Soldiers To Get Rewards For Helping Post Tsunami

[The_Moog]

(A prize to the first person who states the obvious).....

From today's Nation.....

Thai military leaders plan to reward military officers who have been involved in relief and rescue operations in the southern coastal provinces hit by tsunami waves three weeks ago to help boost their morale.

The soldiers have devoted themselves to help restore the six provinces, including Phuket, Satun, Ranong, Krabi, Phang Nga and Trang, ravaged by the massive waves, according to the militarys supreme commander, Gen Chaisit Shinawatra.

Every soldier will be rewarded with payment and promotion for their devotion, said the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan.

The daily payments to the soldiers for their devoted services were agreed at this week's cabinet meeting.

The military has provided manpower, tools and vital supplies used in the rescue and restoration operations.

They have played a central role in the countrys relief and rescue operations.

[onethailand]

Mmm hmm. Payment AND Promotion.

Payment I can believe. Promotion?

Do keep in mind Thailand did refuse financial aid - so I suppose the government has plenty of money for this. But one would think that there are a lot of other people who deserve some sort of compensation for their time... police... rescue and medical teams... other civil servants... people who lost their livelihoods...

[samran]

Given that the average Thai conscript gets about 80-100 baht a day, any increase won't break the governments budget.

As for promotion, well most of them will get out of the army first chance they get, so it is a harmless and costless guesture in the long run.

[onethailand]

It's not necessarily a matter of breaking the government's budget - it's pretty apparent that they have funds.

It does, however, call into question the motives for such a move - given that the other government workers are apparently not being compensated, nor promoted...

[RDN]

... the militarys supreme commander, Gen Chaisit Shinawatra....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

General who?

[Kringle]

Election time and all the "Officers" will tell their troops who to vote for. Just a guess.

[sriracha john]

... the militarys supreme commander, Gen Chaisit Shinawatra....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

General who?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He's Thaksin's cousin

[Explorer]

I am surprised they even thoguht of this.

After T-Day, we have seen foriegn army in Thailand helping the victims, is Thailand short of army personnel?

In The Nation front page on 15 January, a picture of US Navy Seals looking around some debris on the beach as they were searching for bodies. Thai army unable to do this kind search?

I have nothing against Americans, but why do Thailand need the foriegn army in the country? Is it because they (foriegn army) have better common sense in how to help the victims? And how to proceed in search and rescue mission?

Does this mean the Thai Military are unable to care for their own country? How easy of an invasion could happen if one foriegn country wish it.

And talking about promotion and bonus, i believe it is there duty to protect the country and to serve the people in the country at time of crises. In which i see they have failed to do so during the time of needs.

Not technically trained is not an option to use for excuse. If in the future, if some advance weapons may be used somewhere in Thailand by an unauthorized group (terrorist), are they gonna come out and say " Sorry we are not trained for this type of weapon, for there we are unable to protect the country or it's citizen. So to all Thais and other resident in Thailand - God speed"

Anyway, as they say " there are no bad soldiers, just bad leaders"

Explorer

[The_Moog]

Ok, this is my guess.

Apart from his cousin, the army really don't like Thaksin. He has stopped a lot of their little scams - the biggest being buying second hand weapons from international arms dealers. (A nice little earner).

So this is a way of mollifying the army - the Conscripts aren't likely to get decent promotions - just the mid-level officers who probably didn't carry the bodies.

[billd766]

I think if anyone deserves an award it should be Pornthip Rojanasunand who is Thailands leading forensic expert.

Unfortunately she does not fit into the mould that she should because she is outspoken, has spiky hair and above all cares for victims and their relatives. Also she never toes any political party line and this alone will prevent any official recognition from the government.

After about 4,000 victims that she has treated from day 1, the Thai police and government say that her work was not good enough and that she should stand down as soon as is practible and then the police will take over the task.

It would be good for the country if the Royal Family could do something for her as that would be non-political and a greater reward than anything Toxins government could offer.

From what I read in the papers and see on the news the majority of the Thai people think that she is a really good person.

[Tornado]

... the militarys supreme commander, Gen Chaisit Shinawatra....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

General who?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The last Military commander was "kidnapped" by "commandos" last year/2years ago , not sure if he was found?? and then Thaksin placed the cuz in the position.

It must be nice being the absolute ruler

[Explorer]

I think if anyone deserves an award it should be Pornthip Rojanasunand who is Thailands leading forensic expert.

Unfortunately she does not fit into the mould that she should because she is outspoken, has spiky hair and above all cares for victims and their relatives. Also she never toes any political party line and this alone will prevent any official recognition from the government.

After about 4,000 victims that she has treated from day 1, the Thai police and government say that her work was not good enough and that she should stand down as soon as is practible and then the police will take over the task.

It would be good for the country if the Royal Family could do something for her as that would be non-political and a greater reward than anything Toxins government could offer.

From what I read in the papers and see on the news the majority of the Thai people think that she is a really good person.

My wife told me she is currently fighting cancer and yes, I do agree she deserves an award of some kind if not from Thailand maybe from the international countries.

Explorer

[sriracha john]

I think if anyone deserves an award it should be Pornthip Rojanasunand who is Thailands leading forensic expert.

Unfortunately she does not fit into the mould that she should because she is outspoken, has spiky hair and above all cares for victims and their relatives. Also she never toes any political party line and this alone will prevent any official recognition from the government.

After about 4,000 victims that she has treated from day 1, the Thai police and government say that her work was not good enough and that she should stand down as soon as is practible and then the police will take over the task.

It would be good for the country if the Royal Family could do something for her as that would be non-political and a greater reward than anything Toxins government could offer.

From what I read in the papers and see on the news the majority of the Thai people think that she is a really good person.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Royal Family DOES think highly of her, awarding her the prestigious title of Khunying last year.

[chuchok]

I think if anyone deserves an award it should be Pornthip Rojanasunand who is Thailands leading forensic expert.

Unfortunately she does not fit into the mould that she should because she is outspoken, has spiky hair and above all cares for victims and their relatives. Also she never toes any political party line and this alone will prevent any official recognition from the government.

After about 4,000 victims that she has treated from day 1, the Thai police and government say that her work was not good enough and that she should stand down as soon as is practible and then the police will take over the task.

It would be good for the country if the Royal Family could do something for her as that would be non-political and a greater reward than anything Toxins government could offer.

From what I read in the papers and see on the news the majority of the Thai people think that she is a really good person.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Royal Family DOES think highly of her, awarding her the prestigious title of Khunying last year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I read on TV that the reason why H.M. gave Pornthip the khunying title, was to make sure that she did not run foul of "dark influences" when she was investigating

high profile cases. Just another example of H.M. looking after his people.

She has done a great job.

[ronz28]

Rewarding those soldiers is a good thing!

They endured a lot and I am sure they saw some unspeakable sights and worked passed exhaustion. All those that endured so much in a short period of time working tirelessly to help the country return to normal deserve everyone’s gratitude. These guys can't choose to volunteer. They must go and work past exhaustion in times of need convenient for them or not. So some recognition is warranted and probably not that costly since most will be promoted in their career path anyway. I can't think of a better reason to reward a military man or woman than for helping protect one’s own country from invaders or the disease that could have followed the devastation without such a quick response.

[The_Moog]

IS Porntip great?

I dunno.

Perhaps she is. I think one automatically assumes she is and the Police are wrong....

...but is that fair?

I've met plenty of 50-something women who are bossy old scrotes.

I saw Porntip a few weeks back in Bkk, and she did have that wizzened pre-cancerous look. I hope she's ok.

Moog.

ps Positively brilliant letter in today's Bkk Post by Moog.