0		Just, Who, Wants, Jumpol?

The Nation has an article that Secretary-General of the PM's Office (in theory like a Chief of Staff) has supposedly offered his resignation after his role in backing Jumpol instead of Abhisit's choice for the Police Chief. This tidbit though may be important:

According to prominent circles, Bhum Jai Thai leaders claimed that after Niphon came back from Germany, he contacted Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and other members of the Police Commission to champion Jumpol.

If Abhisit tried to push Patheep through without heeding the calls from Suthep and Niphon, leaders believe the government would not survive because Bhum Jai and Thai is ready to go to the polls.

BP: In case you are thinking this is just The Nation's sources - Thai Rath and Matichon have the same tidbit about Germany. It doesn't say when the trip was made, but from the wording it seems it was a trip in the last week and Niphon just returned.

Two issues here. First, on Germany, Niphon has an interesting background and one may wonder what changed his mind after his trip to Germany. BP can think of one reason which fits in with who PAD likes and dislikes and well rumored Bhum Jai Thai connections, but well one must be cryptic....

Second, on the next Police Chief, Bhum Jai Thai sources have said that Niphon and Suthep have told Abhisit to nominate both Patheep and Jumpol for a vote and the winner takes the position because otherwise Bhum Jai Thai may leave the coalition and then the Democrats won't be able to beat Puea Thai at the next election (Matichon, Thai Rath). This seems part of the Bhum Jai "threat" (Chai Chidchob was saying on Friday that there may be a dissolution).

Democrat sources say that Chuan and Banyat (both former Democrat leaders) support Abhisit in nominating Patheep, but the article also notes that Niphon and Suthep disagree, but will negotiate with Bhum Jai Thai on Abhisit's behalf. Nevertheless, the end result is that Abhisit says it could take another 2 weeks before we know the name of the next Police Chief.

On the cryptic statement above, unsure whether this from The Nation is related:

Abhisit has decided to stick with his earlier decision to appoint Patheep after checking with some highly-placed sources and find-|ing out that a claim cited by those who opposed his decision was not true.

BP: Would hazard a guess this relates to behind the scenes support for Jumpol.