Unveiling Thai Military's Complex Business Interests

[webfact]

 

The Thai military has an intricate network of business dealings that remain largely unexplored. From gas stations to golf courses, the Armed Forces' interests have taken root in various sectors.

 

These findings emerge amidst initiatives by the House of Representatives to disentangle the military from these commercial activities, to prevent corruption and maintain focus on national defense.

 

The Thai public got an unsettling insight into the military's commercial world in 2020, when an incident involving a corrupted business deal sparked a deadly shooting spree by a junior army officer.

 

This incident led to a push for regulation, resulting in a memorandum of understanding signed by Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong defining the types of military businesses required to share revenue with the Treasury Department.

 

Three primary categories for military enterprises emerged: internal welfare, general business, and special businesses - the latter involving offbeat ventures such as boxing stadiums and lavish resorts. Clear criteria for business categorisation remain elusive, with significant ambiguity surrounding rental fees from private businesses operating on military land.

 

Despite signing the 2020 memorandum, only a fraction of the Army's businesses fulfilled their duty to pay rent to the Treasury Department. Disputes have arisen at the House's ad hoc panel on shifting military enterprises to civilian control, with Armed Forces representatives insisting that their interests are not commercial but welfare-based.

 

Military engagement in business is not regulated by law in Thailand - a legacy of a prohibition from a military junta in 1976. Still, the Defense Ministry's jurisdiction indicates over 30 military agencies own shares in several companies, purportedly using dividends for extra income.

 

From banks to airlines and tech companies, these shareholdings show the vast scope of the military's commercial interests. The business interests are so entrenched even army-run television networks, navy metro systems, and military-linked insurance companies are a part of the vast network.

 

TOP: File photo for reference only.

 

-- 2024-04-30

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[mfd101]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

"significant ambiguity"

Ah yes, the modus operandi of everyone who's anyone in Thailand.

Edited April 30 by mfd101

[dinsdale]

Delete the word military and insert the word generals and this article becomes much more accurate. Corrupt to the core.

[Tropicalevo]

59 minutes ago, webfact said:

Military engagement in business is not regulated by law in Thailand - a legacy of a prohibition from a military junta in 1976.

And that is why the 'military' will never give up their power in Thailand.

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Three primary categories for military enterprises emerged: internal welfare, general business, and special businesses - the latter involving offbeat ventures such as boxing stadiums and lavish resorts. Clear criteria for business categorisation remain elusive, with significant ambiguity surrounding rental fees from private businesses operating on military land.

Off beat ventures ? Any business run by the military is ' Off Beat' including their own TV station,  they are allowed but Pita gets in trouble for a defunct one. And who owns U-tapao airport ?

[ChipButty]

OK they are the legal ones, what about the illegal ones? 

[spidermike007]

And those are the legal business interests, we really don't know the extent of the illegal business interests that these generals are involved in. Drug running, human trafficking, prostitution, gambling, etc. The list likely goes on and on. The Thai army is not exactly a paragon of integrity, and there is no question about the fact that they're not sufficiently policed! 

[john donson]

if the army and government is paid by tax payer, the army should not be allowed to have private property and profits from them... but hey... TIT

[mfd101]

Most of the 700 or 800 'generals' have the military competence of the average AN reader.

 

The government could make a start on fixing its budget worries by removing them from the Army list, stopping their pensions and taxing their business earnings.

[rovinman]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

And those are the legal business interests, we really don't know the extent of the illegal business interests that these generals are involved in. Drug running, human trafficking, prostitution, gambling, etc. The list likely goes on and on. The Thai army is not exactly a paragon of integrity, and there is no question about the fact that they're not sufficiently policed! 

 

For a full expose, I suggest you read "Bangkok 8"" by John Burdett, plus his follow up books  !

[Pouatchee]

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

Most of the 700 or 800 'generals' have the military competence of the average AN reader.

 

speaking for yourself?

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

purportedly using dividends for extra income.

Make that tax-free income. Such income should be deducted from the military's budget by the House.

 

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The list likely goes on and on

There might also be Thailand natural resources that over the decades have been part of land granted to the military, ie., allegefly for military maneuvers. Such could include embedded timber, coal, minerals, etc. Whose income should belong to the Thai people.

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, rovinman said:

 

For a full expose, I suggest you read "Bangkok 8"" by John Burdett, plus his follow up books  !

I have, he's a very good writer, unfortunately it's fiction though it's probably closer to reality than one would presume. I would really like to see a true expose, but then again since there's no investigative journalism being done in Thailand, that's not going to happen. 

[sherwood]

These rorts should cease forthwith.

 

[0ffshore360]

Oliver North inspiration ? Look for the  commanding occifer !

[Rampant Rabbit]

5 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Most of the 700 or 800 'generals' have the military competence of the average AN reader.

Steady on!😵

[kwilco]

15 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Corrupt to the core.

you own words - it's the entire military.

[kwilco]

The Thai military includes over 1,700 flag officers (generals and admirals), equating to about one general for every 212 troops. This is one of the highest in the world. But there are also many generals "without portfolio" just pottering around with time on their hands - they aren't going to go quietly when they have businesses to run......

[mikebell]

21 hours ago, brianthainess said:

And who owns U-tapao airport ?

I thought it was the Navy.  They ban you from taking photos of landing & taking off in case they reveal classified information.  Those making this edict have never heard of Google Maps or Google Earth!

[Gsxrnz]

I recall visiting a Moo Bahn under construction. The wife had a friend that worked in the office. I had the pleasure of meeting two senior army officers who were managing the show, and viewed multiple vehicles and construction equipment that were painted green. Most of the numpties working on the site were wearing camo pants as de rigueur.

 

Didn't see any tanks, but I suppose all the green trucks with the bench seats under canvas  ferried the draftees from barracks to work.

 

Got offered a good cash discount, but I got the impression the nice army officer was actually trying to do a side deal on his business partners.

 

TIT

[brianthainess]

23 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Most of the 700 or 800 'generals' have the military competence of the average AN reader.

What All 800 generals have the competence of One AN member ? I'll go along with that. 

[liddelljohn]

most of the Road Construction companies are owned By generals  and they often use military equipment  as well ,,,

[kwilco]

8 hours ago, mikebell said:

I thought it was the Navy.  They ban you from taking photos of landing & taking off in case they reveal classified information.  Those making this edict have never heard of Google Maps or Google Earth!

It is shared between the Navy and civilian Airlines. It was built by the US for B52s to bomb Vietnam and Laos.

[kwilco]

the military own banks, they own most of the TV stations and other media.

THey were responsible for huge logging operations in the 1970s to 80s.

You will find many hotels owed by military personnel.

Often encroachment in National Parks is by businesses with military in charge.

There are "Welfare Businesses": These are allegedly to cater to military personnel and their families. E.G. boxing stadiums, convenience stores , and housing projects.

then "General Businesses" (ironically named?) - These operate in the open/civilian market, gas stations, retail shops on "military land", and they rent out land for commercial purposes.

Other fields like tourism are also operated in -   golf courses, hotels, and resorts, all managed by the military