Thai Army Reform Is Essential And Overdue

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Army reform is essential and overdue

Pravit Rojanaphruk

BANGKOK: -- After 18 "successful" military coups over the past eight decades, it would be unwise at best to relegate the last one into the dustbin of Thai history.

Today, six years after the September 19, 2006 coup, no respectable public figures would dare rule out a future military adventure.

Six years on, no generals have been prosecuted for the 2006 coup. None of the coup makers and very few of the coup supporters has publicly expressed any sense of contrition.

Many of those who supported the coup continue to cling to the notion of a "good coup" as a quick fix for Thailand's political ills, not realising that the coup itself is part of those political ills.

As a matter of fact, these people later criticised the September 19 coup makers for not being "decisive" or competent enough in uprooting the influence of Thaksin Shinawatra, the megalomaniac prime minister ousted by the coup and later convicted of corruption under circumstances compromised by the junta-appointed Asset Examination Committee.

Six years on, many coup supporters continue to long for yet another "perfect coup" supposedly to clean up corruption and dirty politics once and for all - but what about corruption and undue influence within the Army itself?

This underlies the belief that those perceived as "good people" can do no wrong and don't need to be scrutinised or submit to the same rules as the rest. Thus staging a coup, which is unconstitutional, is "acceptable" and even "preferable" to these people because the coup makers are supposedly a bunch of good fellows.

At the same time, such a problematic ethos enables coup supporters to justify the illegal nullification of the millions of votes of the majority of the electorate who supported Thaksin, because they argue that since he is bad and these people kept voting for him, they must either be bad or foolish, or both.

Six years on, there exists no reform of the Army that would make it a truly disciplined and professional force under civilian rule, divorced from political interference. Instead, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha continues to comment on politics at a whim while journalists ask him every now and then if there will be yet another coup.

The Army continues to own two of the six free-television stations, 60 per cent of the radio airwaves, and significant shares in TMB Bank (formerly Thai Military Bank) with little questioning or resistance from society at large. One wonders how many armies in supposedly democratic societies wield such power and influence.

Also, the Army's role in the bloody 2010 crackdown continues to escape penalty. Even the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand, which was created by then-premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, admitted that access to Army personnel for questioning over its role in the crackdown - which led to more than 90 deaths and 2,000 injuries on both sides, but mostly red shirts - had been restricted.

Given such circumstances, reform of the Army is imperative and long overdue. Thailand needs a sustained campaign to reform the Army. The pro-coup mentality must be widely debated and confronted.

Only a comprehensive reform of the Army, and widespread opposition and condemnation of the "quick-fix" mentality of the so-called "good people" that created more problems than it solved, can put an end to the status of Thailand as a permanent hostage to the military.

The status of Thailand as one of the most coup-addicted nations on Earth is not something to be proud of and Thai society has only itself to blame.

Quiet as it may be for the time being, one coup supporter recently told this writer that in the next coup, the Army would not only raid TV stations, but would shut down Internet access as well, as more and more critical political debate and networking were taking place online.

-- The Nation 2012-09-19

[WhizBang]

While there are problems with the army, I think Police reform would be of higher urgency as the police are actually the largest criminal organization in Thailand.

[Roadman]

While there are problems with the army, I think Police reform would be of higher urgency as the police are actually the largest criminal organization in Thailand.

Agree but it also needs to include a safe constitution (where senior judicary positions are not appointed by sitting governments that think they have the right to be above the law) and corruption dealt with. But as you pointed out when the police response is to who they are kowtowing to then the citizens have no rights protector and enforcer.

While the Army reform is overdue until such time as the police, the constitution, corruption and the people being elected to govern actually have a "what I can do for Thailand instead of how much can I graft" are dealt to then it is going to be bussiness as usual with the Army which given some of the lowlife that are sitting in or managing government from Dubai trying to move to their version of democracy populst dictatorship then good on the Army.

[Thai at Heart]

While there are problems with the army, I think Police reform would be of higher urgency as the police are actually the largest criminal organization in Thailand.

Agree but it also needs to include a safe constitution (where senior judicary positions are not appointed by sitting governments that think they have the right to be above the law) and corruption dealt with. But as you pointed out when the police response is to who they are kowtowing to then the citizens have no rights protector and enforcer.

While the Army reform is overdue until such time as the police, the constitution, corruption and the people being elected to govern actually have a "what I can do for Thailand instead of how much can I graft" are dealt to then it is going to be bussiness as usual with the Army which given some of the lowlife that are sitting in or managing government from Dubai trying to move to their version of democracy populst dictatorship then good on the Army.

So much to do and so little time.

Courts, constitution, army, police, civil service, parliament itself.

Is there any public organisation in the country that isn't tainted?

[chainarong]

The whole <deleted> place needs reform, lets start with kickin the Generals out of key government positions. I'd like to see that.

[Morgo]

Why would the army raid TV stations during the next coup, don't they own the stations?

[FarangTalk]

So much to do and so little time.

Courts, constitution, army, police, civil service, parliament itself.

Is there any public organisation in the country that isn't tainted?

The problem, as you rightly point out, is sadly with the whole society and culture.

[rics21]

This is a sensitive topic. Too sensitive...

Sent from my XT910 using Thaivisa Connect App

[OzMick]

Surely there must be some relative of Thaksin's who can take control of the RTA and sort out this mess.

[asiawatcher]

"None of the coup makers and very few of the coup supporters has publicly expressed any sense of contrition."

Why would they - they got rid of a problem that was the king of corruption who still has no remorse.

[ramrod711]

There is no room for a coup in a democracy, we will never know how events may have unfolded if the electorate had been left to decide Thaksins fate. Probably safe to say that red shirts would not have mobilised and that most of the deaths would not have occurred. As long as the army can escape punishment of any kind by changing the constitution Thailand will struggle.

[SICHONSTEVE]

While there are problems with the army, I think Police reform would be of higher urgency as the police are actually the largest criminal organization in Thailand.

Think!!!!!!!!

[BrianCR]

The whole <deleted> place needs reform, lets start with kickin the Generals out of key government positions. I'd like to see that.

Well that would make sense

[BrianCR]

Surely there must be some relative of Thaksin's who can take control of the RTA and sort out this mess.

Get a life - please!!!

[BrianCR]

There is no room for a coup in a democracy, we will never know how events may have unfolded if the electorate had been left to decide Thaksins fate. Probably safe to say that red shirts would not have mobilised and that most of the deaths would not have occurred. As long as the army can escape punishment of any kind by changing the constitution Thailand will struggle.

What the hell are you talking about? Look at the elections since the bitches did their " I am Thai" and farmers don't count coup

[BrianCR]

"None of the coup makers and very few of the coup supporters has publicly expressed any sense of contrition."

Why would they - they got rid of a problem that was the king of corruption who still has no remorse.

Are you really living here????

[philw]

"None of the coup makers and very few of the coup supporters has publicly expressed any sense of contrition."

Why would they - they got rid of a problem that was the king of corruption who still has no remorse.

Refresh my memory, are you the poster who was quite often describing shooting deaths of red shirts " Som Non Na " ??

Was it you or somebody else ??

[nurofiend]

While there are problems with the army, I think Police reform would be of higher urgency as the police are actually the largest criminal organization in Thailand.

i would say both of course need reform, but considering the power that the military hold in politics, i would put the army as the more urgent of the two in need of reform for the stability of the country.

[hellodolly]

"None of the coup makers and very few of the coup supporters has publicly expressed any sense of contrition."

Why would they - they got rid of a problem that was the king of corruption who still has no remorse.

Forget all his actions while in power. He was not the duly authorized Prime Minister when the army came in. He was trying to set up a dictatorship with himself at the head of it.

Just look at his actions since being out of office is that really the type of man to rule Thailand. If the army hadn't stopped him who would have. Thailand would now be a bankrupt country and Thaksin would be one of the richest men in the world.

[hellodolly]

There is no two ways about it the Army needs reforming.

The Government need reforming.

The Police need reforming.

But until the police are reformed the Army is the only real protection we have. Witness the Police actions in 2010. Cower at home.

During the floods last year I saw Army personal working to help stranded people. I saw no police action what so ever.

Yes reform them they like any big organization have rotten apples but when we need protection such as 2010 they are all we have. Yes No general should be in Government.