Military Reshuffle List Has Been Submitted: Yingluck

[webfact]

Military reshuffle list has been submitted: Yingluck

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The annual military reshuffle list has already been submitted for royal endorsement, PM Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

"Upon completion of the name and rank checks, I have signed to approve the reshuffle list," Yingluck said, ending speculation the government may review the dispensing of military job assignments.

The speculation spread after Army chief of staff General Sirichai Distakul, seen as close to Pheu Thai Party, was slated to take a lesser position as Army assistant chief.

But Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat made a deal last week with military commanders, including Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Because of a dispute between Prayuth and his permanent-secretary General Sathien Permtong-in, Sukampol allowed Prayuth to have a complete say in lining up the Army's top echelons.

In exchange, Prayuth and top commanders agreed to stay out of the row, supporting the minister in reining in his permanent-secretary and defusing a government-military confrontation.

Since the ruling party came to power last year, Prayuth has reportedly been unhappy with the job performance of Sirichai.

Because of his personal ties, Sirichai appeared to have overlooked his military chain of command in order to facilitate government projects under the Internal Security Operations Command.

After the government formed the Coordinating Centre for Southern Border Provinces, it wanted to nominate Sirichai as secretary-general of the centre before consulting with Prayuth.

Last month the Army made a counter proposal via the Defence Council that Army deputy chief, Gen Dapong Ratanasuwan, should get the job in lieu of Sirichai.

In a face-saving move, the government instructed the Council of State to vet legal technicalities in connection with the centre before naming its secretary-general.

This year's key appointments are: First Army Region commander, Lt-General Udomdej Sitabutr, is slated for elevation to four-star general, becoming Army Chief of Staff to replace Sirichai. Udomdej's successor is Maj-General Paiboon Kumchaya, an ally of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra before and after the 2006 coup.

Maj-General Varit Rojanapakdi, injured in the crowd control operation in 2010, will become Army assistant chief of staff.

Two commanders of elite units, Maj General Pisit Sithisan of the First Infantry Division and Maj General Panuwat Nakwong, will both become deputy commanders of the First Army Region.

In the Ministry, General Thanongsak Apirakyothin, handpicked by Sukampol, will become permanent-secretary after Sathien's retirement this month. His two deputies are General ML Prasopchai Kasemsant and General Nipat Thonglek.

Before his promotion, Prasopchai played a vital role in advising Sukampol on the conscription records of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Nipat was instrumental in resolving the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

At the Supreme Command, Chief of Joint Staff General Worapong Sanganet is slated to be deputy supreme commander.

In the Navy, Admiral Damrongsak Haochareon is to become the deputy commander-in-chief. For the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong will replace Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong on his retirement.

Pending royal endorsement, the military rotations will take effect on October 1.

In a related development, Sathien has petitioned the Administrative Court to intervene on the military reshuffle list. He contends that Sukampol has failed to abide by prescribed procedures on the military rotations. Reacting to ongoing litigation, Prayuth said there was still time to complete the new line-up before the October 1 deadline if the court decides the list must be amended.

-- The Nation 2012-09-12

[asiawatcher]

Royal endorsement will be the telling point if the reshuffle is what really should be. This country cannot be accountable to police who are continually mired with corruption. The army is the last point of stability needed and certainly (preferably) an unbiased one if Thailand ever needs a big stick to pull rioters and insurgents back into line.

[MikeOboe57]

Before his promotion, Prasopchai played a vital role in advising Sukampol on the conscription records of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva

His promotion should of course not be seen as a reward for his participation in political mudslinging.

[theblether]

@asiawatcher......correct. The Military Police were used to undermine police corruption in Chiang Mai. CM police now know they are constant surveillance, and there has been a crack down on the entertainment trade.

Instead of treating the beer bars like a cash cow, the army has forced the police into applying the licensing laws. This is a prime example of the power of the military.

It's also a disgrace that it's necessary

[jerrysteve]

Let the Music Begin Edited September 12, 2012 by jerrysteve

[Unkomoncents]

But Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat made a deal last week with military commanders, including Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Because of a dispute between Prayuth and his permanent-secretary General Sathien Permtong-in, Sukampol allowed Prayuth to have a complete say in lining up the Army's top echelons.

Of course you did Khun Yingluck. If Mr. Chan-ocha did not (was "allowed" to [in political parlance]) have a complete say, the coup d'etat that ousted your brother wouldn't have had any teeth.

Edited September 12, 2012 by Unkomoncents

[phiphidon]

Royal endorsement will be the telling point if the reshuffle is what really should be. This country cannot be accountable to police who are continually mired with corruption. The army is the last point of stability needed and certainly (preferably) an unbiased one if Thailand ever needs a big stick to pull rioters and insurgents back into line.

Ah yes, the unbiased military, whose Army Chief Prayuth has been backing up the lies of its soldier snipers in ongoing investigations, who urged the Thai people to vote for the "good people of the country", who

"dismissed beliefs that the military was interfering in politics, saying the Army was required to follow government orders and to ensure national security and stability".

http://www.nationmul...a-30139553.html

Interfere in politics, oh no, not Prayuth and his officers, he just threatens the government until he gets his way, and Stability?

"The government has never relied on me and they have never requested me for anything ... They do not have to ask soldiers for favours; it's the soldiers' duty to do their job."

As for whether a coup can solve problems or create ones, Prayuth said society should think about that. "I'm not in the position to say if it's good or bad, or how it was in the past. I want to see a new start for the future."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/10/07/politics/Prayuth-Coup-never-my-idea-30139553.html

Let's just say that Prayuth and stability are not aquainted. But if you'd rather be governed by a military Junta, there's still a representative version of that over in Burma.................

[h90]

@asiawatcher......correct. The Military Police were used to undermine police corruption in Chiang Mai. CM police now know they are constant surveillance, and there has been a crack down on the entertainment trade.

Instead of treating the beer bars like a cash cow, the army has forced the police into applying the licensing laws. This is a prime example of the power of the military.

It's also a disgrace that it's necessary

But the CM governor got already moved so things should go back to normal, or?