All Sides In Thailand Should Stop Playing The Military Card

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

All sides should stop playing the military card

By Avudh Panananda

The Nation

National security and the government's stability are two issues that might be related but should be kept separate, because mixing the two only fuels volatility without resolving anything.

However, with Thailand going through a rough patch, the two issues have become blurred. Politicians in the coalition and the opposition are trying to manipulate the state apparatus for partisan gains.

If this were allowed to continue, then the future of democracy would be in grave danger, because the military, which is intrinsic to the security apparatus, would become an indispensable factor in the political equation. Also, coup d'etat is a cardinal sin in democracy.

The prolonged presence of the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) is a classic case for a mistaken idea that the government's survival is the essence of national interest.

The CRES came into existence on an ad hoc basis and should be dismantled soon after the dissipation of the state of emergency. Instead it is evolving as if it is going to become a permanent fixture.

When the government declared the emergency in April, its justification was to rein in the red shirts, particularly those prone to violence. The Democrats saw the CRES as an antidote to the failed emergency rule imposed by the administrations of Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat.

Under Samak and Somchai, the emergency law became a paper tiger because top generals dithered in the face of the yellow shirts, who were seen as political activists but were classified by the two previous governments as being a threat to their survival under the pretext of national security.

The CRES was set up by the Democrats to take charge of the anti-riot operations under the supervision of coalition overseers. Despite a fancy organisational chart, the actual power to execute security measures was concentrated in the hands of few top generals, including the Army chief.

CRES overseers, including the prime minister, were just figureheads. The red-shirt protests might have taken a different turn if the April 10 bloodshed had not served as a wake-up call for top brass - that the red menace was real and committed to the butchery of soldiers.

The military put an end to the red-shirt protests in May. It remains debatable whether the top brass reined in the red-shirt movement for the sake of the government or for safeguarding the armed forces.

It is no secret that the red shirts spawned the growth of "watermelon" soldiers, who in turn fuelled the unprecedented rift within the military ranks.

Coalition and opposition politicians have openly tried to sway the CRES in their battle of wits. Top generals have suddenly become the most sought-after trophies to tip the power balance.

The longer the CRES stays in operation, the more dangerous it will become to the political system, because for the generals it is a trapdoor to power. Past conflicts should serve as a lesson that playing the military card would likely end up with a power seizure.

Before the 2006 coup, then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the yellow shirts struggled against each other. The military card featured prominently in the strategies of the respective sides.

Thaksin gave the green light to mobilise the military to crush the yellow shirts, yet his attempt to rally the soldiers backfired, bringing about his own downfall.

Under the CRES mandate, a few top generals can wield a lot of power. Less than a week after taking office, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has dismissed any speculation of a coup. Such denial has always preceded past power seizures.

If democracy is to advance forward, it is imperative that coalition and opposition politicians stop playing the military card to outwit one another.

-- The Nation 2010-10-12

[yellow1red1]

*going through a rough patch? for years, nay, decades!

*all sides? the military IS a 'side' / faction!

*coup d'etat? more than one observer views the present situation as such, already!

*democracy in grave danger? can not break sumthin that aint fixed amigo!

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

The CRES came into existence on an ad hoc basis and should be dismantled soon after the dissipation of the state of emergency. Instead it is evolving as if it is going to become a permanent fixture.

If anything, the apparent bomb-making operation in Nonthaburi which involved at least one red shirt member demonstrates that there is still a need for the CRES. While I agree it should be dissolved when the state of emergency dissipates, the state of emergency appears still to be necessary. Unfortunate, but the author needs to face up to the facts of an ongoing red shirt insurgency that threatens the peace of the kingdom.

[Thai at Heart]

I wish that the army would stop entering the game and running off with the jackpot at gunpoint if they don't like the cards they are dealt.

[Thai at Heart]

multiple post

Edited October 12, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[Thai at Heart]

multiple post

Edited October 12, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[givenall]

I wish that the army would stop entering the game and running off with the jackpot at gunpoint if they don't like the cards they are dealt.

Unfortunately the police can’t be trusted to uphold the law. They are not more than mafia and gangs looking for their own interest in their own territories. They always disappear from the scene when becomes tough

You will need to keep the military involves, until the police is reformed and they are truly are the keeper of the law

[Thai at Heart]

I wish that the army would stop entering the game and running off with the jackpot at gunpoint if they don't like the cards they are dealt.

Unfortunately the police can’t be trusted to uphold the law. They are not more than mafia and gangs looking for their own interest in their own territories. They always disappear from the scene when becomes tough

You will need to keep the military involves, until the police is reformed and they are truly are the keeper of the law

And you don't think that there is a small element of "if it is good for the army, it is good for us?" The historic role of the army is one of the causes of the problems in Thailand, not a cure for its ills.

Don't tell me, that the army doesn't know where to stash the cash when they make their purchasing rounds for their equipment or that they don't have their fingers in plenty of dirty pies in the country. The strange thing is that they are supposed to largely be preoccupied with protecting the country from external threats. Seems a lot of them would prefer to sit in the PM's seat rather than in the barracks. The OP talks about factions in the army, rather like Thai politics, but of course, their loyalty is beyond bounds and doesn't need a little sweetener here or there to make sure it happens?

They don't act on anything unless it is in their personal and financial interest, in fact rather like the police, but in a different colour. Do you remember the turf wars between the army and the police a few years ago when the police, having one of their own as PM started branching out into areas of business reserved for the army?

The difference is that they have been over the years allowed to shoot people with absolute impunity, the police bless them however, even occasionally end up in court, or put in inactive posts. And that was irony, I don't feel sorry for the police in anyway.

[hammered]

It also requires teh police to do their job in protecting the public and not allowing mob rule and it additionally requires the bombers who are now seemingly close to a major political party to stop what they do. It is overly simplistic to say sideline the army and ignore police inactrion in April and May to protect citizens and to ignore the money trail of the bombers to politicians. The whole lot has to be sorted at the same time. Then there are corrupt politcos. Democracy hasnt got a chance while they remain so powerful, so why not put the whole mess on the table rather than just one part

And of course Thailand and its people being quite willing to turn a blind eye to the biggest massacre in recent history needs to have questions asked especially as a so called pro-democracy group call for the return of the person who oversaw such a denial of human rights.

Everything is a mess and there is no easy or non=messy way out but a start would be putting everything out in the open and on the table and not just continuing the games

[jayjay0]

Why do they insist on giving us The nation's view on every thing. The Bangkok Post has opinions also about Politics. Granted they also have there own agenda however it would be nice to see a diferent point of view.

[taurus88]

You can't put it any better than the editor wrote' that coup is a cardinal sin in any democracy. The Military job is not to solve political problems. That process belongs sorely on the democratic process. If it is the military role, then we are no better than Mynmar or North Korea. Thailand must have faith in their democratic process and let the world community judge you in terms of fairness. We are not the only country that has a struggling democracy but to short-cut with military coup is taking away the people mandate.

[OzMick]

When a political party uses an armed militia to try to overthrow the government, the use of the army is quite legitimate. This govt has a legitimate mandate, whether some people like that or not, and is still within its legal term of office.

Please remember that was not the case when Thaksin was removed. His mandate had expired, he had resigned then re-instated himself, and he had failed to call an election in the constitutionally required time period. IMHO his removal was was for the benefit of the majority of the country and necessary to maintain Thai democracy.

".............. Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has dismissed any speculation of a coup. Such denial has always preceded past power seizures." What should he say? Either "no comment" or "we are considering it" wouldn't help dampen speculation. Such denial has also always preceded every time this question was asked and there was NOT a coup. I see no reason why a coup would be considered. The govt is attempting to calm the current situation, social advances are being made, and nobody is screaming about the human rights abuses seen in the past. and what would the longer term goals be; to run the country as a military dictatorship, or re-call Thaksin?

[mythBuster]

The Nation and her backers should bow very deeply to the people of Thailand and apologize for misusing the army against the people and against an elected government. The directors should come clean and explain why they considered themselves above the law when they were subjected to an investigation of the anti corruption authorities. the last thing the Nation should do is take the moral high ground when they are actually in the moral sewer.It is because of the people leading the Nation Newspaper and writing for it that the army have shown to be a monster. Now they should face the reality. Reconcilliation can only take place after the likes of Anupong, sondhi, Prem , members of the rubber stamp parliament and Abhisit have faced the internationals court for trampling on human rights.Till than the voters have all the rights in the world to consider the army leaders criminals.

[Thai at Heart]

Is that the military "Put you in Jail Free" card?

[OzMick]

The Nation and her backers should bow very deeply to the people of Thailand and apologize for misusing the army against the people and against an elected government. The directors should come clean and explain why they considered themselves above the law when they were subjected to an investigation of the anti corruption authorities. the last thing the Nation should do is take the moral high ground when they are actually in the moral sewer.It is because of the people leading the Nation Newspaper and writing for it that the army have shown to be a monster. Now they should face the reality. Reconcilliation can only take place after the likes of Anupong, sondhi, Prem , members of the rubber stamp parliament and Abhisit have faced the internationals court for trampling on human rights.Till than the voters have all the rights in the world to consider the army leaders criminals.

You are entitled to your view, but you really should see an optometrist. You only have 2 rights when you take up arms against the duly elected govt of the day - the right to a lawyer after you are arrested; should you refuse to be arrested, you have the right to remain dead.

As for this BS that the army should only be used for external conflict, please point me to any constitution which includes that clause.

[Roadman]

"Less than a week after taking office, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has dismissed any speculation of a coup. Such denial has always preceded past power seizures".

So what happened to the coup from the denial from Anupong prior to the current Generals appointment? Say it often enough one will eventually get it right.

And why does the Army even want to enforce a coup? Does the Nation pay peanuts? The quality of its 'opinion' writers suggests so.

[dighambara]

I wish that the army would stop entering the game and running off with the jackpot at gunpoint if they don't like the cards they are dealt.

Unfortunately the police can’t be trusted to uphold the law. They are not more than mafia and gangs looking for their own interest in their own territories. They always disappear from the scene when becomes tough

You will need to keep the military involves, until the police is reformed and they are truly are the keeper of the law

Very true and one of the biggest shocks to foreigners is that Thai police are usually no more than crooks in uniform. Once in Surin, I beheld a policeman tell a pedestrian how crossworked and what light to wait for...LOL However, in Pattaya, Hua Hin, Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani and Nong Khai, I have had the misfortune to be stopped for a bribe. In Nongkhai, they were careful to write up a ticket witht he description of the supposed fault (a lie) and charge 500 Baht.

Ah well, such is Thailand, where for police protection at night, neighbors bribe a local cop to drive by once in a while...

[OzMick]

I found this in the live news section:

"Karom Polthaklang, a Red Shirt lawyer, ....................Speaking about recent bombings in Bangkok and the three adjacent provinces which are still under a state of emergency, the attorney said he believed the actions were not the work of the Red Shirts as their leaders have been detained in prison and that most of the activists who gathered at the prison Tuesday were women and the elderly.

Contrary to charges voiced by some, Mr Karon said, the women and the elderly had not undergone weapons training as charged by some people."

He conveniently forgets that some Redshit leaders are still on the run (Arisman, et al), and gets a little tricky with the last bit, not actually denying that some not-so-elderly men may be getting weapons training.

[asiawatcher]

Thank goodness there is still an army as the Police are oxygen bandits!