Wikileaks: Privy councilor on Thaksin and the prince

Privy councilor Pichitr

In a Wikileaks cable dated 20 March 2006, there is more evidence of palace unhappiness with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra – or at least of a privy councilor conveying this to the U.S. Embassy.

Under the sub-heading “MORE PALACE GRUMBLING,” Privy Councilor General Pichitr Kullavanijaya is quoted by Ambassador Ralph Boyce. Boyce had Pichitr and his wife over to his place for dinner. Let Boyce speak:

In a dinner over the weekend, the Ambassador discussed the current turmoil with Privy Councillor and West Point grad GEN Pichit Kullavanijaya and his well-connected wife. That both were quite vocal in their criticism of Thaksin was not surprising; the vehemence of their comments was unexpected, however. Pichit’s wife alleged that the King is thoroughly displeased because Thaksin’s efforts over time to curry favor with the controversial Crown Prince [Vajiralongkorn] have “divided” the Royal Household.

Indeed, such anti-Thaksin comments would not be unexpected from Pichitr (for earlier posts mentioning him, see here (with a Boyce link too), here and here). He has been public and outspoken in attacking Thaksin. That the relationships within the family are cited is again interesting.