Laundrygate: Defence Ministry of Thailand digs into laundry scandal

[webfact]

 

The Ministry of Defence launched an investigation in response to a viral video alleging a soldier was compelled to wash his commander’s wife’s underwear.

 

Rear Admiral Thanitpong Sirisawetsak, the ministry’s spokesperson, emphasised the urgency of the probe, aiming to confirm the authenticity of the footage and the identity of the purported soldier.

 

The 51-second clip, circulated over the weekend, purportedly features a soldier recounting his duty to launder and neatly fold the undergarments of his superior and the superior’s spouse.

Rear Admiral Thanitpong cautioned against premature conclusions, suggesting the video might be fabricated to tarnish the reputation of Thai soldiers, particularly with mandatory military conscription looming. He vehemently asserted the Defence Ministry’s respect for soldiers’ dignity, denouncing the notion of assigning such inappropriate tasks.

Seeking public cooperation, Thanitpong urged individuals to come forward with additional information, pledging severe repercussions for any implicated parties.

 

Instances of senior officers delegating menial chores to their subordinates, predominantly conscripts, are not uncommon. Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, chairperson of the House Committee on Army Affairs, disclosed his investigation traced the video’s origins to 2021. He highlighted that regulations permitting senior officers to have servants had been rescinded since then, reported The Nation.

 

Wiroj pledged continued vigilance over the issue, underscoring the MFP’s call for sweeping reforms within the military, including the abolition of compulsory military service for Thai men aged 21 and older, with exceptions for those having undergone Territorial Defence training.

 

In related news, National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol issued a stern order to all police officers, commanding them to refrain from divulging any information to the press that could tarnish the image or operational integrity of the Royal Thai Police.

 

Moreover, officers have been explicitly warned against actions that could potentially serve their interests, sparking a firestorm of speculation and intrigue.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-03-12

 

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[bamnutsak]

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

a soldier was compelled to wash his commander’s wife’s underwear.

 

On the plus side, the General didn't ask the lad to wear his wife's underwear, as far as we know.

 

 

[dinsdale]

One of his young giks maybe but not the missus. This is over and above the call of duty.

[JoePai]

that could tarnish the image or operational integrity of the Royal Thai Police    

[worgeordie]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

was compelled to wash his commander’s wife’s underwear.

Some people would pay to do that !, I would have thought the commander's wife

would be too embarrassed to let that happen ,but no ,

 

regards worgeordie

[Mr Meeseeks]

They act like naughty little children in adult bodies. 

[kingstonkid]

Imagine if they actually taught discipline . It makes more sense to have a boot camp then after aptitude test teach them a trade like cook driver mechanic a skill they can use.

[Sydebolle]

Anyone remember the "Magnolia" hotel at the Mabprachan Lake east of Pattaya?

This place was run by cadets in navy uniform for years and the owner was, co-incidentially, a bigwig in the ...... yes, the navy. 

Too many private businesses are run with the free-of-charge-manpower of the defense forces, be it army or police and, unlike the private industry, those labourers cannot resign nor complain! 

[spidermike007]

We have already made premature conclusions and have decided that all branches of the Armed Forces in Thailand are corrupt beyond the reaches of the average person's imagination. So for us to think in terms of commanding officers asking their underlings to do special favors my guess is that this is a daily occurrence.

 

What they really need to investigate is where the hundreds of billions of baht are going each year with regard to the army, the navy and the air force. They are likely as corrupt as the RTP, Immigration and Customs. 

[zhounan]

Investigations are never really deep, otherwise the footprints of institutions and officials would also come up into light.

 

So  it's just the ordinary patch to justify their salaries to public opinion.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

One of his young giks maybe but not the missus. This is over and above the call of duty.

Nothing to see here, move along quickly please.

[Andycoops]

Another neanderthal practice that will continue unabated as they are a law unto themselves.

 

As for the BiB bit at the end, their image is already in tatters and can't be repaired, trying to stop people speaking out, as a whistle blower, only proves their corrupt practices are flourishing as usual.

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

They are likely as corrupt as the RTP, Immigration and Customs.

They are likely as corrupt as the RTP, Immigration and Customs.

[Korat Kiwi]

The young soldier/recruit may have liked washing the missus smalls....

 

Unless they were not smalls but extra-large