The newly appointed Defence Minister, Sutin Klungsang, is in the spotlight as he is expected to navigate through various challenges within the military while maintaining stability within the Pheu Thai-led coalition government.

 

As the first civilian to take the defence minister position without also holding the role of the prime minister, Sutin is expected to manage military reform, the southern unrest and the military’s relations with other regional countries.

 

The appointment of a civilian to oversee military affairs has been evaluated as an attempt by the Pheu Thai-led government’s de facto leader, the imprisoned former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to mitigate the military’s potential threat to the government and to stave off any future coups. Thaksin’s administration was overthrown in a military coup on September 19, 2006, and his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government faced a similar fate on May 22, 2014.

 

Thaksin, sceptical of the military due to his past experience, is said to be promoting civilian oversight of the armed forces and aiming to reduce the influence of the three brothers in arms, referring to former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, and former Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda.

 

by Mitch Connor

TOP: Thailand's Defense Minister Sutin Klangsang arrives at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Sept. 5. Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday led his cabinet members to take oath in front of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/civilian-defence-minister-to-navigate-thai-military-reforms-amid-coalition-challenges

 

-- The Thaiger 2023-09-11

 

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2 hours ago, webfact said:

As the first civilian to take the defence minister position without also holding the role of the prime minister, Sutin is expected to manage military reform, the southern unrest and the military’s relations with other regional countries

And he is utterly clueless.

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

And he is utterly clueless.

Not so, if his comments on the future of the Chinese subs are anything to go by.

Just F 99% of the generals off and forced conscription will not be needed.

18 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Not so, if his comments on the future of the Chinese subs are anything to go by.

Waiting for the back-flip