PM defends Gen Prawit’s controversial remarks about pre-cadet’s death

[webfact]

PM defends Gen Prawit’s controversial remarks about pre-cadet’s death

By Thai PBS

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday (Nov 23) came to the defence of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon over the latter’s provocative remarks concerning the suspicious death of a military pre-cadet.

 

On Wednesday, Gen Prawit told the media that it was usual in the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Afaps) for pre-cadets to be subjected to corporal punishment or “som” when they did something wrong and he himself used to be punished until he went unconscious, but he survived the ritual.

 

Asked by a report how to protect pre-cadets from being abused by their senior to the extent they were seriously injured, the deputy prime minister said:  “Then, they don’t have to enroll (into the school); don’t become soldiers; we only want men who are willing.”

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-defends-gen-prawits-controversial-remarks-pre-cadets-death/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-11-24

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

we only want men who are willing.

[davehowden]

"Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon: “I used to be punished, but I survive.” "

 

Yeh, mores the pity!

[edwinchester]

When dinosaurs like this are in charge then nothing will change. They really cannot see what is wrong with the system they are in charge of now.

As my old mum says...."You can't teach pork".

[rkidlad]

All these comments are confusing me and causing me to feel unease. Are there any laws that exist where I can sue? 

Edited November 23, 2017 by rkidlad

[Thailand]

I thought there was a "balled" conscription here unless the usual brown envelopes are proffered. So most "volunteers" have no choice. Nevertheless, UT does and says what he wants irrespective.

[JAG]

Real soldiers don't rely on brutality to train or maintain discipline. Period. Full stop. End of story.

 

But then plastering oneself with military bling, medals, wings, colourful aguillettes and "combat infantryman badges" doesn't make you a real soldier either.

 

Thugs and bullies are thugs and.bullies, whether in uniform or plain clothes.

 

Sent from my KENNY using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

 

 

[stephen tracy]

To begin with, if they only want "tough people", how the hell did Prayut and Prawit make it through cadet school?  Moreover, the BP report on this quoted Prayut as saying of the cadet's death: "Don't worry", and later: "What's wrong with it?".  I'm sure those words were a great comfort to the victim's grieving family, whose death the army is tripping over itself to deny responsibility for, and to add insult to injury Prayut makes light of the issue.  The problem is that it was not just an injury. He was beaten to death, but hey, don't worry!  
 

[Ossy]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

and he himself used to be punished until he went unconscious, but he survived the ritual.

And just look what a bloody mess it made of him, an apology for humanity.

[mania]

We keep waiting for Thailand to improve,Then see more crap like this & just deflate

 

 

[Eric Loh]

Disgusting and appalling comments by 2 uncouth leaders. Same disgusting comment by Trump on Sgt Johnson “that he knew what he signed up for”. Leaders not suited for high office. 

[chopin2]

 North Korea is a really horrible place.......oh, it was thailand?

[dinsdale]

Real professionals all. What a bunch of idiots this country has at the top. 

[RichardColeman]

The word punch-drunk comes to mind

[klauskunkel]

...and once you make it thru the sado-masochistic cycle of prep schools you are then ready to become a true soldier and future coup-team member. And you qualify to lead the country, automatically.

[Orton Rd]

1 hour ago, Ossy said:

And just look what a bloody mess it made of him, an apology for humanity.

why does this guy and what he comes out with remind me of the book Animal farm?

[YetAnother]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

we only want men who are willing.”

willing to be punished ?

good thought process for a PM; fatal flaw of having military in control

[kiwikeith]

2 hours ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

we only want men who are willing.

Willing to be bashed unconscious while training, I wonder if this practice causes frontal lobe damage.?

[yellowboat]

It does not speak highly of the Army's ability to save life or its understanding of good health.  There is difference between good conditioning a brutality.  These guys probably watch too many movies. 

[Gandtee]

2 hours ago, Ossy said:

And just look what a bloody mess it made of him, an apology for humanity.

Did he survive? Beating can inflict brain damage.

 

[nikmar]

Prayuth, carrying on with his tradition of woeful comments. 

[Sid Celery]

2 hours ago, Ossy said:

And just look what a bloody mess it made of him, an apology for humanity.

Agree. There's something seriously wrong with Mr Piggy. He shouldn't be in charge of a som-tan stall, let alone deputy PM.

 

If this is the best the Thai army can do then it's no wonder they haven't won any armed conflict. Ever, so far as I know... They're only good for attacking unarmed civilians and their own recruits. They're an embarrassment.

 

Mr Piggy - all mouth and trousers, just like his boss.

Edited November 24, 2017 by Sid Celery

[Jonmarleesco]

'... Gen Prawit told the media that ... he himself used to be punished until he went unconscious, but he survived the ritual.'

 

Well, we only have his word for that, and I'm not sure that's worth much. 

 

The PM defending the indefensible. He might want to reconsider dumping his elderly deputy. 

[Jonmarleesco]

17 minutes ago, Sid Celery said:

Agree. There's something seriously wrong with Mr Piggy. He shouldn't be in charge of a som-tan stall, let alone deputy PM.

 

If this is the best the Thai army can do then it's no wonder they haven't won any armed conflict. Ever, so far as I know... They're only good for attacking unarmed civilians and their own recruits. They're an embarrassment.

 

Mr Piggy - all mouth and trousers, just like his boss.

I'm sure the last conflict in which the Thai army had an active role involved riding on elephant back. And I'm not sure whether the elephant could have been reasonably expected to put up with having Prawit on its back ... always assuming he could get up there. 

Edited November 24, 2017 by Jonmarleesco

[Jonmarleesco]

1 hour ago, Orton Rd said:

why does this guy and what he comes out with remind me of the book Animal farm?

It can't. The animals were intelligent.

[Jonmarleesco]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

we only want men who are willing.”

Where Prawit is concerned, the willing bit is questionable; the man bit, more so. 

[tinca tinca]

3 hours ago, rkidlad said:

All these comments are confusing me and causing me to feel unease. Are there any laws that exist where I can sue? 

there will be somewhere but at what cost to you??

[Crazy world]

Former defence minister , keep defending the indefensible 

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

he himself used to be punished until he went unconscious

Thai military training vs democratic countries:

"The accused instructors at the Army Foundation College face charges ranging from actual bodily harm and battery, to mistreatment of subordinates.

We can confirm that 17 former recruit instructors are to face court martial proceedings at Bulford Court Martial Centre ..."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/13/army-instructors-punched-kicked-teenage-recruits/

Mr. Democratic Soldier Prayut couldn't qualify as a trainer in the British military. Yet in Thailand he is Chief of the military junta.

[Cadbury]

It has become common practice these days for Prayut to defend his buddy Prawit for the mounting stuff-ups Prawit is making within his portfolio. He has become an embarrassment for Prayut and he will likely depart Cabinet. We have previously been given a clue that ailing health will be the reason.