Sanan may be weary, but he isn't leaving

Sanan and Banharn

Now that Sanan, or Se Nan as he is affectionately known, is 75, it's not surprising to hear him say he wants to call it quits. In fact, some of his close aides have quoted him as saying he no longer wants to be deputy PM.

He voiced this need to step out of politics when he was included in the list of those disqualified over the Samak Sundaravej Cabinet's resolution on the Preah Vihear Temple and then for allegedly unconstitutionally holding shares in companies.

Yet, he easily sailed through these storms and was left sitting pretty in his seat.

However, Sanan seems to be getting restless again, as was evidenced by his long-time aide, Akapol Sorasuchart, leaving his post as PM's deputy secretary-general to become director of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

Akapol, ever the loyal servant, had followed Sanan from the Democrat Party to Mahachon and then to Chart Thai Party. After Chart Thai was dissolved, the party's MP moved to Chart Thai Pattana, which is currently a coalition party.

When asked why he was leaving, Akapol said: "What's the use of staying, when Se Nan will be leaving in a while?"

However, Sanan has set one condition for leaving his seat - that his son Siriwat gets to be his successor. Of course, there's nothing wrong with nominating your own son, but whether the Chart Thai Pattana Party's de facto leader Banharn Silapa-Archa agrees is another thing.

A source close to Banharn, who asked not to be named, said: "I think there's little chance for Banharn, the real man behind the party, to say yes. Though the quota is Sanan's, his son is not experienced enough and is far too young."

However, a source from the Democrat Party, who asked not to be named, said Sanan had already spoken to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva about his plans. Perhaps this is part of Sanan's strategy to push for his son, regardless of what Banharn thinks.

A key member from the Chart Thai Pattana Party said Sanan had a couple of options. If Siriwat could not be made deputy PM, he could be made a minister within the Chart Thai Pattana's quota and Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa could take over as deputy PM.

Alternatively, Sanan could hand the seat to his close aide Asawin Wiphusiri.

Now we have to wait and see which option Sanan goes for and if he manages to escape Banharn's wrath.

Piyanart@nationgroup.com