'Big Tik' or 'Big Moo' for new Thai Army chief?

[webfact]

'Big Tik' or 'Big Moo' for new Army chief?
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- DEFENCE Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has pushed for assistant Army chief General Thirachai Nakwanich to succeed the current chief, Udomdej Sitabutr, in the annual military reshuffle, a source said yesterday.

Prawit reportedly asked Udomdej, who is also deputy defence minister, to propose Thirachai as the new Army chief because of his qualifications and suitability. Also Thirachai is a member of the Burapayak clique of Queen's Guards led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Prawit himself.

Apart from Thirachai, Prayut's younger brother, assistant Army chief General Preecha Chan-o-cha, nicknamed Big Tik, has emerged as another front-runner candidate.

Prawit, however, supports Thirachai as the best candidate for the post, saying that if Preecha were picked, the prime minister could be attacked for hand-picking his own brother to inherit his previous role in the Army, the source said.

Prawit is known as having a close bond with Thirachai, nicknamed Big Moo.

The post of Army chief is key in supporting the military regime's stated goal of restoring peace and order. The PM may cite this reason to push for his own brother for the top Army position.

If Thirachai is appointed as the new Army chief, Preecha is likely to be appointed as Defence Ministry permanent secretary.

Whom Udomdej picks to be the next in line to lead the Army will depend on several factors including knowledge, ability and suitability as well as the candidates' clout and acceptance by subordinates.

Udomdej has to present a list of candidates for Army chief to a committee headed by the defence minister to make a final decision and then seek the PM's approval.

To prevent charges of nepotism from the public over the choice of candidates, Prawit will call a meeting of military top brass next month to discuss this year's annual military reshuffle. Up to 466 military officials are due to retire in September.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Big-Tik-or-Big-Moo-for-new-Army-chief-30262486.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-17

[smutcakes]

So it would look bad on Prayuth if his brother was picked.. well of course it would. So instead Khun Prawit is pushing the head of the army to pick Khun Moo, a member of the same faction as Prawit, someone with close relationship with Khun Prawit, and as the other paper put it his protege....

So definitely nothing wrong with that either then.......

[jaidam]

Something Pythonesque about the chaps name, Biggus Tikkus.

[NongKhaiKid]

How about just calling it Big Joke ?

[smutcakes]

I thought the plan was to try and reduce the amount of influence Government had in the succession of these type of things...

[tx22cb]

I don't know either candidate, but conceptually I would say that the PM's brother would be better.

Anyone else as the next Army chief would be a puppet, because they would be too petrified of the PM's temper.

But a brother is never scared of another brother, and would not be afraid to freely speak his mind with his brother.

[Somtamnication]

By big, are we talking mm or cm?

[Srikcir]

"If Thirachai is appointed as the new Army chief, Preecha is likely to be appointed as Defence Ministry permanent secretary."

It's sad to see that the Thai government will continue to be an extension for the Thai military instead of being representative of the Thai people's sovereignty. General Prayut could take the opportunity to appoint a civilian to DFPS but that might invite too many political uncertainties.

There can be only one supreme sovereignty and the military holds it "lock, stock and barrel."

Welcome to the Junta's Roadmap to Facism.

[joebrown]

"Whom Udomdej picks to be the next in line to lead the Army will depend on several factors including knowledge, ability and suitability as well as the candidates' clout and acceptance by subordinates"

Udomjej might recommend, but the PM will have the final say, and if anyone thinks it's nepotism, well it's "tough s##t' because I'm in charge'!

[elgordo38]

I don't know either candidate, but conceptually I would say that the PM's brother would be better.

Anyone else as the next Army chief would be a puppet, because they would be too petrified of the PM's temper.

But a brother is never scared of another brother, and would not be afraid to freely speak his mind with his brother.

Brothers of a feather flock together is that right? hmm no sorry its birds.

[JOC]

Time for a guy with balls to lead the army, so Big Moo gets my vote!!

Edited June 17, 2015 by JOC

[Fat Haggis]

How about just appoint someone who isn't an eastern tiger to prove there's transparency and no abuse of power, or nepotism?

There's more chance of the Thai Space Shuttle Flight school giving free flights around Uranus then the above happening !!

[lvr181]

Maybe a lot of this speculation revolves around Ur_anus?

[h90]

So it would look bad on Prayuth if his brother was picked.. well of course it would. So instead Khun Prawit is pushing the head of the army to pick Khun Moo, a member of the same faction as Prawit, someone with close relationship with Khun Prawit, and as the other paper put it his protege....

So definitely nothing wrong with that either then.......

No one complained when Thaksin but his brother(?) in a top army position (can't recall, boss?)

[Fat Haggis]

Maybe a lot of this speculation revolves around Ur_anus?

What speculation ? That they're NOT Eastern Tigers?

facts, both are eastern tigers and if you did some research you would see so many connections about coups past and current, and just how powerful this clique really is, then you might not be talking out Uranus 5555 ?

[mmh8]

if I were the junta and I had this choice and there were no measures in place to stop me from doing what ever I want to do, what would I do? -- scratch chin and affect pensive look

[Fat Haggis]

So it would look bad on Prayuth if his brother was picked.. well of course it would. So instead Khun Prawit is pushing the head of the army to pick Khun Moo, a member of the same faction as Prawit, someone with close relationship with Khun Prawit, and as the other paper put it his protege....

So definitely nothing wrong with that either then.......

No one complained when Thaksin but his brother(?) in a top army position (can't recall, boss?)

Thaksin tried to diminish the power the eastern tigers held within the Army, but failed, but you missed the point about nepotism and abuses of power, you know, the little thing that actually got yingkuck removed from office through the courts.

just a change of snouts in the trough, all the old habits of regimes past are still there for all to see, it's just gone from yellow, to red to green, same antics just different colours ?

[Artisi]

By big, are we talking mm or cm?

Length or girth?

[chickenslegs]

Who will be the next RTA Chief?

Will it be Big Tik or Big Moo?

Edited June 17, 2015 by chickenslegs

[lvr181]

Seriously, posters on this speculation have a 50:50 chance of getting it right.

Settle down and buy a lottery ticket while they are still 80BHT if you can find one. This course of action may bring a better and more meaningful result

[ChrisY1]

My money's on "Wingnut"!!.....keep the family tradition going...who cares if he's qualified or not.....?