Politicians tell the Army chief to remain neutral 

By THE NATION

 

File photo : Army Commander in Chief General Apirat Kongsompong
 

Parties say they have right to propose policies and the general has no business to interfere

 

POLITICIANS yesterday claimed their right to propose policies to the voters, in a strong response to the Army chief’s aggressive reaction on Monday over proposals to cut the defence budget. 

 

Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong had said on Monday that politicians who proposed to cut the defence budget should listen to the ultra-patriotic song, “Nak Paendin” (worthless). 

 

Politicians from key parties hit back yesterday, saying they had the right to present their policies to voters, and also advised the general to remain politically neutral. 

 

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that all political parties were entitled to propose any policies, including those that affected the Army, pointing out that proposing policies was normal and should not lead to conflicts. 

 

He added that his party too was approaching voters with proposals, such as making conscription on a voluntary basis, and that the defence budget be reduced. 

 

As for the Army chief’s invocation of the propagandist anthem, which could potentially incite hatred and violence against Army critics, Abhisit said the general, as a state servant, should remain non-partisan. 

 

He also advised Apirat to make his case if he feels his agency is affected by the proposals. Abhisit said everybody should just do their jobs. 

 

Veteran politician Chaturon Chaisang, a key leader of Thai Raksa Chart Party, echoed Abhisit, saying it was not in the ambit of the Army chief’s duty to voice opposition to the policies of political parties. 

 

“He has no right to say that,” Chaturon said, referring to Apirat’s remarks urging politicians to listen to “Nak Paendin”. 

 

“This reaction only shows that he is not non-partisan and such remarks are completely unlawful.” 

 

The servants of the state are obliged to remain politically neutral and this is especially important in the lead-up to the election, he added. Apart from not being neutral, Chaturon said the general’s reaction demonstrated his ignorance of the relationship between politics, the government and state agencies. 

 

“While campaigning for votes, political parties have the right to propose policies about adjusting the budgets of different agencies,” Chaturon said.

 

“However, these agencies cannot oppose these policies. If the party wins, then it has the mandate to carry out these policies. The Army chief has to respect that.” 

 

Overhaul necessary

 

Other politicians and critics said the general’s response only showed that the Army was in need of an overhaul. 

 

Spokesperson of Future Forward Party Pannika Wanich said the Army had to remain neutral, yet in many cases the reality was otherwise. 

 

“It is clear that they are abusing their power to add pressure or even interfere in politics,” she said. “The worst they can do is launch another coup to seize power. This is exactly why the Army needs to be reformed.” 

 

Lt-General Pongsakorn Rodchom-phoo, Future Forward’s deputy leader, said the party had proposed that the Army should be led by joint chiefs of staff and be reduced in size, which will not only boost cost efficiency, but also prioritise quality over quantity. 

 

Meanwhile, security expert Wanwichit Boonprong told The Nation yesterday that changing the chain of command was a feasible option for Thailand as it would reduce the power of the Army. 

 

Under this system, he said, there will only be one supreme commander, known as the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, who will report directly to the head of the government. The commander will only play a supporting role and will have no right to provide any political inputs, he added.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30364422

 

 -- © Copyright The Nation 2019-02-20

No problem, you will be shot with one bullet not ten. 

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

Politicians from key parties hit back yesterday, saying they had the right to present their policies to voters, and also advised the general to remain politically neutral. 

The military is and never has been politically neutral. It has always sought the support of the elite who control most other things.

If Thai's don't vote "the right way" the General will be in charge after the inevitable coup.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Abhisit said the general, as a state servant, should remain non-partisan. 

clearly doesnt get it; in thailand, the army does Not report to any civilian government nor such amorphous concept, just ask them

Politicians tell Army chief....keep your nose out, your turn will come, sooner rather than later.

Right and wrong.. Going by the picture posted with the story he looks like he doesn't know the difference between right and left ????

 

Seriously though, this guy if we are going to judge him by his words lately, seems a highly unhinged, dangerous character.

A coup under his watch appears almost guaranteed

28 minutes ago, z42 said:

Right and wrong.. Going by the picture posted with the story he looks like he doesn't know the difference between right and left ????

 

Seriously though, this guy if we are going to judge him by his words lately, seems a highly unhinged, dangerous character.

A coup under his watch appears almost guaranteed

I thought most of the above was a prerequisite for the position?

They never will remain neutral whilst they have the ideology that Thailand and all the people produce a GDP purely to support military elitism that considers all monies generated is theirs to use as they so wish.  

The army should be sent back to their barracks and taught how to obey orders, not just run around making wild remarks about something they no nothing about, this has already been proved by the present leaders of the country who know absolutely F##k all about running a country

26 minutes ago, z42 said:

Right and wrong.. Going by the picture posted with the story he looks like he doesn't know the difference between right and left ????

 

Seriously though, this guy if we are going to judge him by his words lately, seems a highly unhinged, dangerous character.

A coup under his watch appears almost guaranteed

A coup by this dangerous schmuck would make the last coup-maker look like an angel sent from heaven. His weird flamboyant underwear gives a clue to the state of his ego, his mind and his insecurity.  

Just now, a977 said:

The army should be sent back to their barracks and taught how to obey orders, not just run around making wild remarks about something they no nothing about, this has already been proved by the present leaders of the country who know absolutely F##k all about running a country

I wouldn't say that.

They're getting quite good at running the country down. That, and intimidating any criticism.

3 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

A coup by this dangerous schmuck would make the last coup-maker look like an angel sent from heaven. His weird flamboyant underwear gives a clue to the state of his ego, his mind and his insecurity.  

Yeah, that under-shirt - red and white. Couldn't it be considered treasonable by someone in his position.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He added that his party too was approaching voters with proposals, such as making conscription on a voluntary basis, and that the defence budget be reduced. 

Voluntary conscription, isn't that, like, enlisting?

Bit late for these politicians to be lashing out at the army while competing in their rigged election under their rigged constitution, only for the privilege of sitting in their gerrymandered parliament to follow their 20 year national strategy.

Still, getting under the military's skin at least once again exposes the fact that Thailand is an army with a country, not the other way round.

Edited February 20, 20197 yr by baboon

Take away their weapons so they cannot have another coup.

1 minute ago, nong38 said:

Take away their weapons so they cannot have another coup.

Best way is to end the money trail, shut off the money, and no one will follow these idiots anywhere.

31 minutes ago, baboon said:

Bit late for these politicians to be lashing out at the army while competing in their rigged election under their rigged constitution, only for the privilege of sitting in their gerrymandered parliament to follow their 20 year national strategy.

Still, getting under the military's skin at least once again exposes the fact that Thailand is an army with a country, not the other way round.

'Thailand is an army with a country, not the other way round'. What a superb and accurate way of characterising the reality of Thailand. This is one of the best assessments of Thailand that I have ever seen. You should patent that quote, Baboon!

 

Edited February 20, 20197 yr by Eligius

And the so called”electoral commission “ have nothing to say ? Members of another party criticised the junta Gov last week and were taken in for their “critical attitude” Corrupt from the hilt .. top to bottom

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Politicians tell the Army chief to remain neutral

 

The general has agreed to remain neutral...but demands 20 chickens per day in exchange.

 

Edited February 20, 20197 yr by Hayduke

Looking like a general election or the military version recoup when the guns come out sure he will have a new sew on patch and thread on the needle ready right now????

5555555555 tell birds not to fly

1 hour ago, ocddave said:

Best way is to end the money trail, shut off the money, and no one will follow these idiots anywhere.

yeah, refuse payments while looking down the barrel of an M16

Funny to see how the army has achieved what the junta could not: political consensus.

1 minute ago, sammieuk1 said:

Looking like a general election or the military version recoup when the guns come out sure he will have a new sew on patch and thread on the needle ready right now????

Coup de grace, 1st class The new badge is shown below:

(originally from the French 'cut the grass')

 

2 hours ago, z42 said:

Right and wrong.. Going by the picture posted with the story he looks like he doesn't know the difference between right and left ????

 

Seriously though, this guy if we are going to judge him by his words lately, seems a highly unhinged, dangerous character.

A coup under his watch appears almost guaranteed

And note who his father was, general Sunthorn, the leader of the coup which gunned down some 200 unarmed civilians, bodies whisked away never been seen again, 20 years later still nobody game enough to investigate where the bodies are.

 

 

Edited February 20, 20197 yr by scorecard

1 hour ago, nong38 said:

Take away their weapons so they cannot have another coup.

They have rigged the election to ensure a silent coup on March 24 and for next 20 years. 

6 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

They have rigged the election to ensure a silent coup on March 24 and for next 20 years. 

Isn't that somewhere you keep quiet chickens?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong had said on Monday that politicians who proposed to cut the defence budget should listen to the ultra-patriotic song,

Political bias by the army chief general should be considered a serious election violation by the Election Commission.

As his political declarations benefit NCPO Junta Chief Prayut's campaign as the next elected PM in the general election to be held in March 2019, the EC should consider disqualifying both Prayut's candidacy for PM and the openly pro-military Palang Pracharat Party that nominated him as a candidate for PM.

 

As in theory the Thai military must be politically neutral and does not operate as a democratic institution (rank & file soldiers don't get to vote for military leadership nor debate military orders), any political party that declares itself as pro-military should further be considered disqualified. Such was the case with the Thailand Communist Party that was disqualified from the general election because its ideology did not support democratic governance. The EC should be consistent with its election enforcement.

 

However, the likelihood that the EC will act truly independent of the Prayut regime is not reflected by its constant uncharacteristic "consultations" with the Prayut regime on previous EC matters. Furthermore, it is by the actions of the NCPO that the current EC membership exists and can be removed at any time without cause by Article 44 edict. The EC's ability to serve the Thai People in an independent capacity is limited. 

13 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Coup de grace, 1st class The new badge is shown below:

(originally from the French 'cut the grass')

 

Always mow with your turret covering your flank 

That's Thai mind out for side stabbers before they get your back????