How, Chaturon asks, could the central bank governor launch an investigation into the non-performing-loan scandal at Krung Thai Bank last year when he used to be chairman of that state-owned institution.

CNN: Thailand's New Enforcer

And then there is the Krung Thai Bank affair.

CNN: Taking the Heat

Tarrin is accused of engineering the Finance Ministry's takeover of Krung Thai Bank from the Financial Institutions Development Fund in the wake of last year's leak of a PricewaterhouseCoopers audit report that exposed allegedly poor lending practices at the bank.

CNN: Taking the Heat

According to the sources, PWC took pains to point out that its conclusions about Krung Thai Bank's credit and other practices were necessarily tentative because of the limited sample. (Citing confidentiality issues, PWC declined to speak to Asiaweek about the report.) The auditors recommended a detailed examination of 100 more randomly selected accounts, a suggestion that Mechai and his board approved in July.

CNN: Inside Krung Thai

Chirayudh, who has been critical of Tarrin's handling of the economy, faults Sirin for overzealousness in turning Krung Thai into a successful commercial bank.

CNN: Inside Krung Thai