Caretaker Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura yesterday read the riot act to a subordinate who criticised him for condoning political interference in dispensing military assignments.

"A soldier convicted of maliciously offending the commanding officer is to be punished by a jail term of up to three years," he said, responding to critical remarks by Admiral Bannawit Kengrien, deputy permanent secretary for Defence.

For two days in a row, Bannawit made a series of public accusations, saying Thamarak had succumbed to political pressure when drawing up the military rotations.

He also raised the legal question of whether the military line-up could be submitted for royal approval without vetting by the Election Commission during the lead-up to a new election.

In his defence, Thamarak said Bannawit should have checked his facts before attacking him.

"If Bannawit has any contacts among the military leaders, he would have known that I did not have any say on whether to reward him with a promotion," he said.

Thamarak said he went along with the recommendations from respective commanders of the three armed forces, hinting

that Bannawit's behaviour was

a case of sour grapes after failing to secure the position of permanent secretary for Defence.

He said Bannawit should be aware of possible legal consequences for breaking ranks.

As a reminder, he chose to cite the original version of the 1933 military criminal code, which, viewed by today's language usage, is filled with derogatory terms against "offenders".

The Bannawit-Thamarak verbal war is the latest episode in the struggle between military officers rallying behind the government and those seen as critical of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The military infighting has intensified since July after Thaksin held a private meeting with Pre-Cadet Class 10 officers. Many professional soldiers viewed the meeting as an attempt to involve the military in helping him cling to power.

The top brass has been "horse-trading" for the past two months until Thamarak chaired a final meeting last Wednesday to conclude the list of military rotations.

At the 11th hour, Thaksin summoned Supreme Commander General Ruengroj Mahasaranont and Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin for separate meetings at Baan Phitsanulok.

After, Thamarak paraded his key commanders to confirm the proposed line-up and insisted it was drawn up without political interference.

Although the proposed military assignments were technically completed, Thaksin has yet to seek royal approval on them.

And the list may remain in limbo until September 22, when he returns from his trip abroad.

Coinciding with Thaksin's absence, Bannawit threw caution to the wind and brought the debate on political meddling in military affairs out into the open.

He rallied behind General Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, and attacked the government for spreading cronyism to the armed forces. He said: "Thamarak is a turncoat who has abandoned his military professionalism to serve his political master Thaksin."

He said the political meddling had been allowed to happen in spite of warnings from Defence Ministry's inspector general Montri Supaporn.

His reference to Montri was a curious twist, observers said. Bannawit, Thamarak and Montri were once seen as close to former PM and military leader Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. All three had enjoyed career advancement under Chavalit's blessing and only fell out after Chavalit parted ways with Thaksin.

Bannawit's criticism of the military reshuffle happened as police revealed the alleged car-bomb conspiracy to kill Thaksin.

Investigators have reportedly yet to uncover evidence to substantiate the plot. But bombing suspect Sergeant Major Chakrit Jantana has claimed the masterminds are retired officers from Chulachomklao Class 7 - and their allies who are still in military service.

The retired officers remain close to Chavalit. If his "allies" see their careers plummet as a consequence of the alleged attempt on Thaksin's life, Pre-Cadet Class 10 officers would benefit - by consolidating their power.

Many see the noise generated by the military reshuffle and the alleged assassination plot as a proxy war to wrest control of the military.

A political source said that on August 3, Thaksin signed an order for Pol Gen Chidchai Vanasatidya, the deputy prime minister, to take charge of the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc).

This order was well before the car-bomb drama on August 24, after which operatives within Isoc were accused of plotting to kill the PM. Gen Pallop Pinmanee, the deputy director of Isoc, was removed from his post hours after police arrested Lt Thawatchai Kinchana, an Isoc staff member in a car allegedly loaded with explosive devices.