PHEU THAI'S NEW RECRUITS IMPRESS FEW

       Although the Pheu Thai Party is hyping up some 20 new party members as a political scoop to signal dissension within the military's ranks, political observers point out these ex-soldiers-turned-politicians have never been a major voice of the military. The 20 may have been classmates of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra from Pre-Cadet Class 10, but Thaksin often treated them with indifference and chose to dispense favours only to those classmates with clout when he was in power.
       The observers say of the 20 new Pheu Thai members, only three can be counted as 'somebody'- Manas Paorik, former deputy commander of the Third Army Region; Jirasit Kesakomol, former commander of the First Army Corps and Sumeth Phomanee, retired Air Force officer and former chief of staff to the defence minister.
       Sumeth served last year under Samak Sundaravej when he held the concurrent positions of prime minister and defence minister. "We decided to join Pheu Thai because of its practical policies to improve on the people's livelihood," he said.
       All 20 Pheu Thai newcomers are military retirees.
       The clique of Pre-Cadet Class 10, seen as pro-Thaksin, held a reunion dinner on Monday and Thaksin phoned-in to greet his classmates and thank them for their support. But his call failed apparently to convince the 'stars' of the class to join Pheu Thai.
       General Pornchai Kranlert, once a Thaksin favourite for the position of Army chief, and Lt General Prin Suwanthat, once powerful commander of the First Army Division, begged for more time to form a decision.
       More than 80 per cent of Thaksin's classmates failed to show up for the dinner. The no-shows are apparently linked to a clique led by Army chief General Anupong Paochinda.
       Even though most of Class 10 have been sidelined since the 2006 coup, Anupong has made sure those distancing themselves from Thaksin had their ranks elevated before retirement.
       Yesterday Yongyuth hosted a luncheon for his new party members, billed to number more than 40 although 20 showed up.
       Sumeth admitted that Thaksin had convinced the old classmates to support him by joining the party, but
       dismissed concern about Class 10 being seen as taking the opposite side to chief royal adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda.
       "We are retired officers and once out of military service, we are like other civilians who can choose to join a political party," he said.
       Veteran Pheu Thai member General Panlop Pinmanee said Prem had no right to monopolise patriotism by putting Pheu Thai members in a bad light.
       Pheu Thai newcomer Amnuay Thirachunha said he expected the political mercury to rise after Class 10's teaming up with the opposition.
       He claimed more than 50 graduates from Class 10 would eventually adopt the Pheu Thai banner, although some key graduates like General Pornchai Kranlert had not shown up.
       He also dismissed speculation about a rift between his clique and class president and Army chief General Anupong Paochinda.
       "We focus on our common ground and not our differences, he said.