TOP LEADERS AT DAGGERS DRAWN

       Cracks appear to have widened within the Democrat Party. Recently, the Democrats held an internal meeting to sort out their own grievances. The longer they stay in power, the deeper divisions they face among their hierarchy.
       Many Democrat MPs are now defecting to the camp of Banyat Bantadtan, an adviser to the party, pitting him against Suthep Thaugsuban, the secretary-general. Chuan Leekpai, head of the advisory committee of the party, is trying to juggle the power within the party.
       Banyat and Suthep still have some old scores to settle. Suthep backed Abhisit Vejjajiva when Abhisit challenged Banyat for the leadership of the Democrat Party.
       Many Democrats now feel that Suthep will take matters in his own hands and put his own interest above that of the party. At the same time, Abhisit is working too closely with Suthep.
       Political sources said that in the internal meeting Suthep did not pull his punches, knowing that many knives were out for him. "Had it not been for me, you people would not have come this far," he was quoted as saying. Suthep would like the Democrats to shower him with gratitude rather than with contempt.
       To which Banyat retorted promptly that "without you, we would have been much better off today."
       This clash signalled a fresh round in the battle for power within the Democrat Party, which is facing even more complications arising from the resignation of Niphon Promphan, the secretary-general to the prime minister. Niphon decided to bow out after his failure to lobby for General Jumpol Manmai to become the next police chief. Niphon had played out his cards and had to assume responsibility. Jumpol has lost out to General Patheep Tanprasert, who has managed to serve as acting police chief in a political compromise.
       This episode has hurt enormously the credibility of Abhisit, who engaged in a see-saw battle against Police Chief Patcharawat Wongssuwan for a whole month before the chief be edged out.
       With Niphon's departure, Abhisit has indicated he will mount a minor reshuffle of the Cabinet. But will it be a minor or a major reshuffle?
       Korbsak Sabhavasu, the deputy prime minister, will be moved out of his job and replace Niphon as secretary-general to the prime minister. Korbsak is the real economic czar, now overseeing the economic management policy of the Abhisit government. He has the trust of Abhisit. Korn Chatikavanij, the finance minister, is no match to Korbsak's experience and depth.
       Korbsak is reluctant to face a change in his role as economic czar at this juncture but will have to take up the new assignment for the sake of the party. Trairong Suwannakhiri, the Democrat veteran, will succeed Korbsak as deputy prime minister. Trairong has received full backing from Chuan.
       Political sources said the could be a reshuffle at the Foreign Ministry. They said One-art Khlamphaiboon, who is quite a capable Democrat, could replace Kasit Piromya as foreign minister in this round of Cabinet reshuffle.
       October is a bad month for Thai politics as it is a convenient time to rock the boat. General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the 2007 coup leader, is making his presence felt in the political scene, while General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has agreed to head the Pheu Thai Party. The Bhum Jai Thai Party has taken an order from the red shirt political clique to launch an amendment to the constitution.
       Abhisit is trying to hang tough in his office as the political environment deteriorates into quicksand. Between now and the end of the year, a snap election could be called at any time.