New Thai Government Says Army Chief To Keep Post

[webfact]

New Thai government says army chief to keep post

BANGKOK, August 10, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's new defence minister said Wednesday there was no plan to sack the army chief, who played a key role in a deadly military crackdown on opposition protests in Bangkok last year.

"I can confirm that no one will be transferred," General Yuthasak Sasiprapa told AFP at Government House when asked whether he was considering a reshuffle of the armed forces top brass.

Thailand's military has a long history of intervening in politics, including a string of coups, most recently in 2006 when it overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra, whose allies staged a comeback with a landslide election victory last month.

Commander-in-chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a staunch royalist, launched a thinly veiled attack on Thaksin's party on national television ahead of the vote, telling voters to pick "good people".

Prayut, who took the top job in October, is reported to have overseen the military crackdown on a rally by Thaksin's "Red Shirt" supporters in the heart of Bangkok in April and May 2010 that left more than 90 people dead.

The new defence minister told reporters Wednesday that he had been asked by Thaksin -- widely seen as the de facto leader of the recently elected Peua Thai party -- to pursue better ties with the army.

"I'm confident that relations between the military and Puea Thai will improve," he said, adding that he did not expect another coup.

Yuthasak was a deputy defence minister under Thaksin, a former billionaire telecoms tycoon who now lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail sentence imposed in his absence for corruption.

Thaksin tapped his youngest sister Yingluck to successfully run in his place for the premiership.

Yingluck, a 44-year-old political novice, took office on Monday with a vow to heal the scars of years of turmoil following the overthrow of her fugitive brother.

Several Red Shirt leaders were elected as lawmakers with Yingluck's party but missed out on cabinet appointments that could have angered Thaksin's foes in military, government and palace circles.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-08-10

[webfact]

DEFENSE MINISTRY

New defense minister vows to smooth away govt and military

By The Nation

Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha today vowed to smooth away the relations between the government and the military.

"My top priority is to work with the military commanders to protect the monarchy, safeguard the national security and develop the armed forces," he said.

Yuthasak said immediately after taking office, he will next week meet with top commanders to ensure them about job security, quelling speculation about a purge.

Then he would seek to call on chief royal adviser Gen Prem Tinsulanonda in order to seek his guidance on defence affairs, he added.

In regard to the annual military reshuffle due to complete by this month, he said he would consult respective commanders to dispense job assignments in accordance with precedents and qualifications.

Even before the government is to present its policy statement in Parliament later this month, he will start working in an unofficial capacity, he said.

The Defence Council would convene right after the policy debate. Before that, he would make a personal visit to the three southernmost provinces to inspect the work progress in the strifetorn region.

Three top commanders, permanent secretary for Defence General Apichart Penkitti, Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jakkabat and Navy chief Admiral Kamthorn Phumhiran, are scheduled to retire in September and their successors would be appointed as per military traditions, the minister said.

-- The Nation 2011-08-10

[AleG]

Is that the sound of popping red heads I hear?

[chinook]

survival tactics, lion learns not to bite the zookeeper.

Edited August 10, 2011 by chinook

[OzMick]

"The new defence minister told reporters Wednesday that he had been asked by Thaksin................."

Is there any real doubt who is in charge of this government?

[surangw]

probably got to keep his job by not ratting out his buddies

[webfact]

Yuthasak wants to mend fences with the military

By The Nation

Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha yesterday vowed to smooth relations between the government and the military.

"My top priority is to work with military commanders to protect the monarchy, safeguard the national security and develop the armed forces," he said.

Yuthasak said immediately after taking office, he will next week meet with top commanders to ensure them about job security, quelling speculation about a purge. Then he would seek to call on chief royal adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda in order to seek his guidance on defence affairs, he added.

Regarding the annual military reshuffle due to be completed by this month, he said he would consult respective commanders to dispense job assignments in accordance with precedents and qualifications.

Even before the government is to present its policy statement in Parliament later this month, he will start working in an unofficial capacity, he said.

The Defence Council would convene right after the policy debate. Before that, he would make a personal visit to the three southernmost provinces to inspect work progress in the strife-torn region.

He would also travel to Si Sa Ket, under the jurisdiction of the 2nd Army Region, to gain first-hand knowledge about the border dispute with Cambodia.

If time permits, he has planned an inspection trip to the 3rd Army Region to check on flood relief operations.

Three top commanders, permanent secretary for Defence General Apichart Penkitti, Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jakkabat and Navy chief Admiral Kamthorn Phumhiran, are scheduled to retire in September and their successors would be appointed according to military traditions, the minister said.

"I will make a decision on the military line-up after consulting respective commanders and not to impose my personal views on the appointments," he said.

He said as a retired permanent secretary for defence, he was well familiar with military regulations.

He pledged to ensure fairness in military rotations, saying he would not condone rival military cliques lobbying for key positions.

He dismissed speculation that Pre-Cadet Class 10 had opposed his appointment, arguing he had good ties with the class and that only General Amnuay Thirachunha had been critical of him.

Commenting on arms procurement, he said he was ready to review requests from the armed forces, including the planned purchase of submarines.

In another development, Police spokesman Maj General Prawuth Thawornsiri said police work remained on course despite speculation about the imminent sacking of National Police chief General Wichean Potephosree.

"The National Police chief remains at his post and rumour is still rumour," he said.

Wichean said he had not wavered in his devotion to serve in the police service despite speculation on his job security.

He also denied the rumour that the ruling Pheu Thai Party offered him a new assignment with either the National Security Council or the Narcotics Suppression Board.

"I am a subordinate to the government and not in a position to negotiate for a job assignment," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-08-11

[siampolee]

Commenting on arms procurement, he said he was ready to review requests from the armed forces, including the planned purchase of submarines.

No doubt the rates of commission to be received too !!

[metisdead]

A post with profanity as well as the replies have been removed. Another with veiled insinuations has also been removed.