Supreme Court rules ex-defence minister’s order to dismiss Abhisit from Army unlawful

By The Nation

 

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva

 

The Supreme Court has ruled against a former defence minister’s order to discharge Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva from the Army, Abhisit’s lawyer Bundit Siriphan said on Tuesday.

 

The Pheu Thai Party’s ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat had signed an order in 2012 to dismiss Abhisit from the Army, but Bundit – citing the court’s ruling – said the order was not lawful.

 

The court also revoked the order, he added.

 

Bundit said Abhisit was not serving in the Army or leaving his duty, as he had not been a serving officer since leaving the Army 23 years ago.

 

The order, with its retroactive effect, was therefore unlawful and deemed to be a violation of Abhisit’s rights, the lawyer stressed, adding that the former prime minister had the right to fight the matter in the courts to protect his rights.

 

Bundit also pointed out that Abhisit could use the Supreme Court’s ruling to lodge a complaint against Sukumpol with the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

 

The Democrat will hold a press conference on the matter tomorrow.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30336448

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-17

Does that mean he will be able to use the title: "Second Lieutenant (Army Cadet Force) Retired?"

 

Sent from my KENNY using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

I still don't get it why people boast they served in the army.. its a job they choose. They get extra pay if in combat, why the big fuzz about it. Sure if they preformed some sort of heroic act different story. But just being in the army / navy / airforce. 

 

But here in Thailand they love their uniforms ribbons and medals. 

47 minutes ago, robblok said:

I still don't get it why people boast they served in the army.. its a job they choose. They get extra pay if in combat, why the big fuzz about it. Sure if they preformed some sort of heroic act different story. But just being in the army / navy / airforce. 

 

But here in Thailand they love their uniforms ribbons and medals. 

 

Surely you must understand why they do this in Thailand? 

In Thailand, all critical political success is related to one's military position. The military is the state within the state that is unaccountable to the civilian government. Included with this is  police rank.

It starts as a minor issue: The failure to hold a rank impedes one's rise within the social hierarchy. However, without a service record, one is blocked from ever achieving "success" within the Thai caste structure. It doesn't matter for the "have nots", but for those who come from established families with dreams of wealth and power it is a must. 

If we look at past political jockeying for position, the former PM Thaksin was a graduate of the Army school and  became a police Lt. Colonel. He emphasized that part of his background to show that he was "law and order" and could be trusted by the military (Paradox aside.)

 

Military service with an officer rank is important within the social hierarchy. It says whether you are part of the establishment or not. 

 

3 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

 

Surely you must understand why they do this in Thailand? 

In Thailand, all critical political success is related to one's military position. The military is the state within the state that is unaccountable to the civilian government. Included with this is  police rank.

It starts as a minor issue: The failure to hold a rank impedes one's rise within the social hierarchy. However, without a service record, one is blocked from ever achieving "success" within the Thai caste structure. It doesn't matter for the "have nots", but for those who come from established families with dreams of wealth and power it is a must. 

If we look at past political jockeying for position, the former PM Thaksin was a graduate of the Army school and  became a police Lt. Colonel. He emphasized that part of his background to show that he was "law and order" and could be trusted by the military (Paradox aside.)

 

Military service with an officer rank is important within the social hierarchy. It says whether you are part of the establishment or not. 

 

Thanks for the explanation, did not know that. I come from the Netherlands we look differently at the army.  A lot different from Thailand and countries like the UK and US. 

His service in the CCF should count for something.

Free press is in- valuable at these times of prepardness

of the forth coming election.