Chavalit to defend Jakrapob

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair has turned to former premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh for help in clearing what was said to be a political smear campaign involving the embattled minister's speech before the last election.

Jakrapob met Chavalit in Nakhon Phanom yesterday to discuss the issue. He quoted Chavalit as saying that he would help explain the issue to the public so as to avoid further confusion.

"There's been a movement aimed at bringing about political turmoil and deeper conflicts within society," Jakrapob said.

Opposition MPs and other critics have put pressure on Jakrapob, a close ally of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, over his speech given to the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand last year.

Part of that speech, given in the wake of a national referendum endorsing the post-coup 2007 charter, was alleged to be lese majeste.

Jakrapob said yesterday that he would make a Thai translation of the English speech given at the FCCT available to the public by Thursday. He hoped the translation would clarify things and prove his innocence.

Recently, Chavalit returned to the media spotlight by publicly suggesting a movement is under way that poses threats to the monarchy, capitalism and the military.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, who is Jakrapob's colleague in the ruling People Power Party, yesterday called for an opportunity for Jakrapob to defend himself against the allegations.

He said the government would not intervene in the matter and would ensure justice.

However, the chiefs of the armed forces expressed concern that the monarchy, a highly respected national institution, had been dragged into the ongoing political conflict.

Royal Thai Navy commander-in-chief Admiral Sathirapan Keyanond said it was extremely improper to cite the royal institution in political rifts.

He also advised the media to boycott people who have resorted to this tactic in a bid to overcome their political foes.

Royal Thai Air Force commander-in-chief ACM Chalit Phukpasuk said he was worried about attempts to engage the monarchy in political conflicts.

"We soldiers don't want the top institution to be tainted," he said.