Thai Leader Loses Military’s Support

The leaders of last year’s military coup in Thailand withdrew their support Saturday from the man designated by a pro-army coalition to lead the country back to democracy, political and military sources said.

Narong Wongwan’s selection as Thailand’s 19th prime minister has been in question since the United States revealed recently that he was denied an American visa in 1991 because of suspected links to the international drug trade.

Political and military sources said military support for Narong was abandoned after meetings Friday night and Saturday of the National Peacekeeping Council, the junta that has overseen the work of a caretaker government since a February, 1991, coup.

“Mr. Narong has been informed of the decision,” a source said.

Narong’s Samakkhi Tham Party won more parliamentary seats than any other party in March 22 general elections and forged a coalition with four other pro-military groupings.