Lt-Gen Thanakorn dismisses claims of political wooing

[webfact]

General dismisses claims of political wooing

By The Nation

 

 

The commander of the Second Army Area on Wednesday dismissed a claim by a pro-junta political group that he gave them “the green light” to woo support in the northeast.
 

Lt-Gen Thanakorn Thammawinthorn, commander of the area which covers 20 northeastern provinces, said that he did not give the green light to any politicians making moves in the area under his jurisdiction.

 

A group of veteran politicians called Sam Mit (Three Friends) made the claim recently. They reportedly wooed former MPs in the northeast to join them ahead of the next election. The group is linked to a new political party called Palang Pracharat, which plans to nominate Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its PM candidate in the election.

 

Thanakorn said on Wednesday that those politicians have the right to visit people personally and that no laws have been violated.

 

He maintained that legal action would be taken if any member of Sam Mit broke the law. “We have officials to monitor political groups,” he said, adding that he had informed the authorities regarding the “untrue claim” about him.

 

The commander heads the peacekeeping force for the northeast set up after the coup in May 2014.

 

He said his personal focus was on enforcing the ban on political gatherings of five people or more, which was imposed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) when it came to power. “We will continue to enforce this prohibition until the NCPO lifts the ban,” he added.

 

Thanakorn also defended the Second Army Area following a report that one of its high-ranking officers asked politicians to help the junta retain its power. He said that it was a personal matter, as it was likely the officer might have known the politicians personally.

 

He said leaders of the red shirts, the most powerful political group in the northeast, had cooperated well with the authorities. “They have done no damage and they follow the rules,” he added.

 

The commander was speaking to reporters at Napalai Hotel in Udon Thani. A gathering was held there as part of the army’s public relations project. It was attended by senior officials and high-ranking officers from the Internal Security Operations Command from the northeastern provinces of Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom.

 

Thanakorn said his area had remained peaceful. He expected no serious problems in the run-up to the next election, promised by the junta to be held in February.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30352746

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-23

[Samui Bodoh]

"...The commander of the Second Army Area on Wednesday dismissed a claim by a pro-junta political group that he gave them “the green light” to woo support in the northeast..."

 

I have to agree with the General; when do military people interfere in Thai politics? When the military does it, it is not politics. And, even if they did, the superiority of the 'Green' and 'Yellow' side is well-known, so that makes it okay.

 

"...Thanakorn said on Wednesday that those politicians have the right to visit people personally and that no laws have been violated..."

 

The General has a point; it is not like this is political activity of the 'Red-Shirt' kind! This is political activity of the 'Green' and 'Yellow' kind and that is okay. More than okay, the superiority of 'ideology' of the 'Green' and 'Yellow' should damn-well be treated differently! Jeez, some people don't get it!

 

"...Thanakorn also defended the Second Army Area following a report that one of its high-ranking officers asked politicians to help the junta retain its power. He said that it was a personal matter, as it was likely the officer might have known the politicians personally..."

 

Again, the General has a point; this is political activity of the 'Green' and 'Yellow' kind and is superior. Don't people understand that this is... different? Better? Damn it, these are the 'good' people!

 

I don't see what the fuss is all about; the rules don't apply to the 'Yellow' and 'Green' side, do they? This is simply a case of one side of the political divide exercising their superior rights because they are the 'good' people.

 

Chill out, dudes!

 

(sarcasm alert)

 

 

 

[zzaa09]

Any defensive discussions and positions become moot, even contradictory, when talk turns to military influence and manipulation. 

Hasn't it been of this nature forever?

Embedded into the culture in one degree or another. 

[klauskunkel]

Just say it how it really is, General. You all are not wooing for political reasons, it's purely romantic.

[Cadbury]

Anyone belonging to the senior ranks of Thai military couldn't lie straight in bed. Whether it be politics or killing recruits. 

[yellowboat]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thanakorn also defended the Second Army Area following a report that one of its high-ranking officers asked politicians to help the junta retain its power. He said that it was a personal matter, as it was likely the officer might have known the politicians personally.

The junta and the army work very hard at explaining away things.  Prawit watches fiasco is of course the greatest fabrication ever.  Even if true, it shows abominably poor judgment on his part.  Lt-Gen Thanakorn Thammawinthorn and the rest of the army are either lying for their own gain, or are using poor judgment.  Either way, it shows how little the Thai army thinks of fair elections and of the Thai people as a whole. 

[Srikcir]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

he did not give the green light to any politicians making moves in the area under his jurisdiction.

He gave a camo light.

[chama]

Yep, when you are viewed as being in charge you can dismiss anything you want. Weather it is true or not. On the other hand when you have something to gain by the dismissal, like perhaps a cherry job after the election, you may be inclined to cover something up through your dismissal.

[mok199]

just another part time taxi driver trying to make ends meet...