Thai coup leaders get $15 mln for new spy unit

BANGKOK, Dec 26 (Reuters) Thailand's cabinet gave coup leaders 555 million baht today to run a ''Peackeeping Command'' whose job is to maintain political stability through intelligence and psychological operations, officials said. The command, consisting of 13,625 staff from the military and police, has been tasked with working until next September to prevent political turbulence that supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra might cause, they said.

''Undercurrents, as some may call them, remain, so we have to keep a very close eye on some former MPs of the previous government,'' said Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, spokesman for the junta's Council for National Security.

''We will monitor their movement, but discreetly, so that they won't feel uncomfortable or uneasy about being followed,'' Sunsern told Reuters.

Half of Thailand remains under martial law. The post-coup government lifted martial law in the capital and nearby provinces last month to deflect international criticism after the first military intervention in 15 years on September 19.

After Thaksin, who won two landslide poll victories, was ousted, at least 30 schools were hit by fire in the north and northeast -- the former prime minister's strongholds. Seven of them were arson attacks, police said today.

No other political trouble was reported.

Sunsern said the intelligence staff would pay special attention to politicians in the north and northeast.

Government Spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said today the new unit, which would work until a new government was installed after elections due in September, was also prepared to help handle an ''extraordinary situation''.

Coup leaders have banned Thaksin from coming back to Thailand, fearing his return would cause political turmoil. Thaksin has been staying at his apartment in London since his ouster, but is visiting China.

''I am not afraid of him, but I am worried that his return will trigger unrest or violence,'' coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told reporters.

REUTERS MS VV1744