Men in uniform keep country in suspense: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Men in uniform keep country in suspense
The Nation

The military's every move is being scrutinised and interpreted, but confusion over their role in the current crisis reflects a new era of Thai politics

BANGKOK: -- The most unpredictable character in Thai politics now must be the military. A hero? A villain? Somewhere in between? They say the end justifies the means, but the problem here is that the whole thing is still far from over. Following the infamous coup of 2006 came suspicions of military manoeuvring in late 2008 to prop up the Abhisit government. Then the flood disaster in 2011 turned the image around. And just a few days ago, generals swapped their uniforms for suits and ties to play conspicuous host to anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

The red shirts have tried to keep their distance from the armed forces by blaming the violent crackdown on 2010's street protests squarely on then prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban. Former Army chief Anupong Paochinda has rarely been mentioned by the red shirts. Nevertheless, they still view the armed forces with great suspicion.

To the Western media, the Thai military is a negative force being used to undermine democracy. Among local media, opinions are split, reflecting the Thai public's polarised views. Adding confusion to the armed forces' status among Thais is that the men in uniform were not necessarily adored or admired in the past by those calling for their "intervention" now.

Everything the military says or does at the moment is being closely scrutinised and widely interpreted. The recent refusal to actively defend government property besieged by protesters sparked an outcry that the generals once again were opting to withdraw support from a "democratically-elected" administration. The Supreme Command's decision to host a recent forum featuring anti-government leader Suthep fuelled the doubts. Then the Defence permanent secretary's statement that the military fully backed the scheduled February 2 election compounded the confusion.

Perhaps, like everything else in Thai politics, the generals are a coin with two different sides. The era of "black and white" in Thai politics is long gone. Opinion polls have even shown that a large number of Thais doubt the planned election will bring about genuine political reform and true peace. That is by no means a resounding "No" to democracy, but it is, in effect, a remarkable change of attitude from the old days when nothing stood between dictatorship and election.

The 2006 coup amounted to anything but a straightforward flop. If dislodging Thaksin Shinawatra from power could be considered a success, failing to keep him quiet was not. And that is from the pro-coup perspective only. To the anti-coup camp, the military was morally, professionally, politically and ethically wrong. That the leader of the coup, ex-Army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, admitted his mistake, came under the ruling Pheu Thai Party's shadow and advocated an amnesty for Thaksin was a damning demonstration of what went bad with this power seizure.

There will be more controversies, as everything is hanging in the balance at the moment. Some say the military is "resisting pressure" to take action, while the others insist "opportunistic" generals are always lurking in the background, poised to pounce. We don't know which camp is right, nor do we know which camp is equipped with a better understanding of the Thai power play.

Thai politics is complicated. But that much is, ironically, "simple". Either the military makes it more so, or politics is complicating the life of the generals. We can't really tell, at least for now.


-- The Nation 2013-12-21

[chainarong]

The roll of the military is defence and security of a country, not meddle in political policy , they are employed in Thailand's case, by the crown , therefore the supreme commander is HRH, that in a nut shell should speak for itself , their mandate is to the elected government and in a democracy that is where the orders come from, they do not interfere in the day to day running of the country, now to the retired war mongers and current commanders , what do you not understand.

[JRSoul]

The roll of the military is defence and security of a country, not meddle in political policy , they are employed in Thailand's case, by the crown , therefore the supreme commander is HRH, that in a nut shell should speak for itself , their mandate is to the elected government and in a democracy that is where the orders come from, they do not interfere in the day to day running of the country, now to the retired war mongers and current commanders , what do you not understand.

Warmongers? do you even know what it means?

[noitom]

The secret code of the Thai military. Who can interpret their signals? They have a secret sign language that only the privileged can decode. Boy oh boy, these the Thai military, they are something else.

[Nibbles48]

The red shirts have tried to keep their distance from the armed forces by blaming the violent crackdown on 2010's street protests squarely on then prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban. Former Army chief Anupong Paochinda has rarely been mentioned by the red shirts. Nevertheless, they still view the armed forces with great suspicion.

Those charges were brought by the AG who had just been installed by Thaksin / Yingluck for this exact purpose with the help of the DSI.

This was all done a week before the second reading of the amnesty bill. Half knowing that there were going to be big problems, it also kept the military clean so they would hopefully show their gratitude by being more supportive of the Thaksin regime.

Oh how the red shirts and military allow themselves to be manipulated.

Edited December 21, 2013 by Nibbles48

[tezzainoz]

The roll of the military is defence and security of a country, not meddle in political policy , they are employed in Thailand's case, by the crown , therefore the supreme commander is HRH, that in a nut shell should speak for itself , their mandate is to the elected government and in a democracy that is where the orders come from, they do not interfere in the day to day running of the country, now to the retired war mongers and current commanders , what do you not understand.

In your own words " security of a country"

soif the country is heading for a civil war, then it is the military job to defend the security of the country

Yes a glass can be half full or half empty

Just how you look at the matter

[atsiii]

There is no question in my mind that the rich and elite control the officer corps of the military. The USA made more than 300 millionaire generals during the 60's and 70's, and they have gone on from there. But the rank-and-file--as in most countries--are mostly the poor and rural kids. Controlling the officer corps should not be confused with "knowing for sure" what will happen if one orders the rank-and-file to fire upon their own families. The rich & elite CO's should not be so sure they will "follow orders."

[Thai at Heart]

There is no question in my mind that the rich and elite control the officer corps of the military. The USA made more than 300 millionaire generals during the 60's and 70's, and they have gone on from there. But the rank-and-file--as in most countries--are mostly the poor and rural kids. Controlling the officer corps should not be confused with "knowing for sure" what will happen if one orders the rank-and-file to fire upon their own families. The rich & elite CO's should not be so sure they will "follow orders."

Thailand has the best army anyone can buy.

Money talks at the end of the day. Whoever offers the best deal and future job prospects wins.

[hansnl]

The roll of the military is defence and security of a country, not meddle in political policy , they are employed in Thailand's case, by the crown , therefore the supreme commander is HRH, that in a nut shell should speak for itself , their mandate is to the elected government and in a democracy that is where the orders come from, they do not interfere in the day to day running of the country, now to the retired war mongers and current commanders , what do you not understand.

It would help to read the Thai constitution and find out what the role of the armed forces is.

There are constitutions in the world that see and mention the armed forces as the keepers of the country.

Do not look at those constitutions with western eyes, with western values.

What do you not understand?

[smedly]

The roll of the military is defence and security of a country, not meddle in political policy , they are employed in Thailand's case, by the crown , therefore the supreme commander is HRH, that in a nut shell should speak for itself , their mandate is to the elected government and in a democracy that is where the orders come from, they do not interfere in the day to day running of the country, now to the retired war mongers and current commanders , what do you not understand.

I agree with most of what you said but one point you overlook - when the sitting government becomes so incompetent - deceitful - corrupt - abusive - above the law - compulsive liars and ignoring the courts - how can you expect any body such as the army to take orders or be directed by them -

there is the problem in one fine paragraph

and not to forget the Jewel in the crown of dysfunction - being lead by a convicted criminal on the run abroad who refuses to face up to his convictions in the country he governs with his dirty money

yeh we have a normal democracy in Thailand - it's the model of Asia.......not

[belg]

how many generals thailand has

how much do they cost & what is their real power

[smedly]

how many generals thailand has

how much do they cost & what is their real power

we generally associate coups as something bad - history tells us that because there have been quite a few bad ones - it's a bad word but perhaps not always bad meaning

In Thailand I wouldn't be too fast at calling a coup bad - I try to think out of the box, a coup in Thailand isn't really a coup as we generally understand it, it's almost like the teacher losing control of the class and the headmaster stepping in to create some order when no other options are possible - it could be the teachers fault or it could be the kids but either way 3rd party intervention was required

coup - maybe not in the true sense of the word - recent history in Thailand tells us that the last so called coup was to restore order, it wasn't a military take over with some mad general wanting to rule the world, it was simply some people who are powerful but neutral saying - lets restore some order here please, unfortunately it isn't always enough to stop it happening again

abuse of power must be stopped - it is very clear that PTP and the uneducated reds think that because they win an election it gives them the right to do as they please answering to no-one, while that ethic remains Thailand will remain in this cycle of required intervention

and can I just add one more thing

They (the press) keep referring to MP's as.......Law Makers - I don't know what the Thai interpretation is but it is completely sending the wrong message - They are MP's not law makers or law destroyers - just MP's

[redutedog1]

Maybe the best thing to happen if the Military move in

This country has been going to Hell for about 25 years now

really no one wants it to get any worse

I Admit there are a LOT of foreigners doing NO good too

so he is your chance Military move in for 3 years clean up the druggies and the foreign Mafia and con men , Stop all these foreigners owning beer bars

Would be a good start

take back what belongs to the thai people

[kirk0233]

It is ridiculous to think that the military can clean up anything. It is one of the most corrupt institutions in Thailand. Do any of you think Suthep thought up all of his crazy antics himself? The military with the help of influential others is using Suthep to create enough of an emergency to require a military intervention to reinstall the loyal subjects, the democrats, as the leading party and at the same time institute changes that are favorable to the military in the constitution, such as amnesty for 2010. PT as a peoples party is too much of a threat to the traditional institutions in Thailand. A political crisis has to occur in order for the military intervention to appear legitimate locally and internationally. The military can silence trouble makers with lese majeste. The system provides a brilliant way to maintain military control of the country and silence critics while the lapdog democrats provide a democratic cover for the true powers behind the scene.