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Published on September 21, 2007

By the looks of the military line-up, junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has just completed writing a script for soldiers to exit the political arena.

The remaining big unknown is how Sonthi will choose a role to catapult himself into an elected government without using the military as his springboard.

In less than two weeks, Sonthi is set to face his defining moment when power shifts to incoming Army chief General Anupong Paochinda while his junta leadership turns ceremonial.

Speculation has already started that the junta chief may join the interim government in order to boost his clout, as well as building a bridge to join the next coalition.

Without a political stronghold to claim as his own - nor having seasoned experience in running a party - he has no choice but to make himself indispensable in the coalition formation so as to ensure an invitation from the next government.

In rallying behind the Anupong leadership, soldiers have sent a clear signal to cease meddling in politics. The junta is on course for dismantling.

Historians have yet to render judgement on whether Sonthi willingly handpicked Anupong to initiate a march back to the barracks, or whether he faced insurmountable pressure to leave the military out of his political equation.

For five years under the Thaksin Shinawatra government, military assignments were seen as politicised. Soldiers were forced to play partisanship if they wanted career advancement.

Right after the September 19 coup, last year's military reshuffle focused on uprooting cronyism.

This year's line-up saw the military alignment being put back on track. Promotion is once again based on professionalism and peerage evaluation. The list of 463 assignments will take effect on October 1.

In spite of wild rumours, the list was drawn up without any political meddling.

A year ago no one would believe that a low-profile soldier like Colonel Pairoj Khumchaya could rise to become commander of the First Infantry Division, which oversees the security of Bangkok.

Even though Lt General Ninnart Beowkhaimuk, a close aide to the prime minister, was slated for promotion to full general, he received a low-key position as an adviser in the Defence Ministry.

Because of last year's sidelining of senior officers seen as close to the ousted government, the pool of senior officers is quite limited in filling the top positions in the Army.

Lt General Montri Chompuchan, a Sonthi classmate, will become Army chief of staff. Since he is close to retirement, his appointment is seen as a stop-gap measure to groom a younger successor.

Anupong is expected to have a free hand next year to fill many key positions now occupied by generals close to retirement.

His deputy Lt General Weerawit Kusamran and his two assistants, Lt General Jiradet Kotcharat and Lt General Theerawat Boonyapradab, are not in line to succeed him but to help realign the Army at next year's reshuffle.

Come next Sunday, the Army is to welcome a new era. Under the Sonthi leadership, special warfare troops with their red berets have made plenty of impact. With the Anupong leadership, crack infantry troops donning black berets can now expect their turn in the limelight.

With the changing of the guard, it is now time to put the coup behind us and move on to ensure a thriving democracy.

BIOdata

General Anupong Paochinda

Position: Designated Army Commander-in-Chief (assuming office on October 1)

Date of Birth: 10 October, 1949

Education: Pre-Cadet Class 10, Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy Class 21

Key Appointments: Attached to the Queen's Guards of the 21st Infantry Regiment

Commander of 2nd Infantry Division

Commander of 1st Infantry Division

Deputy Commander of 1st Army

Commander of 1st Army

Assistant Army commander-in-chief

Avudh Panananda

The Nation