The announcement came as Gen Trairong Intaratat, a retired army specialist and classmate of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, told the media he was astonished by reports he has been included on the list of “dark influences” prepared by the 1st Army’s peacekeeping force.
Gen Trairong, also know as Seh Ice said yesterday that he had been keeping a low profile since retirement and dismissed the report as “nonsense”.
However, military sources said he is on the list of four people believed to be wielding “dark influence” behind the scenes submitted to the 1st Infantry Division.
Gen Trairong was a member of Class 10 at pre-cadet school along with Thaksin.
He said he would not attach any importance to the report.
“I have been retired for seven years and have never quarrelled with anyone. I have kept myself in a low profile and know nothing about ‘influential people’. I want to remain quiet,” he said.
Gen Trairong, who is now 67, was lately reported to be in poor health and not as strong as before. After the May 22, 2014 coup, he frequently travelled overseas for rest and medical treatment, not wanting to have any problems with the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Col Winthai announced the move ahead of the scheduled meeting today (Mar 8) of the peace-keeping force of the 1st Army, when units will be assigned to implement the new “get tough on dark influence” policy.
He said the move was triggered by the large number of complaints filed with the NCPO indicating that some people are still trying to take advantage of other people in various ways.
Initial investigations found there were grounds for some of the complaints, while others were made with ill intentions against other people.
The security-related units will have to verify the complaints before taking action, which must be according to the law, Col Winthai said.
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