Pheu Thai MP supports closure of Internal Security Operations Command

[snoop1130]

 

A senior Pheu Thai MP has voiced support for a bill, proposed by the Move Forward party, calling for the dissolution of Thailand’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).

 

Adisorn Piengkes, government whip chief, posted on his X account, @adisornpk, today (Monday) that ISOC is a state within state and, because of it, the army can intervene and has a superior role over other government officials.

 

“ISOC should be dissolved,” he wrote.

 

Caption: Thai military personnel guards convenience stores damaged after an attack, in Cho-airong district in southern Thailand’s Narathiwat province, on August 17, 2022. (Photo by Madaree Tohlala / AFP)

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-30

 

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[dinsdale]

Not sure what it is but the less power the military has in internal affairs the better.

[Gulfsailor]

11 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Not sure what it is but the less power the military has in internal affairs the better.

ISOC appoints the senate, so have enormous power. 

[bamnutsak]

11 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Not sure what it is but the less power the military has in internal affairs the better.

Internal Security Operations Center, nee Communist Suppression Operations Command.

 

The internal security apparatus of the Royal Thai Army. Used for political purposes entirely. They claim to no longer assassinate people, but they have lapsed. Just can't quit those 55-gallon drums.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Security_Operations_Command

 

 

[jaywalker2]

Easier said that done. And there have been a few assassinations and disappearances in recent years, including that guy who was disappeared in Cambodia. Also a few beatihngs of dissidents in public.

 

Not that I'm pointing any fingers.

[kingstonkid]

Isoc is justified because of the south.  Seems the military could handle things better.  

 

Internal security is a problem for all countries due to politicalization.

Everything in every country is run on politics.

As much as we are in a new world. The military is still in it's leadership a highly political beast.

 

Promotion are not based on what you have done but on who you are and will you toe the line.

[Mavideol]

12 hours ago, Gulfsailor said:

ISOC appoints the senate, so have enormous power. 

a state within the state, lot's of powerful "friends"......better dissolve it before the new senators take seat next year

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

Isoc is justified because of the south.  Seems the military could handle things better.  

for a better understanding of what "Internal Security" actually means here:

 

At the same time, in 2015, the NCPO began seeking to build popular support by
injecting development funds into localities — mimicking populist political parties that it had
banned. These NCPO-initiated welfare projects — called Pracha Rat (“State Populism”) —
included state lending through village funds and a welfare card programme for the poor which
also benefited big businesses supportive of the junta. The design and delivery of these projects
were coordinated by the Thai military’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) which
mobilised support for the programme in province after province. In 2017, Prime Minister
Prayut invoked his powers under Section 44 of the NCPO’s 2014 interim constitution to
establish an ISOC Internal Security Administrative “Superboard”, with the ostensible objective
of addressing broad domestic security threats. The Superboard operated at three levels, with
Prime Minister Prayut and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit responsible at the national level, the
four regional Army commanders directing the four regional committee levels, and provincial
governors (who have always been influential in helping parties to elect candidates) heading up
provincial committees. Governors were appointed by the Minister of the Interior, who has
since 2014 been General Anupong Paochinda, a close chum of Prayut and Prawit and himself
a powerful voice inside Phalang Pracharat. The 2017 Order also centralised police and Interior
officials and public prosecutors under Army-dominated ISOC control. ISOC had access to
5,000-6000 staff as well as 500,000-600,000 internal security personnel to help implement the
objectives of the order. Through the use of this superboard and with some seed money, ISOC
moved to fulfill a major “security” objective — creating a junta party which would win the
next election.

 

Excerpt from 2021/29 “Thailand’s Elected Junta: The Pluralistic Poverty of Phalang Pracharat” by Paul Chambers

the whole thing is a good read, btw

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Adisorn Piengkes, government whip chief, posted on his X account, @adisornpk, today (Monday) that ISOC is a state within state and, because of it, the army can intervene and has a superior role over other government officials.

 

“ISOC should be dissolved,” he wrote

I hope he enjoys his retirement... 

[kiwikeith]

16 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Not sure what it is but the less power the military has in internal affairs the better.

To me it sounds like move forward have struck a little side deal to reduce military influence, they didn't lie down for nothing, and this gives them more face, go MFP. 

[candide]

It will be interesting to see wether they are able to impose it to the army or not. A good indicator of the current power balance.