Military Robbing Country Blind

[UncleFrank]

After the coup, the military budget went up dramatically from 85 Billion Baht to Bt167 billion in 2009.

Now, who's been robbing the country blind? Thaksin?

Why don't we see these reports in The Nation newspaper I wonder?

[londonthai]

everybody knows the military budget - it's approved by the parliament.

they argue, that the military was underfunded for years and now is taking back.

the military has tv and radio stations, a large bank - it's a country within a country, above the law.

one can have a hope, that the thai social order will change dramatically within the next few years

[cmsally]

More info. on that here:

Democrats and the Military

After the coup, the military budget went up dramatically from 85 Billion Baht to Bt167 billion in 2009. In addition, the budget for internal security also soared from Bt77 billion to Bt114 billion over the same period (source) – also see one of my posts from last year on this issue here.

Matichon reports that the military is requesting more money and is testing Suthep with all 3 branches of the military putting in requests for money for the 2010 budget year. The Navy wants boats, the air force wants 6 more Grippens etc.

See link above for full article

[KhaoNiaw]

After the coup, the military budget went up dramatically from 85 Billion Baht to Bt167 billion in 2009.

Now, who's been robbing the country blind? Thaksin?

Why don't we see these reports in The Nation newspaper I wonder?

The military too. Thaksin too.

[Plus]

During Thaksin years military budget was way below regional average. Besides, the country had to pay for the coup one way or another if it couldn't manage itself democratically. The army bailed it out and presented a bill. At least the bill sounds legitimate.

Overall men in green did a good job.

[Gravelrash]

It is payback time, the military handed government to the Democrats, time to pay the piper. Some people still seem to suffer under a delusion about who really runs the country.

Taksin's actual criminal acts were done with the collusion of the military, hence why he was was never brought to account for them. So they pumped up the corruption angle instead, all the sheep took that line on board. Seems his real crime was challenging their covert control.

So now the current government seems to be having almost weekly corruption scandals, why no outrage from PAD? After all weren't they about stopping corruption? Yeah right. At any rate it is all just back to business as usual.

[JacknDanny]

After the coup, the military budget went up dramatically from 85 Billion Baht to Bt167 billion in 2009.

Now, who's been robbing the country blind? Thaksin?

Why don't we see these reports in The Nation newspaper I wonder?

All that proves is what a t#sser Thaksin was, and how underfunded the army was.

Remember, that in the South of Thailand, its like a war zone in certain places. Soldiers being killed and maimed on a regular basis.

Yet under Thaksins watch, the budget he allocated to the military was LESS than the budget allocated to the military in Switzerland, the most neutral country in the world with zero internal conflicts, and only a tadge higher than what Ireland spends

Now its just catching up. Even with this latest increase Thailand is still way behind what Singapore spends on its military!!

Troubles in the South and always potential threats from east and west, it is money well intentioned.

Stop trying to rake up s#it that isnt there.

[Gerontion]

During Thaksin years military budget was way below regional average.

You mean, like in Burma? Well, I suppose everyone has to keep up with the Joneses, however odious they may be.

Besides, the country had to pay for the coup one way or another if it couldn't manage itself democratically.

Ah, I see. It's the people's fault for electing the wrong government. Idiots, eh? Don't they know that democracy means you can gave any government you like, as long as it's green. Time to send the people back to Fascism 101 for basic indoctrination.

Overall men in green did a good job of looking after their own interests.

I've taken the liberty of correcting that for you. No, really, it's no trouble.

[geriatrickid]

Below the regional average? Does it matter? Were you anticipating an invasion? Why does the military need more weapons? Haven't enough weapons ended up in the hands of gangsters and the weapons black market? Are you saying that regional devolopment, health care and education should have their budgets slashed?

Well at least this demonstrates why the MoH has been out in front with its pronouncements of a health crisis brewing.

Oh wait. No worries. They can use the new bullets and tanks to take care of the ill.

Thailand needs proper police training and a professional military not a bigger budget. The military is inept at controlling the south. What good will new tanks be down there? Does the military really need new perks, officer clubs and private aircraft to go on jaunts?

Edited February 11, 2009 by geriatrickid

[Gerontion]

After the coup, the military budget went up dramatically from 85 Billion Baht to Bt167 billion in 2009.

Now, who's been robbing the country blind? Thaksin?

Why don't we see these reports in The Nation newspaper I wonder?

All that proves is what a t#sser Thaksin was, and how underfunded the army was.

Remember, that in the South of Thailand, its like a war zone in certain places. Soldiers being killed and maimed on a regular basis.

Yet under Thaksins watch, the budget he allocated to the military was LESS than the budget allocated to the military in Switzerland, the most neutral country in the world with zero internal conflicts, and only a tadge higher than what Ireland spends

Now its just catching up. Even with this latest increase Thailand is still way behind what Singapore spends on its military!!

Troubles in the South and always potential threats from east and west, it is money well intentioned.

Stop trying to rake up s#it that isnt there.

A quick Google search reveals that the Irish budget for 2007 was 54 billion Euros and that for Thailand in 2008 the budget was 1.85 trillion Baht; the Irish budget is a good third bigger than the Thai so Thailand was, by your own admission, already out-spending them by a large margin. As for the Swiss, as everyone knows, they have a fairly unique arrangement for defence so comparisons there are not valid.

[Heng]

With exceptions of areas with Thai Chinese generals/admirals, etc. the military keeps to a rent/tax collector type role as opposed to a hands on one in business... leaving most of that to the general public. It's not surprising that so many top Army, Navy, Air Force folks spend their days drinking themselves to death... no doubt trying to escape the reality (not unlike those at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum) that despite their power, they don't really know how to do anything productive.

It's a perfectly acceptable balance.

[desertrat]

With exceptions of areas with Thai Chinese generals/admirals, etc. the military keeps to a rent/tax collector type role as opposed to a hands on one in business... leaving most of that to the general public. It's not surprising that so many top Army, Navy, Air Force folks spend their days drinking themselves to death... no doubt trying to escape the reality (not unlike those at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum) that despite their power, they don't really know how to do anything productive.

It's a perfectly acceptable balance.

You are so right, I've often wondered what they do with all the billions, No Ocean Racing, No Round the World Flights, No Assaults on Everest, No Ballooning, No Anything...No Imagination ?

Do they give it all to Charity ?

[Scott]

Military Robbing the Country Blind...."none are as blind as those who will not see."

[dave9988]

With exceptions of areas with Thai Chinese generals/admirals, etc. the military keeps to a rent/tax collector type role as opposed to a hands on one in business... leaving most of that to the general public. It's not surprising that so many top Army, Navy, Air Force folks spend their days drinking themselves to death... no doubt trying to escape the reality (not unlike those at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum) that despite their power, they don't really know how to do anything productive.

It's a perfectly acceptable balance.

Well, Thailand's future is hardly written in stone. Maybe they will wake up soon and realize that those who have the guns, really do have the power. Perhaps they have been fooling everyone all along and are just waiting for the right moment to strengthen their position in Thai society, permanently. Various power groups constant rely on the military to be the dumb guy you can manipulate to do what you want is quite dangerous in this regard. Its like letting a mentally handicapped child guard your safe, on the assumption that he will never memorize the combination, or put his gun to your head and make you open it.

[Ricardo]

After the coup, the military budget went up dramatically from 85 Billion Baht to Bt167 billion in 2009.

Now, who's been robbing the country blind? Thaksin?

Why don't we see these reports in The Nation newspaper I wonder?

The military too. Thaksin too.

The idea that the military should be involved in running businesses, ranks alongside the idea that government's role or expertise is to run businesses, and therefore requires a domineering accept-no-criticism 'CEO-type', to take charge.

Corruption in military spending, or other government spending, is equally wrong, and deserves to be exposed.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Better for the military to get it than the bankers.

[dave9988]

"THE BIG WINNER from the political chaos of the last three years has been the Thai military. Possibly, the generals are now more powerful than at any time over the past twenty years. Under coup rule, they might seem more powerful but in truth are a little limited by being fully exposed. In present circumstances, they have a discrete cover. It is hard to recall the last change of government when the army chief played such a prominent role. The publicity-shy General Anupong has a higher profile in day-to-day news than his publicity-hogging predecessor General Sonthi a year ago."

http://nationmultimedia.com/2009/02/02/opi...on_30094723.php

Under the Constitution, the monarch is the head of the armed forces. The working relationship between the executive and military has always been a matter of delicate negotiation. After 1992, the pendulum seemed to be swinging away from the generals. Parliament demanded more transparency in the budget. Chuan and Samak disrupted the "convention" that the defence minister should be a military man. Thaksin exerted influence on promotions. Now the pendulum has swung firmly back. The military is more a power unto itself. The prime minister seems to be a spokesman defending the military against accusations of abuse.

Edited February 11, 2009 by dave9988

[Heng]

With exceptions of areas with Thai Chinese generals/admirals, etc. the military keeps to a rent/tax collector type role as opposed to a hands on one in business... leaving most of that to the general public. It's not surprising that so many top Army, Navy, Air Force folks spend their days drinking themselves to death... no doubt trying to escape the reality (not unlike those at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum) that despite their power, they don't really know how to do anything productive.

It's a perfectly acceptable balance.

You are so right, I've often wondered what they do with all the billions, No Ocean Racing, No Round the World Flights, No Assaults on Everest, No Ballooning, No Anything...No Imagination ?

Do they give it all to Charity ?

Like many less than creative males on the planet.... sometimes a few big houses, a few cars (it's amazing how many buy the same S500 though... just different model year), and endless drinking, screwing, and eating whatever they want is enough.

[Heng]

With exceptions of areas with Thai Chinese generals/admirals, etc. the military keeps to a rent/tax collector type role as opposed to a hands on one in business... leaving most of that to the general public. It's not surprising that so many top Army, Navy, Air Force folks spend their days drinking themselves to death... no doubt trying to escape the reality (not unlike those at the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum) that despite their power, they don't really know how to do anything productive.

It's a perfectly acceptable balance.

Well, Thailand's future is hardly written in stone. Maybe they will wake up soon and realize that those who have the guns, really do have the power. Perhaps they have been fooling everyone all along and are just waiting for the right moment to strengthen their position in Thai society, permanently. Various power groups constant rely on the military to be the dumb guy you can manipulate to do what you want is quite dangerous in this regard. Its like letting a mentally handicapped child guard your safe, on the assumption that he will never memorize the combination, or put his gun to your head and make you open it.

They only have to look next door to see what 'only' guns + power and no business folks to run the show looks like.

[dave9988]

That is an extreme example. I think a perpetual series of appointed CNS type governments, judicial coups, military coups, and military backed parliamentary coalitions is more likely. A big difference between 25 years ago (the last time the Military was this powerful) appears to be a more involved populous and that has to be a catalyst to conflict. Since the 06' coup, the military has been running the show, do you not agree?

Edited February 11, 2009 by dave9988

[UncleFrank]

That is an extreme example. I think a perpetual series of appointed CNS type governments, judicial coups, military coups, and military backed parliamentary coalitions is more likely. A big difference between 25 years ago (the last time the Military was this powerful) appears to be a more involved populous and that has to be a catalyst to conflict. Since the 06' coup, the military has been running the show, do you not agree?

The military has been running the show for centuries. In complete control.

They pay lip service to you know who.

You know who treads very carefully when dealing with the murderous, military thugs.

[MeetJohnDoe]

You gotta dance with who brought you to the party

As an aside, the Thai military is a complete joke as a fighting force and completely ineffective in protecting Thai sovereignty (Siam has continually lost territory to it's neighbors and the colonial powers over the past couple hundred years.). I mean, even Laos kicked their butts awhile back...it's only good for staging coups and killing unarmed student democracy protesters.

There is no god so stop worrying and enjoy your life.

Edited February 12, 2009 by MeetJohnDoe

[henryalleman]

The military is running the show for more than 70 years in Thailand and will be for the next 70 years at least. I stated before and i stated again.

Thailand was - is and will be for decades a military dictatorship. Because nothing can happen in this country without their permission, regardless which party or PM is in charge.

And the one who is acting against their interest have to go, be it by military power or their influence.

[CHINWA]

Below the regional average? Does it matter? Were you anticipating an invasion? Why does the military need more weapons? Haven't enough weapons ended up in the hands of gangsters and the weapons black market? Are you saying that regional devolopment, health care and education should have their budgets slashed?

Well at least this demonstrates why the MoH has been out in front with its pronouncements of a health crisis brewing.

Oh wait. No worries. They can use the new bullets and tanks to take care of the ill.

Thailand needs proper police training and a professional military not a bigger budget. The military is inept at controlling the south. What good will new tanks be down there? Does the military really need new perks, officer clubs and private aircraft to go on jaunts?

Excellent explanation. Let's spend more with the army and forget the education. The educational system is less the mediocre but, there is no need to instruct people. Too many educated people might be a threat to democracy...

[UncleFrank]

Below the regional average? Does it matter? Were you anticipating an invasion? Why does the military need more weapons? Haven't enough weapons ended up in the hands of gangsters and the weapons black market? Are you saying that regional devolopment, health care and education should have their budgets slashed?

Well at least this demonstrates why the MoH has been out in front with its pronouncements of a health crisis brewing.

Oh wait. No worries. They can use the new bullets and tanks to take care of the ill.

Thailand needs proper police training and a professional military not a bigger budget. The military is inept at controlling the south. What good will new tanks be down there? Does the military really need new perks, officer clubs and private aircraft to go on jaunts?

Excellent explanation. Let's spend more with the army and forget the education. The educational system is less the mediocre but, there is no need to instruct people. Too many educated people might be a threat to democracy...

You got it backwards. Educated public will demand democracy and threaten the way of life that the elite crowd enjoy so much.

[MiG16]

All that proves is what a t#sser Thaksin was, and how underfunded the army was.

Remember, that in the South of Thailand, its like a war zone in certain places. Soldiers being killed and maimed on a regular basis.

Yet under Thaksins watch, the budget he allocated to the military was LESS than the budget allocated to the military in

Troubles in the South and always potential threats from east and west, it is money well intentioned.

try speaking to people in the south and you might see this from a different perspective

and when you do, keep in mind that people from the south are the least likely supporters of Thaksin. so their opinion is not biased by what Thaksin's government says.

[geriatrickid]

Depends which ethnic group from the south you are refering too. A certain religious group will loathe anyone that uses military force to deal with the unrest and those of the other religious group will feel that there is not enough military might used to supress the dissent.

Whoever is in charge in BKK will never be popular in the south until there is peace in the south.

I am neither criticizing nor supporting the strategies used to address the southern problems, particularly since I can't offer a better solution. However, it really is a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't.

[MiG16]

Depends which ethnic group from the south you are refering too. A certain religious group will loathe anyone that uses military force to deal with the unrest and those of the other religious group will feel that there is not enough military might used to supress the dissent.

actually....these days regardless of which religion, you are more likely to have somewhat of similar view at least in one particular regard.

it really is a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't.

THAT part is certainly very true

[dave9988]

The military is running the show for more than 70 years in Thailand and will be for the next 70 years at least. I stated before and i stated again.

Thailand was - is and will be for decades a military dictatorship. Because nothing can happen in this country without their permission, regardless which party or PM is in charge.

And the one who is acting against their interest have to go, be it by military power or their influence.

So they were running the show when they were getting 6% of the government's budget (under Thaskin) as opposed to 20% now (under Abhisit?) ....