A Royal Thai Army and U.S. Army soldier take part in joint exercises at Camp Nimman Kolayut, Thailand, Jan. 30, 2019
Credit: Flickr/ U.S. Department of Defense Current Photos

By Prashanth Parameswaran

The effort marks just the latest in a series of unsuccessful efforts to reduce the country’s bloated and top-heavy officer corps.

Late last month, Thailand’s military announced that it would begin cutting the number of high-ranking officers in its forces. Though the move itself is far from surprising and is in line with previously unsuccessful efforts in this area, it nonetheless spotlights ongoing efforts to address a longstanding concern in the Southeast Asian state.

While Thailand’s military often comes under the most scrutiny for its involvement in politics, that also conceals a series of other concerns that occasionally make the headlines including in its involvement in business as well as its internal recruitment practices.

Among these is its bloated, top-heavy nature, with an estimated 1,400 generals across its services and related bureaucracies for about 361,000 active personnel by one count. Previous efforts to address this issue, including cuts to the number of generals serving as experts and changes to the promotion system in the 2000s, have subsequently not been followed through on.

Full story: https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/thailands-military-personnel-challenge-in-the-spotlight-with-slimming-plan/

-- © Copyright THE DIPLOMAT 2021-03-17

 

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There are two generals to many in the so called elected government ready for immediate transfer to Switzerland when the brown stuff hits the fan ????

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The effort marks just the latest in a series of unsuccessful efforts to reduce the country’s bloated and top-heavy officer corps.

'top-heavy officer corps'    I always thought it was due to their big heads.

13 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

'top-heavy officer corps'    I always thought it was due to their big heads.

Which head though?

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

While Thailand’s military often comes under the most scrutiny for its involvement in politics, that also conceals a series of other concerns that occasionally make the headlines including in its involvement in business as well as its internal recruitment practices.

politics, business, human rights abuses; everything EXCEPT military issues

Thailads Generals are prospective Politicians under a military takeover they can't lower the gene pool of candidates ! 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Among these is its bloated, top-heavy nature, with an estimated 1,400 generals across its services and related bureaucracies for about 361,000 active personnel by one count. Previous efforts to address this issue, including cuts to the number of generals serving as experts and changes to the promotion system in the 2000s, have subsequently not been followed through on.

I laughed so hard I nearly followed through... a micron from touching cloth !

4 hours ago, webfact said:

a series of unsuccessful efforts to reduce the country’s bloated and top-heavy officer corps.

Thailand is a Boys' Club run by and for the armed forces; these lets-pretend soldiers will never allow anything to curb their power; they have all the guns and are busy stockpiling more weapons for use on their own people.

59 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Thailand is a Boys' Club run by and for the armed forces; these lets-pretend soldiers will never allow anything to curb their power; they have all the guns and are busy stockpiling more weapons for use on their own people.

And upon reading a report in a Bangkok Newspaper this Morning, there could possibly be even more Weapons in the Country ( for Maintenance and Repair ) from their Big Brother in the North.

Eliminate the mandatory conscription and officers will follow. Simple.

3 hours ago, mikebell said:

Thailand is a Boys' Club run by and for the armed forces; these lets-pretend soldiers will never allow anything to curb their power; they have all the guns and are busy stockpiling more weapons for use on their own people.

...a boys' club ... and a family dynasties club.

There's enormous glory (as they see it) to have a grandfather, a father, a few brothers, sons and nephews amongst the officer ranks and even more so if there's a number of them who are generals.

Most recent military chief and his father an example.

Denying the dynasties the opportunity to get many family members up to general level rank won't happen, they won't allow it to happen.