Thai coup chief gets political nod from old strongman

BANGKOK, Aug 6 (Reuters) A former Thai army strongman forced to quit as prime minister in 1992 after bloody street protests said today coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin should be allowed to enter politics after his retirement in October.

Suchinda Kraprayoon, whose short, non-elected premiership ended after the army shot dead dozens of people in what is now known as ''Black May'', said Sonthi had every right to participate in politics as a civilian.

''There is a general public misconception about soldiers setting up political parties. After retirement, they should be viewed as launching parties like any ordinary civilians,'' Suchinda told reporters.

Suchinda stepped down after a televised dressing down from revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Sonthi, head of the bloodless coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last September, is due to retire at the end of next month but has remained coy about his plans beyond that, prompting speculation he will ''do a Suchinda'' and run for office.

His opponents have said any attempt to extend his power by running in elections promised for December would meet strong resistance from Thaksin supporters and anti-coup groups, igniting fears of a ''Black May'' reprise.

''He should do it now if he wants to, but whether it will be accepted by the public is another matter,'' Suchinda said.

''Soldiers always have the best interest of the nation at heart.

When they have worked for almost a year and still see unresolved problems, they cannot just walk away.'' The retired general, who was speaking to reporters at his house on his 74th birthday, said Sonthi's decision should depend on whether he was able to play a positive role.

''I cannot say whether he is suitable for the premiership.

General Sonthi has not displayed his political skills. One can be a good army leader but not so successful in leading a political party,'' he said.

At face value, last year's coup stemmed from middle-class street protests in 2006 against Thaksin's autocratic style, alleged corruption and huge personal wealth, which opponents say he wielded unfairly to secure impregnable support from rural voters.

But analysts say it was as much about a royalist military and corporate elite removing a nouveau riche, ethnic Chinese businessman who had encroached too far on their traditional turf.

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