Investing in Army is important, says Prayut

[sup3r1or]

Remember when I worked as a manager in high end restaurant in Thong Lor, when military big wigs reserved a place (200k), bought loads of expensive wine and whiskeys. Each had an escort model, while being dressed in LV clothes, some even had butlers. Smoking cigars, eating food while regular soldiers carried cases of wine up and down. Sure ITS WORTH INVESTING IN THE ARMY.

[scorecard]

4 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Bullshit at the highest order. As an army chief he should have his intelligence apparatus to know any immediate and imminent security threats and there are none except for the insurgency in the southern provinces that require professional trained soldiers; not conscripts. 

 

He should know as a General that the political and security contexts have changed from what it was in 1954 when the Military Service Act for conscription was promulgated. Conscription is not applicable in current context. 

 

 

 

Well now el, your so vocal, such strong comment. If your so serious about this how come your idols did nothing to reign in the military and it's spending? They had some 12 to 14 years to change this picture (and many other pictures, examples: education and police reform). They did nothing, totally nothing.

 

 

[Snow Leopard]

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

I believe compulsary conscription should be implemented in some western countries such as Australia & US,  even as a 6 month requirement.

The reason I say this is becuase I have always maintained that kids who have responsibility, respect, community involvement and who are kept busy .... they generally don't fall into bad habits, drug taking, criminal activity and the likes.

Australia has a high youth drug problem, crime, school brawling, waywould students etc ....

 

A one or two year compulsary conscription could be implemented and broken down :

6 months service to learn dicipline, respect and responsibility.

6 months community service with local government involvement.

6 months career path and job training for when they leave.

6 months higher studies and further job skill training.

 

The money that is currently being spent on social security and youth unemployment could be used for this.

If this type of senario had been implemented and actually up and running some years ago, Australia and other countries wouldn't have the big drug problems they are facing now.

 

I know some of you will say ' you can't implement that ' or ' that goes against basic human rights etc ....  well,  I'm just saying that it would go a long way to keeping kids off the street and stop them getting into trouble.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Thailand is already close and could implement something along these lines because they currently have conscription. Just need to modify it slightly. Male and Female.

 

They could even have a month-long course on teaching them how to drive properly. Along with another month on corruption, ethics and transparency. ????

[thaiguzzi]

6 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Well now el, your so vocal, such strong comment. If your so serious about this how come your idols did nothing to reign in the military and it's spending? They had some 12 to 14 years to change this picture (and many other pictures, examples: education and police reform). They did nothing, totally nothing.

 

 

You don't really know a lot about how this country works do you?

Admit it.

Nothing to ashamed about.

 

8 minutes ago, sup3r1or said:

Remember when I worked as a manager in high end restaurant in Thong Lor, when military big wigs reserved a place (200k), bought loads of expensive wine and whiskeys. Each had an escort model, while being dressed in LV clothes, some even had butlers. Smoking cigars, eating food while regular soldiers carried cases of wine up and down. Sure ITS WORTH INVESTING IN THE ARMY.

I have seen the exact same scenario in Vientienne, Laos, a few years ago.

I ended up somehow in a very very posh hotel which i would never find again if i tried, witnessing the exact same debauchery, but this time with Lao military generals.

[metisdead]

A post commenting on moderation has been removed. 

[Olmate]

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

I believe compulsary conscription should be implemented in some western countries such as Australia & US,  even as a 6 month requirement.

The reason I say this is becuase I have always maintained that kids who have responsibility, respect, community involvement and who are kept busy .... they generally don't fall into bad habits, drug taking, criminal activity and the likes.

Australia has a high youth drug problem, crime, school brawling, waywould students etc ....

 

A one or two year compulsary conscription could be implemented and broken down :

6 months service to learn dicipline, respect and responsibility.

6 months community service with local government involvement.

6 months career path and job training for when they leave.

6 months higher studies and further job skill training.

 

The money that is currently being spent on social security and youth unemployment could be used for this.

If this type of senario had been implemented and actually up and running some years ago, Australia and other countries wouldn't have the big drug problems they are facing now.

 

I know some of you will say ' you can't implement that ' or ' that goes against basic human rights etc ....  well,  I'm just saying that it would go a long way to keeping kids off the street and stop them getting into trouble.

Just my 2 cents worth.

So what actual military duty would they be performing, zero from your breakdown! Good idea but wrong department!

[tomacht8]

Investing in Army is important.
Sure.
13,5 Billions for one submarine

Against that, the retirement pensions for the normal population are a real bargain.
60-69 years 600 baht per month
70-79 years 700 baht per month
80-89 years 800 baht per month
from 90 years 1000 baht per month

 

Edited February 28, 2019 by tomacht8

[Snow Leopard]

Just a question.

 

Is there public information out there on actually how many people are in the military or extensions of it right now?

 

Army.

Navy.

Air Force.

Police and Immigration.

Fire Service.

Ambulance Service?

[akirasan]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"But I would like to emphasise that the conscripts running personal errands are very few in number,” he said, adding that the public should not associate scenes in TV soap operas with real life

 

[steven100]

42 minutes ago, sup3r1or said:

Remember when I worked as a manager in high end restaurant in Thong Lor, when military big wigs reserved a place (200k), bought loads of expensive wine and whiskeys. Each had an escort model, while being dressed in LV clothes, some even had butlers. Smoking cigars, eating food while regular soldiers carried cases of wine up and down. Sure ITS WORTH INVESTING IN THE ARMY.

and that never happens in the US or Russia ..... 

[Eric Loh]

49 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Well now el, your so vocal, such strong comment. If your so serious about this how come your idols did nothing to reign in the military and it's spending? They had some 12 to 14 years to change this picture (and many other pictures, examples: education and police reform). They did nothing, totally nothing.

 

 

That’s diversion at the highest order like the General. Fools seldom differ. 

[scorecard]

51 minutes ago, Snow Leopard said:

Thailand is already close and could implement something along these lines because they currently have conscription. Just need to modify it slightly. Male and Female.

 

They could even have a month-long course on teaching them how to drive properly. Along with another month on corruption, ethics and transparency. ????

Great points  --  captured audience  --  .

[scorecard]

51 minutes ago, thaiguzzi said:

You don't really know a lot about how this country works do you?

Admit it.

Nothing to ashamed about.

 

I have seen the exact same scenario in Vientienne, Laos, a few years ago.

I ended up somehow in a very very posh hotel which i would never find again if i tried, witnessing the exact same debauchery, but this time with Lao military generals.

"You don't really know a lot about how this country works do you?

Admit it.

Nothing to ashamed about."

 

Actually, after 30+ years of living here with a lot of professional, and social contact with Thais at every level I do know quite a lot about this country.

 

 

 

[rkidlad]

1 hour ago, The Old Bull said:

When I went to university they had just ended conscription. The guys that had done military service were the wildest and most drunken bastards . They totally lacked dicipline and respect.

Yeap. Coming from an army town I remember when soldiers would be allowed out at the weekend. There were fights galore. As the army camp downsized, the fights became fewer. 

 

Oh, and this army camp was for 'signals'. They were techies who did communication. One of the least aggressive regiments in the army. 

[peterpop]

4 hours ago, steven100 said:

I believe compulsary conscription should be implemented in some western countries such as Australia & US,  even as a 6 month requirement.

The reason I say this is becuase I have always maintained that kids who have responsibility, respect, community involvement and who are kept busy .... they generally don't fall into bad habits, drug taking, criminal activity and the likes.

Australia has a high youth drug problem, crime, school brawling, waywould students etc ....

 

A one or two year compulsary conscription could be implemented and broken down :

6 months service to learn dicipline, respect and responsibility.

6 months community service with local government involvement.

6 months career path and job training for when they leave.

6 months higher studies and further job skill training.

 

The money that is currently being spent on social security and youth unemployment could be used for this.

If this type of senario had been implemented and actually up and running some years ago, Australia and other countries wouldn't have the big drug problems they are facing now.

 

I know some of you will say ' you can't implement that ' or ' that goes against basic human rights etc ....  well,  I'm just saying that it would go a long way to keeping kids off the street and stop them getting into trouble.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

4 hours ago, steven100 said:

I believe compulsary conscription should be implemented in some western countries such as Australia & US,  even as a 6 month requirement.

The reason I say this is becuase I have always maintained that kids who have responsibility, respect, community involvement and who are kept busy .... they generally don't fall into bad habits, drug taking, criminal activity and the likes.

Australia has a high youth drug problem, crime, school brawling, waywould students etc ....

 

A one or two year compulsary conscription could be implemented and broken down :

6 months service to learn dicipline, respect and responsibility.

6 months community service with local government involvement.

6 months career path and job training for when they leave.

6 months higher studies and further job skill training.

 

The money that is currently being spent on social security and youth unemployment could be used for this.

If this type of senario had been implemented and actually up and running some years ago, Australia and other countries wouldn't have the big drug problems they are facing now.

 

I know some of you will say ' you can't implement that ' or ' that goes against basic human rights etc ....  well,  I'm just saying that it would go a long way to keeping kids off the street and stop them getting into trouble.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Yes all good intentions, but it does not make for a good Army, and in Thailand it makes an easy tool to use for political gain.  Take the kids off the streets and teach them some self respect and common sense by all means, but please leave the Australian and British Army to choose their own recruits.

[Crj1948]

Surly a well trained, realistically well equipped professional military loyal to the government has got to be a better option than what they have at present.

but..........there always has to be a but.

[trainman34014]

He's 'Thinking for the People'; is this part of his plan to 'Restore Happiness to the People'.....you know, the plan that we are still waiting for him to implement ?

[soalbundy]

On 2/28/2019 at 7:10 AM, TopDeadSenter said:

To survive in any way, the army needs reorganizing. Loyalty must be to the government. The past situation where the army is above the government led to a good few unscheduled changes of government, which sent investors running for the hills and Thailand's credibility plumming new depths. As they have repeatedly shown the armed forces couldn't organize a bun fight in a bakery, and worse do not eagerly accept criticism. 

 Investing in a "tame" army might be a good idea, but can we please leave plans for a submarine fleet on the shelf?

Loyalty to the constitution and answerable to a lawfully elected government as long as their orders are in line with that constitution. Loyalty to a government has already been tried in Nazi Germany, didn't turn out so well.

[DrTuner]

On 2/28/2019 at 6:20 AM, steven100 said:

I believe compulsary conscription should be implemented in some western countries such as Australia & US,  even as a 6 month requirement.

The reason I say this is becuase I have always maintained that kids who have responsibility, respect, community involvement and who are kept busy .... they generally don't fall into bad habits, drug taking, criminal activity and the likes.

Australia has a high youth drug problem, crime, school brawling, waywould students etc ....

 

A one or two year compulsary conscription could be implemented and broken down :

6 months service to learn dicipline, respect and responsibility.

6 months community service with local government involvement.

6 months career path and job training for when they leave.

6 months higher studies and further job skill training.

My country has compulsary conscription. Not every one needs a crash course in learning discipline, respect and responsibility, by the time they are 18 some are already quite mature. For them it's 6 months wasted. It's a bit of a blanket hardcore solution.

 

But I do agree some are still mentally in early teens and need the shock to the system to start the growing process. In Thailand probably 99.9%. Unfortunately the military here is about indoctrination, so the wrong place to teach youngsters about values. That should be done at home.

[Grossman]

Of course it's important for him. More more more generals to swear the watchman's creed.

 

This is my Rolex. There are many more like it but this one is my dead friend's.

My Rolex is my friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master the trough.

Without me, my Rolex is useless. Without my Rolex, I'm left with Patek Philippe. I must wind my Rolex true. I must have more bling than my enemy who is trying to out-trough me. I must shoot him before he does. I will.

 

Before ****, I swear this creed. My Rolex and myself are the defenders of the trough. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviours of the 1%.

 

So be it, until there is no enemy, but only us at the trough. Mai Pen Rai.

 

[billd766]

On 2/28/2019 at 8:54 AM, bluesofa said:

That's not correct. It was longer than that.

The last invasion of Thailand was by the Japanese in 1941, the Thai army fought against them for five hours.

You forgot to mention WHY they stopped fighting.

 

The answer to that is that they were ordered to do by the government.

 

On 2/28/2019 at 9:04 AM, lvr181 said:

That long? Unbelievable. Tokenism at its best. ????

 

 

 

[DrTuner]

On 2/28/2019 at 11:15 AM, rkidlad said:

They were techies who did communication. One of the least aggressive regiments in the army. 

Nerds are know to have insanely good parties. Usually they go way over the top, a good brawl is just hors d'oeuvre.

[billd766]

Actually I agree with Prayuth that investing in the Army is important.

 

The difference between us is that he wants more manpower, more tanks, submarines and aircraft with a by product of more generals.

 

My thoughts are

1.   First cut the generals down to about 200.

2.   Cancel conscription completely

3.   Cut the Army down to perhaps 150,000. That is still twice the size of the UK Army who are ALL professionals. (conscription ended in the UK in November 1960 and the last national service man left in May 1963).

4.   Use the money saved to pay the new rates and that to the lower ranks only.

5.   Provide ALL servicemen and women with extra education and good trade training skills for their future after service life.

6.   Make the length of service in 5 or 6 year increments.

[Eric Loh]

On 2/28/2019 at 3:47 AM, webfact said:

Thailand recruits some 100,000 conscripts yearly for its military operations as support for soldiers who have joined the military voluntarily.

Thailand may have 100,000 conscripts yearly but just how many are military reservists. There are vast difference in the role of conscripts and reservists. Singapore has 35,000 conscripts every year and almost 1 million reservists who can be activated and join their units in less than a day. Thailand has no such system. Conscripts contribute very little in supporting the military except for being servants and gardeners for the senior officers. 

[Mavideol]

maybe is knows something that we don't know and he's warning us..... war or invasion is coming, invest in the army and by all equipment from China

[JAG]

4 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Thailand may have 100,000 conscripts yearly but just how many are military reservists. There are vast difference in the role of conscripts and reservists. Singapore has 35,000 conscripts every year and almost 1 million reservists who can be activated and join their units in less than a day. Thailand has no such system. Conscripts contribute very little in supporting the military except for being servants and gardeners for the senior officers. 

Thailand has shedloads of reservists - all those schoolboys who do Army Cadets in M4 to M6 (to avoid the call up) are actually on the reserve for years - to age 40 I think! So are all the conscripts.

 

Of course, they have no weapons, kit, organisation for them, continuation training or system for calling them up...

[lvr181]

17 hours ago, billd766 said:

You forgot to mention WHY they stopped fighting.

 

The answer to that is that they were ordered to do by the government.

 

 

 

 

Valid point. Guess that fits in well with their 'claims' of "Thailand" (not Siam) never being colonised by another country. Although they did have large 'chunks' taken off them by some world powers and were given a little in the southern provinces. 

 

But I do wonder who is threatening them now? Just posturing for the financial benefits of some, IMHO.

[bluesofa]

37 minutes ago, lvr181 said:

18 hours ago, billd766 said:

You forgot to mention WHY they stopped fighting.

The answer to that is that they were ordered to do by the government.

Valid point. Guess that fits in well with their 'claims' of "Thailand" (not Siam) never being colonised by another country. Although they did have large 'chunks' taken off them by some world powers and were given a little in the southern provinces. 

But I do wonder who is threatening them now? Just posturing for the financial benefits of some, IMHO.

I'd agree with the claim of not being colonised.

As the poster who originally said they fought for five hours, yes they were effectively ordered to surrender at the first opportunity then collaborated with the Japanese, which assists in avoiding that claim.

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, lvr181 said:

But I do wonder who is threatening them now?

Internal divisions as always.

The Laos ethnic group would like to split from BK, The  Muslim south would like to split from BK.

Thailand is actually 3 countries ruled by the military from Bangkok.

They need the army to threaten their own citizens into compliance.

Edited March 2, 2019 by BritManToo