Thai military mindset stuck in the past

By The Nation

 

 

Two major rescue operations demonstrate need for more sophisticated ‘weapons’ in emergency-response missions

 

The Thai military is in the global spotlight thanks to two major rescue operations. The military led the emergency response to a boat accident off Phuket that left almost 50 Chinese tourists dead last week, and the mission to save 12 young footballers and their coach trapped inside a flooded cave in Chiang Rai cave for two weeks. 

 

The last of the 12 footballers was rescued on Tuesday, to cheers of jubilation that echoed around the world.

Fears for the safety of the boys had grown after the death of former Thai Navy SEAL diver Samarn Kunan, who lost his life while taking part in the rescue operation.

 

The 12 boys and their coach were running out of fresh air as volunteers raced the clock to drain the flooded cave and provide them with an escape route before monsoon rains returned.

 

In a country facing crises on all fronts – from economic to political – the courageous and successful mission at Tham Luang was a much-needed boost to Thai spirits. Though led by Thai Navy SEALs, the operation was an international effort that would likely not have succeeded without the selfless expertise of volunteers from across the globe. 

 

Also desperate for more oxygen, politically speaking, was the ruling junta, the National Council for Peace and Order, which had been under tremendous pressure to return the mandate back to the people after four years of military rule. 

 

The high-profile success in Chiang Rai could give them desperately needed breathing space. It is unlikely, however, to turn them into national heroes, given the brazen indifference shown by many senior figures to widespread public criticism of their inept attempts to resolve deep-rooted national problems. 

 

The popularity boost may take the pressure off in the short term, though.

 

Down South, off the coast of Phuket, a tour boat carrying mostly Chinese holidaymakers sank during a violent storm on Thursday, leaving 46 people dead. A five-metre wave caused the boat to capsize, rendering the lifejackets useless.

 

Military helicopters were brought in to help with the search for the missing, and Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha took time out to meet with some of the survivors.

 

The military was at the forefront in both these national traumas, spearheading the rescue efforts as well as providing wider logistical support. 

 

With so many accidents and emergencies occurring in and around the country’s territorial waters, it may be time for the Thai military to give higher priority to the battle against “non-traditional” threats rather than the negligible risk from foreign armies.

 

The top brass may say they do pay attention to these threats, but their arms-procurement policy and enthusiasm for military hardware don’t reflect that.

 

Even in the insurgency-hit far South, Thai security officials must patrol in lightly armoured pickup trucks that are no match for the insurgents’ roadside bombs. And this in an area where separatist insurgency and conflict since January 2004 has claimed nearly 7,000 lives.

 

In real terms, such a recalibration of military aims would mean the buying fewer main battle tanks, armoured personnel vehicles, and gunships and instead spending more on utility helicopters, better diving equipment, rapid rescue boats and other hi-tech equipment designed for the most pressing tasks.

 

It is not clear, however, whether Thailand’s generals have any political will to change their thinking. Their handling of the far South insurgency suggests rather that they will continue with business as usual.

 

But if the Chiang Rai cave rescue and the boat tragedy in Phuket tell us anything, it is that the top brass need to go back to the drawing board and rethink their outdated doctrines.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30349893

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-12

"With so many accidents and emergencies occurring in and around the country’s territorial waters, it may be time for the Thai military to give higher priority to the battle against “non-traditional” threats rather than the negligible risk from foreign armies."

 

 

Now that the crisis is over, it's time to get back to Prayuth and Prawit and their antics. I bet they were enjoying the break. 

Just one of thailands many backward thinkers ,in a long long list ,I fear Thailand is too entrenched in corruption and lawlesness to know where to begin and when you connect the dots  it leads to the top...

I don't think they have the ability to change they are stuck in an outdated paradigm. Thailand will never change until the dinosaurs have died out and so Thais wait.

20 minutes ago, mok199 said:

Just one of thailands many backward thinkers ,in a long long list ,I fear Thailand is too entrenched in corruption and lawlesness to know where to begin and when you connect the dots  it leads to the top...

So true.

Its like corruption / Lawlessness is just regarded as normal behaviour.

it's  truly unbelievable in this day and age.

Think  broken face syndrome, also holds the Thai people back

so much. 

 

 

 

Recent events have shown that some military specialists are right up there in terms of bravery and dedication to their people. Unfortunately, this being Thailand, their expertise will not necessarily be rewarded because of their family, social status and the way promotion works in this country. At the very top there appears to be massive financial rewards that can not be explained and which are certainly not shared with the 'grunts'. The military is another fine example of how social equality is so badly needed here, giving the ordinary people a chance to climb rather than be held back by status.

4 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

I don't think they have the ability to change they are stuck in an outdated paradigm. Thailand will never change until the dinosaurs have died out and so Thais wait.

unfortunatley they are still making replacement dinosaurs for the future !!!!!!!!!!!

4 hours ago, webfact said:

the National Council for Peace and Order, which had been under tremendous pressure to return the mandate back to the people after four years of military rule. 

 

how does that happen? did I misunderstand the (now not so) new constitution ensures the current regime a majority in whatever body rules the kingdom?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

In real terms, such a recalibration of military aims would mean the buying fewer main battle tanks, armoured personnel vehicles, and gunships and instead spending more on utility helicopters, better diving equipment, rapid rescue boats and other hi-tech equipment designed for the most pressing tasks.

Recalibration of the military would mean much more than military hardware procurement. Should target the concentration of power in military cliques of the Burapha Phayak and the Si Sao Thewes and break them up. Can't fathom why the military allow these kind of dangerous groups of top generals with enormous power. These cliques have been the mainstay of many coups and dominated Thai life for too long. Break up these powerful cliques and maybe the military can start to change their mindset and progress. 

The Nation just figured this out did they ?

Sums this place up. Simply looking around says it all. All for show, but nothing to give, as with school facilities plus much more... 

 

'Don't judge a book by its cover", which in this case means, what is portrayed to the rest of the world as paradise is in-fact not the true reality of life.

 

Yet again, outside aid was forthcoming, but as always this place pushes itself to the  heights of all powerful all almighty.