Shakeup of Thai military may derail peace talks

BANGKOK - Thailand's prime minister has proposed a reshuffling of top military leaders that strengthens the influence of royalists and risks intensifying a violent power struggle in one of Asia's best-performing emerging markets.

According to a draft list pending royal endorsement, the top brass will be dominated by pro-establishment royalist generals opposed to the twice-elected former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his powerful anti-government "red shirt" movement.

The military and Thailand's monarchy are the country's two most powerful institutions. The reshuffle looks set to strengthen the alliance, raising questions over whether the military and its royalist backers will play an even greater political role.