Col Sansern Still Thai Army's Public Face

[webfact]

Col Sansern still Army's public face

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd is still leader of the Thai Army's public relations team despite widespread reports the Army had sidelined him to please the red shirts, an Army spokesperson confirmed yesterday.

The Army's team of spokesmen, led by Colonel Sirichan Nga-thong, Colonel Wintai Suwaree and Lieutenant Colonel Wanchana Sawasdee issued a united statement today denying reports the leader of their team had been removed.

Colonel Sirichan said Sansern remains their leader even though he has not been seen publicly lately. He has been busy with many changes in responsibility, such as director of the philosophy operations department, and other projects which required him to travel upcountry a lot. However, she said he's still in charge of the team, to co-operate with or distribute its work to other spokespersons.

She also explained that all spokespersons had specific roles as the team divides up its work. Colonel Wintai's regular appearances are not unusual as he's in charge of explaining any issue related to the current news.

"The Army didn't try to reduce Sansern's activities for the red-shirts' satisfaction. Also he didn't feel inferior for not being made major-general, as was widely reported in the news," Sirichan said.

Col Sansern became well known as spokesman for the Centre of the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) during red-shirt protests in 2010. His popularity grew, especially among women, during his frequent TV appearances announcing official policy during the political crisis. With his sense of humour and personality, he became one of the hottest on-screen superstars in 2010.

-- The Nation 2012-06-27

[theblether]

It's amazing to think that he became a celebrity and a sex idol during the riots and deaths of 2010.

What were the announcements? "Today we shot dead 36 civilians, but don't worry, I got my delivery of Calvin Klein briefs".

As long as the army are a feature of Thai politics it's not a democracy.

[Arkady]

"The Army didn't try to reduce Sansern's activities for the red-shirts' satisfaction. Also he didn't feel inferior for not being made major-general, as was widely reported in the news," Sirichan said.

Why did he not make major-general? He seems to be very model of a modern major-general in true Pirates of Penzanze style.

On the other hand, if he is a full colonel, he would normally have to be a brigadier before major-general.

[billd766]

Out of curiosity I went to Wiki and looked it up there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_ranks_of_the_Thai_armed_forces

It depends on his current rank, if he was just a Colonal the next step is a senior Colnel.

If he is that already the next rank is indeed a Major Geberal.

[phiphidon]

It is indeed a huge suprise he hasn't been promoted to the higher echelons. He always managed to answer even the most awkward questions as demonstrated in this interview with the The Nations hard hitting journalists, Budsarakham Sinlapalavan and Nathapat Promkaew. No wonder he got confused about whether the soldiers had killed anybody, he had other things on his mind.

C'mon everybody let's see,

"What's inside the bag of Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd"

http://www.nationmul...ateid=6&id=3031

Edited June 27, 2012 by phiphidon