Thai Army Turns Flooding Into A P.R. Opportunity

[webfact]

Thai Army Turns Flooding Into a P.R. Opportunity

By THOMAS FULLER

BANGKOK — Troops and army trucks are rolling through the streets of Bangkok again. But this time it is not to battle protesters or overthrow a prime minister.

In a country deeply divided over the military’s role in civilian life, Thailand’s top generals have used the floods, the worst the country has had in decades, as an opportunity to showcase the army’s friendlier side.

Thousands of soldiers have been sent to the capital to help civilians. At the same time, the military has broadcast a series of slick television advertisements showing its soldiers as more than just battle-hardened fighters, including one in which children learn about soldiers who build roads and tend to the sick. “We are the people’s army,” says a voice at the end of the ads.

The head of the Thai Army, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha — who led the troops that broke up antigovernment demonstrators in Bangkok last year in a violent episode that left at least 90 people dead — has repeatedly said that he wants the military to be seen as a benevolent, apolitical force in Thai society. [more...]

Full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/world/asia/floods-give-thai-military-a-chance-to-launch-charm-offensive.html

-- nytimes.com 2011-11-16

[MikeyIdea]

What unfortunately is not explained well and thereby lost to the foreigners reading the article is how well respected the army really is and was also before the flooding started

[phaethon]

Scooped 'em a week ago...

[sparebox2]

Good PR means it is time for another coup.

[phaethon]

Good PR means it is time for another coup.

That's what I was thinking, maybe not soon, but they are maintaining their public image while successive civil governments dig their own graves.

In a country where the armed forces were under the control of civil authorities it wouldn't raise an eyebrow, but here it's... notable.

[UweSchwarzbach]

At least the army was helping people while the politicians were only helping themselves to more funds from the relief budget. And since they are very quick in secretly changing things to get the convicted felon back to Thailand (see amnesty rules) I am certainly glad that the army is not under government control and if things get out of hand I do see another coup as the only chance to bring peace to the Thai people. But this time they cannot let the convicted felon escape, they must make sure he is inhumed most impolitely.

[MikeyIdea]

Good PR means it is time for another coup.

That's what I was thinking, maybe not soon, but they are maintaining their public image while successive civil governments dig their own graves.

In a country where the armed forces were under the control of civil authorities it wouldn't raise an eyebrow, but here it's... notable.

Not quite. The government are standing by their colours and are helping those who supported them pretty well (more than those who don't support them...). That and populist politics like new-house/car-buying-sceme is a strategy that works perfectly with the poor and uneducated who don't think beyond tomorrow today

Way too much support still

[pauljones]

The Thai Army.

Is there a bigger bunch if criminals on the planet.

Remember the last coup?

The cleanest guy they could find to replace the PM owned a house in a national park.

[exeter]

At least the army was helping people while the politicians were only helping themselves to more funds from the relief budget. And since they are very quick in secretly changing things to get the convicted felon back to Thailand (see amnesty rules) I am certainly glad that the army is not under government control and if things get out of hand I do see another coup as the only chance to bring peace to the Thai people. But this time they cannot let the convicted felon escape, they must make sure he is inhumed most impolitely.

I agree with everything you said.

[Captain Haddock]

If they are the people's army and there's another coup, does that mean it will be a democratic government..?

[aaacorp]

At least the army was helping people while the politicians were only helping themselves to more funds from the relief budget. And since they are very quick in secretly changing things to get the convicted felon back to Thailand (see amnesty rules) I am certainly glad that the army is not under government control and if things get out of hand I do see another coup as the only chance to bring peace to the Thai people. But this time they cannot let the convicted felon escape, they must make sure he is inhumed most impolitely.

I agree with everything you said.

Even if Thaksin should spend some time in jail, i am always amazed by the farangs who want another coup in Thailand

I am quite sure that back in their country if such thing would happen they will certainly the first horrified and cry for the lose of democracy.

A coup is not a mark of democracy, will not help and will just put military in control a bit more.

And they already control A LOT and are wealthy A LOT. The army leaders were so sad the government asked a 10% cut in their budget to help flood rehabilitation.... Their budget doubled one or two year ago when Abhisit was PM.

And they just crash helicopters and buy crappy stuff like second hands...not mentioning the bomb sniffer which wa just a big joke

[Payboy]

At least the army was helping people while the politicians were only helping themselves to more funds from the relief budget. And since they are very quick in secretly changing things to get the convicted felon back to Thailand (see amnesty rules) I am certainly glad that the army is not under government control and if things get out of hand I do see another coup as the only chance to bring peace to the Thai people. But this time they cannot let the convicted felon escape, they must make sure he is inhumed most impolitely.

I agree with everything you said.

Even if Thaksin should spend some time in jail, i am always amazed by the farangs who want another coup in Thailand

I am quite sure that back in their country if such thing would happen they will certainly the first horrified and cry for the lose of democracy.

A coup is not a mark of democracy, will not help and will just put military in control a bit more.

And they already control A LOT and are wealthy A LOT. The army leaders were so sad the government asked a 10% cut in their budget to help flood rehabilitation.... Their budget doubled one or two year ago when Abhisit was PM.

And they just crash helicopters and buy crappy stuff like second hands...not mentioning the bomb sniffer which wa just a big joke

+1

And don't forget the army blimp.

[hellodolly]

To the nay sayers I hope you base your judgement of the current government using the criteria you are using for your judgement of the Army.

I don't know but I would be willing to bet that the Thaksin led governments had left the military budgets decrease to the point where the army was next to incapable of any real action. Given his way the military would be unable to help at all in the current situation. The numbers clearly show that they are a large part of the relief effort.

How many Government officials and civil servants are doing any thing other than pushing paper, posing for photo op and making statements in contention with their last statement?

[Ricardo]

Something is wrong, when the Army are being criticised, for being more-effective at helping the people, than the elected politicians. And the OP didn't even have the grace to wait, until after the floods had ended, before pointing his finger. Which says a lot about the OP.

[BigRick]

Every flood area I was in the people I saw doing the most were the military. They acted professional and were very friendly. Most of these other asshats in charge did nothing more than talk a bunch of BS cause a lot of problems and use this horrible situation to further their own gains. I talked with more than a few army(Rank and file) people all over the city those guys are working 7 days a week 12-16 hours a day non stop. People are also happy that they are helping I have yet to see anyone pissed off at the army anywhere I went. Most of the anger was directed at the current party in power, to saw she got egg on her face would be an understatement she got hit with a bakers dozen. I don't think there really are any winners in this situation its going to be a financial and social burden for years to come.

[aaacorp]

To the nay sayers I hope you base your judgement of the current government using the criteria you are using for your judgement of the Army.

I don't know but I would be willing to bet that the Thaksin led governments had left the military budgets decrease to the point where the army was next to incapable of any real action. Given his way the military would be unable to help at all in the current situation. The numbers clearly show that they are a large part of the relief effort.

How many Government officials and civil servants are doing any thing other than pushing paper, posing for photo op and making statements in contention with their last statement?

In what this justify a coup?

I didn t say the army makes a bad job, in fact i think they do their job quite well.

But, for the Yeah sayer like you, you justify a coup and i am quite sure you wouldn t justify such thing in your own country.

No need to say that the army, especially the top notche ones are far from being clean.

So stop throwing the Thaksin picture in the crowd and speak one more time about red vs yellow vs army

A coup, with or without violence is a lack of democracy and leads to nothing good.

And yes, the 10% cut is really nothing compared to the double budget allowance they had during Abhisit government. And this budget was not for helping civils but for the "just in case Cambodia mess up with us"

Army should stay where they are : protect the people, help them during crisis situations like this but not overthrow an elected government

So one more time you will speak about the red bribs and so on...yeah but it s up to the government (elected or not) to put money in education instead of crashing helicopters and bomb sniffers.

[whybother]

Even if Thaksin should spend some time in jail, i am always amazed by the farangs who want another coup in Thailand

I am quite sure that back in their country if such thing would happen they will certainly the first horrified and cry for the lose of democracy.

A coup is not a mark of democracy, will not help and will just put military in control a bit more.

And they already control A LOT and are wealthy A LOT. The army leaders were so sad the government asked a 10% cut in their budget to help flood rehabilitation.... Their budget doubled one or two year ago when Abhisit was PM.

And they just crash helicopters and buy crappy stuff like second hands...not mentioning the bomb sniffer which wa just a big joke

I agree with you about the coup. Another coup would be a huge step backwards for Thailand.

But your other comments ... I didn't realise they were asked for a 10% budget cut for flood rehabilitation? DID the budget double under Abhisit? Maybe you could provide some evidence for those statements.

[aaacorp]

Even if Thaksin should spend some time in jail, i am always amazed by the farangs who want another coup in Thailand

I am quite sure that back in their country if such thing would happen they will certainly the first horrified and cry for the lose of democracy.

A coup is not a mark of democracy, will not help and will just put military in control a bit more.

And they already control A LOT and are wealthy A LOT. The army leaders were so sad the government asked a 10% cut in their budget to help flood rehabilitation.... Their budget doubled one or two year ago when Abhisit was PM.

And they just crash helicopters and buy crappy stuff like second hands...not mentioning the bomb sniffer which wa just a big joke

I agree with you about the coup. Another coup would be a huge step backwards for Thailand.

But your other comments ... I didn't realise they were asked for a 10% budget cut for flood rehabilitation? DID the budget double under Abhisit? Maybe you could provide some evidence for those statements.

The army budget has doubled since the 2006 military coup and recent army procurement deals have even raised questions of whether military corruption has worsened since the coup. These include a 350 million baht ($11.4 million) purchase of a leaky surveillance blimp in 2009 and more than 700 UK-made GT200 bomb detectors that turned out to be an embarrassing scam — they are lumps of plastic with no working mechanical parts.

http://www.economist.com/node/14456895 (see the chart)

http://worldblog.msn...-free-elections "The accusation isn't far flung given all the benefits the military has reaped under Abhisit's administration. Its annual budget since the 2006 coup has swelled to $5 billion, almost double its previous budget, according to a Reuters' report. "

Hope this will be enough...i not have nough time to find the reuter s report, but it was also stated in nation and the other one

By the way, before some other comment about the help provided by the army those days : yes they make the best work i have seen since the crisis began...but one thing does not excuse another one

Edited November 16, 2011 by aaacorp

[whybother]

Even if Thaksin should spend some time in jail, i am always amazed by the farangs who want another coup in Thailand

I am quite sure that back in their country if such thing would happen they will certainly the first horrified and cry for the lose of democracy.

A coup is not a mark of democracy, will not help and will just put military in control a bit more.

And they already control A LOT and are wealthy A LOT. The army leaders were so sad the government asked a 10% cut in their budget to help flood rehabilitation.... Their budget doubled one or two year ago when Abhisit was PM.

And they just crash helicopters and buy crappy stuff like second hands...not mentioning the bomb sniffer which wa just a big joke

I agree with you about the coup. Another coup would be a huge step backwards for Thailand.

But your other comments ... I didn't realise they were asked for a 10% budget cut for flood rehabilitation? DID the budget double under Abhisit? Maybe you could provide some evidence for those statements.

The army budget has doubled since the 2006 military coup and recent army procurement deals have even raised questions of whether military corruption has worsened since the coup. These include a 350 million baht ($11.4 million) purchase of a leaky surveillance blimp in 2009 and more than 700 UK-made GT200 bomb detectors that turned out to be an embarrassing scam — they are lumps of plastic with no working mechanical parts.

http://www.economist.com/node/14456895 (see the chart)

http://worldblog.msn...-free-elections "The accusation isn't far flung given all the benefits the military has reaped under Abhisit's administration. Its annual budget since the 2006 coup has swelled to $5 billion, almost double its previous budget, according to a Reuters' report. "

Hope this will be enough...i not have nough time to find the reuter s report, but it was also stated in nation and the other one

By the way, before some other comment about the help provided by the army those days : yes they make the best work i have seen since the crisis began...but one thing does not excuse another one

So it wasn't just under Abhisit. "Since the 2006 coup ...". That includes the junta, PPP, and Democrat governments.

After the junta government's increase, it actually looks like there was an increase under the PPP government, with Abhisit (forecast to) reducing the budget.

[aaacorp]

Even if Thaksin should spend some time in jail, i am always amazed by the farangs who want another coup in Thailand

I am quite sure that back in their country if such thing would happen they will certainly the first horrified and cry for the lose of democracy.

A coup is not a mark of democracy, will not help and will just put military in control a bit more.

And they already control A LOT and are wealthy A LOT. The army leaders were so sad the government asked a 10% cut in their budget to help flood rehabilitation.... Their budget doubled one or two year ago when Abhisit was PM.

And they just crash helicopters and buy crappy stuff like second hands...not mentioning the bomb sniffer which wa just a big joke

I agree with you about the coup. Another coup would be a huge step backwards for Thailand.

But your other comments ... I didn't realise they were asked for a 10% budget cut for flood rehabilitation? DID the budget double under Abhisit? Maybe you could provide some evidence for those statements.

The army budget has doubled since the 2006 military coup and recent army procurement deals have even raised questions of whether military corruption has worsened since the coup. These include a 350 million baht ($11.4 million) purchase of a leaky surveillance blimp in 2009 and more than 700 UK-made GT200 bomb detectors that turned out to be an embarrassing scam — they are lumps of plastic with no working mechanical parts.

http://www.economist.com/node/14456895 (see the chart)

http://worldblog.msn...-free-elections "The accusation isn't far flung given all the benefits the military has reaped under Abhisit's administration. Its annual budget since the 2006 coup has swelled to $5 billion, almost double its previous budget, according to a Reuters' report. "

Hope this will be enough...i not have nough time to find the reuter s report, but it was also stated in nation and the other one

By the way, before some other comment about the help provided by the army those days : yes they make the best work i have seen since the crisis began...but one thing does not excuse another one

So it wasn't just under Abhisit. "Since the 2006 coup ...". That includes the junta, PPP, and Democrat governments.

After the junta government's increase, it actually looks like there was an increase under the PPP government, with Abhisit (forecast to) reducing the budget.

I like those things you say (even if the chart in the fist link show clearly that the "forecast: was to lower slightly the budget )but :

1) the budget of the army doubled since 2006 for what? chase Thaksin? or play the warmonger with Cambodia in a desperate trial to raise nationalism...or maybe because they crash and break all their toys regulary....

2) a big scam occured and some high ranked army are certainly involved in a way or another and this was in 2009 with the consent of the government

3) the 10% cut asked by PT government to help flooding budget made Prayut nearly cry (like Yingluck with less sobing i have to admit)

4) the army is far too present in the politics in thailand, and use nasty ways to frighten the opposants by using the lese-majeste law in a way which was not its initial vocation

5) the army is the only responsible for radio concessions (or what ever it s the nam in english, sorry not my native tongue) which can lead to abuses in a way or another (pro red or anti red)

6) In case of a coup it will be far from a peacful coup, that s for sure.... and will only benefit to the neighbours countries in term of foreign investments and development

4

[SICHONSTEVE]

The Thai Army.

Is there a bigger bunch if criminals on the planet.

Remember the last coup?

The cleanest guy they could find to replace the PM owned a house in a national park.

Yes!!! Thaksin's family and his private (army) the police!!!!!:jap:.

Not only do I remember the last coup I'm excited about the next one!!!.

Bring it on.....baby!!!.

Edited November 16, 2011 by SICHONSTEVE

[hammered]

The military are popular when doing releif work during a natural disaster. No surprise. The other side is they are not popular when on the streets with guns. No surprise. It is the same the world over

[whybother]

<snipped irrelevant stuff>

So, your two statements:

"The army leaders were so sad the government asked a 10% cut in their budget to help flood rehabilitation" - no evidence yet.

"Their budget doubled one or two year ago when Abhisit was PM." - Not true.

[MikeyIdea]

The military are popular when doing releif work during a natural disaster. No surprise. The other side is they are not popular when on the streets with guns. No surprise. It is the same the world over

Many westerners were very surprised when it happened the first time in Thailand. Then it happened in more countries after that...

What?

When the military came out on the streets with guns, both in Thailand and e.g. Egypt, then they got flowers...

[aaacorp]

<snipped irrelevant stuff>

So, your two statements:

<snipped denials>

"The army leaders were so sad the government asked a 10% cut in their budget to help flood rehabilitation" - no evidence yet. DO YOU READ THE NEWS????????? it was less than a week ago in Bkkpost and maybe ( or maybe not The Nation)... I also have the link to the statment made by Prayouth but as it s from the other newspapper and it s not allowed here you will have to find by yourself...

Stop posting in TV and read the news "The army can take a budget cut during the flood crisis, national army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Thursday.

"If the government decides to slash the budget of the Defence Ministry and the military by 10 per cent, we'll have to accept the situation"

"Their budget doubled one or two year ago when Abhisit was PM." - Not true. Wa or was not a double budget during the democrat government and especially Abhisit? just look before 2006 and after...amazing how you can have blind eyes...or maybe not want to see

http://en.wikipedia....hisit_Vejjajiva , go and read especially statements and notes 99 and 100...if you can move from TV of course (and many links on the other newspaper, just try to find them or ask me i will send you the links)

As i can read you just want to avoid the fact that the Army and the democrat may also be as corrupted as the red ones.. Stop blind yourself, read the news, and not only The Nation...not my fault if you re glued on TV and forget to read the news everywhere else

Edited November 16, 2011 by aaacorp

[hammered]

The military are popular when doing releif work during a natural disaster. No surprise. The other side is they are not popular when on the streets with guns. No surprise. It is the same the world over

Many westerners were very surprised when it happened the first time in Thailand. Then it happened in more countries after that...

What?

When the military came out on the streets with guns, both in Thailand and e.g. Egypt, then they got flowers...

A few months after the last Thai coup people lost faith in the coupmesiters government and right now you cant find anyone who thinks it was a good idea including those who hailed it when it happened. Ddint Sonthi L say it had been a disasterous failure? But I was reffering to the military losing popularity after last May. That was very very noticeable and not confined to red shirts. Shooting people doesnt go down well. It was like Suchinda time (didnt he get a pardon?)

By the way the people seem to have lost faith in the Egyptian military now too

[MikeyIdea]

The military are popular when doing releif work during a natural disaster. No surprise. The other side is they are not popular when on the streets with guns. No surprise. It is the same the world over

Many westerners were very surprised when it happened the first time in Thailand. Then it happened in more countries after that...

What?

When the military came out on the streets with guns, both in Thailand and e.g. Egypt, then they got flowers...

A few months after the last Thai coup people lost faith in the coupmesiters government and right now you cant find anyone who thinks it was a good idea including those who hailed it when it happened. Ddint Sonthi L say it had been a disasterous failure? But I was reffering to the military losing popularity after last May. That was very very noticeable and not confined to red shirts. Shooting people doesnt go down well. It was like Suchinda time (didnt he get a pardon?)

By the way the people seem to have lost faith in the Egyptian military now too

I work for a company that supply some 7,000 second tier wholesalers in Thailand, our sales uniform has a bit of red in it and most of the 7,000 wholesalers commented negatively on that. I talked to the regional sales managers and they said that most of the wholesalers liked the coup that the army did and also liked what the army did removing the rioters from Ratchaprasong last year, this also apply to the wholesalers from the north and the north-east

You talk about a group of people who think the military lost populatity and I talk about a group who liked what the military did. Is that strange? Hang on, no it isn't

It's about education and not buying populist politics like first-time house/car buyer schemes. Farmers buy that kind of stuff, better educated people see the waste of money

[whybother]

<snipped irrelevant stuff>

So, your two statements:

<snipped denials>

"The army leaders were so sad the government asked a 10% cut in their budget to help flood rehabilitation" - no evidence yet. DO YOU READ THE NEWS????????? it was less than a week ago in Bkkpost and maybe ( or maybe not The Nation)... I also have the link to the statment made by Prayouth but as it s from the other newspapper and it s not allowed here you will have to find by yourself...

Stop posting in TV and read the news "The army can take a budget cut during the flood crisis, national army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Thursday.

"If the government decides to slash the budget of the Defence Ministry and the military by 10 per cent, we'll have to accept the situation"

"Their budget doubled one or two year ago when Abhisit was PM." - Not true. Wa or was not a double budget during the democrat government and especially Abhisit? just look before 2006 and after...amazing how you can have blind eyes...or maybe not want to see

http://en.wikipedia....hisit_Vejjajiva , go and read especially statements and notes 99 and 100...if you can move from TV of course (and many links on the other newspaper, just try to find them or ask me i will send you the links)

As i can read you just want to avoid the fact that the Army and the democrat may also be as corrupted as the red ones.. Stop blind yourself, read the news, and not only The Nation...not my fault if you re glued on TV and forget to read the news everywhere else

BP 8 Nov - "Military Spearheads Cleanup" - "army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said the army is ready reduce its funding to help flood victims" ... That doesn't sound sad.

The budget doubled since 2006. That's 5 years. Last I checked, Abhisit was PM for 2 years. Most of the increase since 2006 was during the junta government, and it also increased during the PPP government. The military budget DID NOT double under Abhisit.

[Captain Haddock]

But the military budget did double! Even bread, eggs, milk and beer haven't gone up that much since 2006!

[rubl]

But the military budget did double! Even bread, eggs, milk and beer haven't gone up that much since 2006!

Your word against mine. Interesting discussion

(bold removed from quote)

Edited November 16, 2011 by rubl