"Don't ask me a leading question about Sonthi as the military is in the process of drawing up the list for annual rotations," Thaksin said on Friday.

Speculation on the fate of Sonthi has spreaded after the Defence Ministry early this week instructed the armed forces to start preparing for reassignments.

Rumours in the military corridors have it that Thaksin may  push for the promotion of Sonthi's assistant General Pornchai Kranlert to take the Army's helm.

Pornchai is a precadet classmate who is seen as a staunch ally of Thaksin.

Even though Sonthi secured his present position at Thaksin's blessing last year, he reportedly fell out of favour in March after refusing to rally behind the government should it deem neceesary to declare the state of emergency against street protests.

If and when Thaksin decides to pick a new Army commander, Sonthi is likely to assume the ceremonial position of supreme commander, replacing General Ruengroj Masaranont who is scheduled for mandatory retirement.

Outgoing Senator Seri Suwanpanont said Thaksin is about to politicise the military reshuffle if he has his way to promote Pornchai and other allies from the PreCadet Class 10.

"The armed forces will be demoralised and split if Thaksin opts for favouritism bypassing seniority and professional qualifications," he said.

Seri's colleague, Chirmsak Pinthong, called on members of the public to monitor and expose if Thaksin was trying to rig the military reshuffle list.|

The Nation