Picture courtesy: Siam Rath

 

On 10th December, former Nakhon Si Thammarat MP, Thepthai Senpong, voiced on Facebook that no law can deter military coups in Thailand, addressing recent debates sparked by the proposed Ministry of Defence Reorganisation Bill.

 

The bill, initiated by Pheu Thai Party's List MP, Prayuth Siripanich, and others, aims to grant the Cabinet authority to appoint high-ranking military officials to allegedly prevent coups. However, it has faced widespread criticism, including opposition from the coalition party, Bhumjaithai.

 

Thepthai, drawing on his political experience, argues the bill is more about political scoring with hardcore groups than effective governance, noting that past coups have gone unprevented by any legal measures. Despite 13 coups in Thai history, coup leaders often discard constitutions and laws post-coup to establish control.

He cautions that political interference in military appointments could provoke resistance from within the military and destabilise national security, citing historical precedents like the 1991 coup.

 

Thepthai suggests the best defence against coups is corruption-free governance, as political corruption often provides the pretext for military intervention, illustrated by past coups against governments led by Chatichai Choonhavan and Thaksin Shinawatra.

 

He warns that entrenched political corruption, with parties spending vast sums on vote-buying, perpetuates a destructive cycle, leading to corruption in governance and inviting coups as political "solutions." This results in a toxic cycle influenced by both military and political misconduct. reported Siam Rath.

 

-- 2024-12-10

 

 

This is like saying laws against robbing  banks will stop all bank robbery.....

 

File this under "Statements of the obvious"

However publicly executing ALL officers from the generals who called the coup down to the rank of major may well do a lot towards an incentive against military coups.

 

Since 1932 no military officer has ever been punished for the act of treason, which is what a military coup is.

He is correct.....by their very nature coups ride roughshod over any laws in place.....it's in the nature of the beast.

 

What the law should ensure is the death penalty for the instigators.

"The bill, initiated by Pheu Thai Party"...initiated by Takky, he's calling the shots and shaping Thailand in his favor again.