanent secretary in the Justice Ministry, about his intention to resign two or three months ago.

Other reports suggest his job had been far from smooth over the introduction of controversial laws such as the Emergency Decree issued to try to stem civil strife in the South. There have been serious fears that this decree could be exercised for political gain in Bangkok, if need be.

Entering the monkhood is a perfect way to escape the political pressure in Thailand. Dr Premsak Piayura created a political crisis by resigning as a member of Thai Rak Thai's party-list ahead of the April 2 poll. His withdrawal made it impossible for Parliament to open, as it would not have all 500 standing MPs. Premsak immediately went into the monkhood.

Now, Borwornsak is seeking the yellow robe to shield him from the political pressure. This says a lot about Thai politics. When an insider like Borwornsak resigns, it implies worse is yet to come.

Political Desk

The Nation