Wikileaks: Surakiat and the palace

Continuing PPT’s series based on Wikileaks cables the focus of this post is a cable discussing a conversation between Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and U.S. Ambassador Ralph Boyce on 17 March 2006.

The essence of the cable is a conversation about Thaksin Shinawatra’s political options as the 2 April election approached and there were intensified opposition calls for Thaksin to step down. Surakiat is quoted as saying that “time was running out for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.” Surakiat considered that Thaksin needed to go.

Why did Surakiat take this position? There are several reasons cited in the cable. This one struck PPT as worthy of note:

In Surakiart’s view, if Thaksin did not agree to step down “within days,” then either Privy Councilor Prem Tinsulanonda or Army Commander Sonthi [Boonyaratglin] should tell him he had to step down. According to Surakiart, both the King and the Queen want Thaksin to step aside. (Surakiart’s wife is the daughter of the King’s former principal private secretary and current Privy Councillor, giving him good insights into the Palace views.)

Boyce leaves out something significant: Thanphuying Suthawan Ladawan Sathirathai is the only daughter of Busba Kitiyakara, the younger sister of Queen Sirikit.

Surakiat presented views that matched the opposition. Indicating his egotistical streak, he stated that “he was considering resigning, ‘to send a message’ and to ‘save Thaksin from himself’.”