Military pledges firm backing for PM Prayut

By JITRAPORN SENAWONG, 
KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

 

Supreme commander hints at other military leaders also joining pro junta parties

 

AMID apparent efforts by the junta and its backers to ensure the return of Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister after the election, the military yesterday pledged its full support to the ruling junta and its leaders.

 

Supreme Commander Thanchaiyan Srisuwan yesterday admitted that the military remained a tool of the government even though Prayut had shown signs of political ambition He said to support the government was the military’s central role.

 

The military support came after a series of political moves from junta chief Prayut to consolidate power in preparation for the election, which is planned for next February. 

 

The junta leader last week appointed an influential politician as his political adviser. 

 

He is also travelling upcountry to attend a mobile Cabinet session but there has been speculation that he will meet other popular politicians, wooing them for support Regardless of Prayut’s political machinations, the supreme commander reiterated that the military stood by the government and its leader. 

 

Under the military-sponsored charter, Prayut can return to the top government job after the election if 376 out of 750 parliamentarians vote for him even if he does not lead any political party Prayut has in his pocket 250 senators handpicked by the junta’s committee The general needs 126 votes from the House of Representatives, where elected politicians sit. 

 

Thanchaiyan did not rule out the possibility of military leaders also joining the pro-junta party that could be set up to back Prayut. 

 

However, personally, the general said he might not be involved His role remains only within the National Legislative Assembly of which he is a member.

 

In response to a question about the military being politically non-partisan, Thanchaiyan said the Armed Forces support the government’s policies Normally, the framework was laid out long before and the Army followed it, he added.

 

Asked if the military would become a tool in Prayut’s political campaign, the supreme commander said the military did what it did regardless of people’s perceptions.

 

Wanwichit Boonprong, a military and security affairs expert from Rangsit University, said the military’s support for the military-led government was not unexpected.

 

The relationship between the military and the junta government, even after the next election, was well secured not only by the fraternal ties among military personnel but also by mutual interest, he said.

 

‘Strong comradeship’

 

“The military network now has close ties with key junta leaders like Prayut and his deputy Prawit Wongsuwan,” he said “They would continue to help secure the junta, overseeing dissent On the other hand, the junta will also reward them with a liberal budget and smooth and continuous implementation of policies.” 

 

That is one of the reasons why the military prefers a military-led government to a civilian one, Wanwichit explained. 

 

They trust generals-turned-politicians better than they do ordinary politicians when it comes to shuffling positions, he said This was due to their strong comradeship, he added.

 

After the next election, although the junta leaders may lose their absolute power provided by Article 44 and may seem distant from the Army, the expert said he believed Prayut and Prawit would continue to be powerful and have the potential to retain power. They would have the support of both the military and politicians, he said. 

 

“They will be protected by the senators they appoint and they have politicians they are wooing now,” he said “And these figures also have to yield to the Army’s power Politicians don’t want to have problems with the military. They prefer to stay on the same side And all this makes Prayut powerful,” the expert said. 

 

This scenario was unlike the previous coup led by Sonthi Boonyaratglin in 2006, he said. 

 

Sonthi toppled the elected civilian government of Thaksin Shinawatra, formed a party when he stepped down more than a year later to enter the electoral fray, which portrayed a power-hungry image, he said In Prayut’s case, he has politicians and technocrats as a cushion, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30344065

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-27

Quelle surprise. 

Winding his watch forward to victory hour?  If he had a Casio, he could probably set a date and time.

And if another party secures a majority in the election? Will the military support a different, duly-constituted Prime Minister? If the military is speaking up so blatantly now, perhaps it is time for the parties to simply say that all is a sham and that you won't participate? To call for a boycott?

 

Political parties, if you don't start to question the legitimacy of the electoral process very soon, it will be too late. And if you meekly acquiesce to an unfair process, it'll have the same effect as if you supported it.

 

Speak up or give up.

 

Edited April 26, 20188 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

Shocking news!

Unsurprising but nauseating all the same. It is just sad to see a man with all the smarts of a donkey blatantly stealing a country, and only a small handful of people doing anything about it.

 

Thailand's political leaders for decades have been absurdly bad, but this guy who is stupid as mud isn't even facing any resistance. 

 

Thailand is in the gutter for sure right now. Hope is pretty much lost

3 minutes ago, z42 said:

Unsurprising but nauseating all the same. It is just sad to see a man with all the smarts of a donkey blatantly stealing a country, and only a small handful of people doing anything about it.

 

Thailand's political leaders for decades have been absurdly bad, but this guy who is stupid as mud isn't even facing any resistance. 

 

Thailand is in the gutter for sure right now. Hope is pretty much lost

The truth is he has threatened all the resistance, not allowing meetings more than 5 people that is, with threats of jail, meanwhile making sure he cannot be touched with his total amnesty using art.44 whenever he feels like it and so on, Thailand does not deserve this, and how they will get out of this and return to some sort of democracy I've no idea, other than bloodshed and more take overs, time will tell! 

Looks like Thailand will continue to live in interesting times for some time yet.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

That is one of the reasons why the military prefers a military-led government to a civilian one, Wanwichit explained. 

Can the Junta get any closer to nepotism.

376 needed he has the 250 and needs the 126, rapidly lowering this number with more strategic appointments and if I understand appointments that have happened over the last few months and weeks  this number is already down to below, 100,

 

Already quenching his thirst.

 

Or, another co?p in the offing.

1 hour ago, z42 said:

Thailand's political leaders for decades have been absurdly bad, but this guy who is stupid as mud isn't even facing any resistance. 

Stupid he is not, 

immune he is, 

Just now, maxcorrigan said:

The truth is he has threatened all the resistance, not allowing meetings more than 5 people that is, with threats of jail, meanwhile making sure he cannot be touched with his total amnesty using art.44 whenever he feels like it and so on, Thailand does not deserve this, and how they will get out of this and return to some sort of democracy I've no idea, other than bloodshed and more take overs, time will tell! 

He has effectively made the only available option violence. He knows that. That's why he bought the new tanks and armoured vehicles. And that's why they're parked outside Bangkok. Never could work out the reason for the Chinese sub though. I don't think he will lose the power of Article 44. It will just be replaced by the same thing with a different name. My prediction is that once he sails into the country's leadership after the "election", he will be a lot less restrained than he his now. The military is now there at his disposal. It's over. There's not even any point in having an election, it's just a bit of window dressing that he thinks might but him some time with the international community. But like pretty much every (word we cannot say) in history, he and his coterie will inevitably eventually overplay their hand. Thailand can only sit back and wait for that Tunisia moment. 

Just now, leeneeds said:

Stupid he is not, 

immune he is, 

He' very stupid. Just watch his Friday night show. He's an insult to stupid people. He doesn't make his own decisions, he's a puppet. People pull his strings. That much is obvious. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Supreme Commander Thanchaiyan Srisuwan yesterday admitted that the military remained a tool of the government even though Prayut had shown signs of political ambition He said to support the government was the military’s central role.

does he mean a civilian government or a military one ?

54 minutes ago, stephen tracy said:

He' very stupid. Just watch his Friday night show. He's an insult to stupid people. He doesn't make his own decisions, he's a puppet. People pull his strings. That much is obvious. 

Anyone who can climb to the top of the military power base, and then can be in the position he is now, shoring up a  further power base, that if defeated has a back door  and  get out of jail card with article 44 in place, and  is currently engaged in shrewd moves to retain the big chair,  sure is not my definition of stupid,

Firm pledge from the brass, whose military career paved  the way to wealth and privilege, one way or another....... Wonder if the conscripted grunts share their devotion?

Just now, Aj Mick said:

Firm pledge from the brass, whose military career paved  the way to wealth and privilege, one way or another....... Wonder if the conscripted grunts share their devotion?

I seriously doubt it, especially when they're getting beaten to death. 

Just now, leeneeds said:

Anyone who can climb to the top of the military power base, and then can be in the position he is now, shoring up a  further power base, that if defeated has a back door  and  get out of jail card with article 44 in place, and  is currently engaged in shrewd moves to retain the big chair,  sure is not my definition of stupid,

He didn't come up with that plan, here merely implemented it with the blessings of those who installed him. He is their attack dog, a useful idiot. But he is their idiot. 

Course they support him - their funding drops under any other government and PM !

Normally it would be called Branch Stacking and hes doing a good job of it winner winner chicken dinner !

The humble Thai can thank the democrats for their lack democracy.  The democratic soldier will rely on hand picked, non democratically elected MP's to secure his position.  So this is reform in Thailand.  The reform is to keep a single bogey man influencing politics.  Instead there men in uniform escorting a doll trying to influence people.  The bogey man, at least, does not insult one's intelligence.  

23 minutes ago, stephen tracy said:

He didn't come up with that plan, here merely implemented it with the blessings of those who installed him. He is their attack dog, a useful idiot. But he is their idiot. 

Idiot which was supposed to have an IQ roughly speaking of 0-25, 

But if you look at what IQ measures, = how capable you are at learning new things and grasping new concepts, I still think Prayut has grasped the concept of the seat of power, and is learning how to keep that seat warm, for himself.

3 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Shocking news!

Yes and no.

 

No because it is Thailand but yes because the military should have no political role whatsoever. 

 

I cant imagine the commander of troops in my home country siding with any political party; he will never comment on politics in any way.

 

And if he does he will be replaced within hours, simply because no population wants a group of armed and trained men (and women) possibly not taking orders from their leadership (with elected ooliticians being their leaders).

Do military agree to civilian government?

Why have election?

Just now, leeneeds said:

Idiot which was supposed to have an IQ roughly speaking of 0-25, 

But if you look at what IQ measures, = how capable you are at learning new things and grasping new concepts, I still think Prayut has grasped the concept of the seat of power, and is learning how to keep that seat warm, for himself.

You don't think he's under orders from above, so to speak? Or do you mean he's growing bolder despite being installed, and in spite of those who installed him? Perhaps you're right, maybe he'll become something of a Frankenstein's monster to the powers that be. Now that would be interesting. Perhaps there's more to this military endorsement than meets the eye. I like your line of thinking. I hadn't considered that. I didn't think he had it in him. The plot possibly thickens. 

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

And if another party secures a majority in the election? Will the military support a different, duly-constituted Prime Minister? If the military is speaking up so blatantly now, perhaps it is time for the parties to simply say that all is a sham and that you won't participate? To call for a boycott?

 

Political parties, if you don't start to question the legitimacy of the electoral process very soon, it will be too late. And if you meekly acquiesce to an unfair process, it'll have the same effect as if you supported it.

 

Speak up or give up.

 

This is exactly what Eligius and myself have been saying. The politicians either need to kick up an unholy racket now and refuse to participate any further in this farce or it is Thankyou and Goodnight to any form of representative democracy. 

I know you are more of an optimist than we are, but surely even you can hear the fat lady limbering up and clearing her throat...

Edited April 27, 20188 yr by baboon

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

And if another party secures a majority in the election? Will the military support a different, duly-constituted Prime Minister? If the military is speaking up so blatantly now, perhaps it is time for the parties to simply say that all is a sham and that you won't participate? To call for a boycott?

 

Political parties, if you don't start to question the legitimacy of the electoral process very soon, it will be too late. And if you meekly acquiesce to an unfair process, it'll have the same effect as if you supported it.

 

Speak up or give up.

 

Brilliant post, Samui Bodoh. Yes, it really is well past the eleventh hour now and is abundantly clear that the Thais are NOT going to be given any fair, free or meaningful election whatsoever. The whole thing is a stitch-up from start to finish., with the military pledged (effectively) to an endless coup against genuine democracy.

So: there needs to be a MASS public OUTCRY and UPROAR about what is happening in this country.

 

The silence, however -  is deafening ...

 

 

29 minutes ago, baboon said:

This is exactly what Elgius and myself have been saying. The politicians either need to kick up an unholy racket now and refuse to participate any further in this farce or it is Thankyou and Goodnight to any form of representative democracy. 

I know you are more of an optimist than we are, but surely even you can hear the fat lady limbering up and clearing her throat...

Fabulous post, Baboon. Yes, you and I and some others keep saying that it is game, set and match already for the filthy Thai Powers That Be - unless the Thai populace get off their backside (in their MILLIONS) and really FIGHT for their children's future.

 

Otherwise, as I keep saying: enjoy your life (Thais) as slaves squirming in the dust (remember to give your nice smiley little wais to your masters while you are down there in the dirt!).

Edited April 27, 20188 yr by Eligius

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Military pledges firm backing for PM Prayut

Military don't vote but the people does and the people had enough of the 4+ years of police state, bad economy and blatant corruption, nepotism and cronyism. They just holding their frustrations and will display their discontentment at the ballot box. I believe that those parties that are associated with the military will be disseminated at the polls like in all previous elections.

 

Let Prayut live in his own bubble fantasy surrounded by sycophants who are out of touch with the grass roots and massaging him with information that he like. He is so out of touch with the reality on the grounds. He made the biggest mistake of prolonging his stay and delaying the election. This anger even his supporters and galvanize his opponents. This will be his undoing.