Ministry defends special recruitment of civilian

[webfact]

Ministry defends special recruitment of civilian



BANGKOK: -- The Defence Ministry yesterday clarified that the special recruitment of the son of the ministry's permanent secretary Gen Preecha Chan-o-cha to military service followed official procedure and based on its required qualification.

Clarification from the ministry spokesperson Maj Gen Kongcheep Tantravanich came as a secret order appointing Patipat Chan-ocha, 25, to the military service was leaked and went viral on the social media questioning it might be inappropriate and might breach the ministry’s regulations.

Under the order signed by his father Gen Preecha, Patipat was given sub lieutenant rank and will receive
15,000 baht per month for his position in the civilian affairs department of the Third Region Army.

The spokesman said the recruitment followed official procedure and was based on the qualification of the field required.

It was rather a freedom in choosing a job, he said and would like this not to be made a political issue.

He said some critics called the armed force a private company, but it is not.

A private company has an owner who can appoint anyone to work, but the armed force is not but open wide to any applicant who wants to serve the country, he said.

He said there are three ways in recruiting an applicant to military service.

Recruitment of civilians to military service in non commissioned and commissioned rank is generally open to public through sitting in examinations.

But recruiting civilian in special field of job such as a scientist or a specialist in language is not open to public, but on special consideration by the defence minister or his authorised official, he said.

Earlier Gen Preecha defended the recruitment of his son saying his son graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.

He said when he saw there’s a vacant position, he then put him to work in it.

“Many people in the army do it. It’s not like only my son does it. That’s all,” Isra News quoted Gen Preecha as saying in an interview.

Isra News which was first to run the news said under the memo marked “secret” and signed by Gen Preecha – Patipat will receive 15,000 baht per month for his position in the civilian affairs department of the Third Region Army.

It is the same unit that Gen Preecha commanded until 2014.

Patipat recently graduated with a degree in mass communication.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/159899


-- Thai PBS 2016-04-18

[Plutojames88]

I see no wrong .

It's standard military government .

We know where to find them at least when they loose power.

And having them out in the open and accountable is good.

Give their family positions.

All sides do it.

This is only predictable .

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

But recruiting civilian in special field of job such as a scientist or a specialist in language is not open to public, but on special consideration by the defence minister or his authorised official, he said.

So just what exact "special" skills or experience does this young guy have that merits him getting appointed to an Army job without having to sit for it and compete via an open exams/application process?

There's apparently only one answer to that, and that has to do with his last/family name.

[smedly]

I guess it shows how far behind western standards Thailand really is

A job like that should be advertised and open to any applicant that fills the criteria and the best candidate selected for the position after all applicants have gone through a fair and proven selection process

but TiT

[leeneeds]

nepotism is alive and well,

what else can you read into it?

[sjaak327]

But but these are the good guys, this cannot be true !

Maybe they indeed aren't any better than the bad guys...

[heybruce]

He has a degree in Mass Communication. In Thailand that is the degree students get if they don't want to study hard and they're not worried about work after university.

[phoenixdoglover]

This is not the private sector, where you can just appoint your son to a cushy position.

This is the Thai Army, where you can appoint your son to a cushy position.

[clockman]

Mass Communication, well they they love the sound of there own voices!

[mtls2005]

Bob's your uncle.

[simon43]

“Many people in the army do it. It’s not like only my son does it. That’s all,” Isra News quoted Gen Preecha as saying in an interview.

Isra News which was first to run the news said under the memo marked “secret” and signed by Gen Preecha.....

Well, if Preecha is saying that many people do it etc etc, why was the memo marked 'secret'?

[kimamey]

He has a degree in Mass Communication. In Thailand that is the degree students get if they don't want to study hard and they're not worried about work after university.

I'm 61 and never went to university so I don't really understand all this. Is Mass Communication to do with movement of mass, basically a truck driver. Or is it to do with Facebook and Twitter.

[worgeordie]

"Mass communications", so is he going to be put in charge of

The Great firewall of Thailand.

regards Worgeordie

[Pimay1]

“Many people in the army do it.

Many people also rob banks.

[skildpadden]

He has a degree in Mass Communication. In Thailand that is the degree students get if they don't want to study hard and they're not worried about work after university.

I'm 61 and never went to university so I don't really understand all this. Is Mass Communication to do with movement of mass, basically a truck driver. Or is it to do with Facebook and Twitter.

I think it means he is really good at Candy Crush

[kimamey]

He has a degree in Mass Communication. In Thailand that is the degree students get if they don't want to study hard and they're not worried about work after university.

I'm 61 and never went to university so I don't really understand all this. Is Mass Communication to do with movement of mass, basically a truck driver. Or is it to do with Facebook and Twitter.

I think it means he is really good at Candy Crush

I've never played that but I'm sure there must be a lot of other potential candidates judging by how popular it is.

Is that what the police play in their tents rather than deal the carnage on the roads.

[simon43]

Do you think this junta has secretly acquired 'Not The Nation'? I can no longer tell whether these types of news story are true or total batsh*t fantasy

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

Do you think this junta has secretly acquired 'Not The Nation'? I can no longer tell whether these types of news story are true or total batsh*t fantasy

Unfortunately its true and will get worst after the dear great leader appoints himself as PM (for life) and his buddies as senators.

[scorecard]

He has a degree in Mass Communication. In Thailand that is the degree students get if they don't want to study hard and they're not worried about work after university.

I'm 61 and never went to university so I don't really understand all this. Is Mass Communication to do with movement of mass, basically a truck driver. Or is it to do with Facebook and Twitter.

Google is your friend.

[JAG]

Presumably this newly commissioned "sub lieutenant" has passed the demanding officers selection board, followed by a rigorous intensive training course at the appropriate military academy. He will now be gaining valuable professional experience leading his platoon in action against the insurgents in the south. I'm sure his father (as a professional combat experienced General Officer - look at all his medals and badges) is really proud of him.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Do you think this junta has secretly acquired 'Not The Nation'? I can no longer tell whether these types of news story are true or total batsh*t fantasy

I believe the correct approach these days is that anytime you read news that you're certain is batsh&*t fantasy, then you can pretty well assume it's in fact true.

[Petchou]

I guess it shows how far behind western standards Thailand really is

A job like that should be advertised and open to any applicant that fills the criteria and the best candidate selected for the position after all applicants have gone through a fair and proven selection process

but TiT

The same is happening every day in Western countries, old school friends, network of people from same political parties, friends, family members are offered jobs even when an apparent transparent process is in place. It's just an illusion of this not happening in West.

This said, I am not in agreement with this way of doing things.

[greenchair]

Can he speak English ?

Did he pass the toeic as is required for government positions these days ?

We all remember when taksin got his daughter the entry into Chulalongkorn uni for media studies . The required grade was 2.75 , but his daughter did not have that grade. The people complained that she might have taken the position from someone less fortunate. There were protests (which were allowed at that time ) her family did the right thing and removed her to her rightful programme. It's not possible to keep this stuff secret from the taxpaying public these days. Hehe ????

[candide]

Another thread that Junta's fans will avoid like hell!

[heybruce]

Presumably this newly commissioned "sub lieutenant" has passed the demanding officers selection board, followed by a rigorous intensive training course at the appropriate military academy. He will now be gaining valuable professional experience leading his platoon in action against the insurgents in the south. I'm sure his father (as a professional combat experienced General Officer - look at all his medals and badges) is really proud of him.

[Jim walker]

absolutly disgracefull behaviour we can only hope he is made up to general after one month of graft as rank is not very important in the thai goverment / army

[smutcakes]

I guess it shows how far behind western standards Thailand really is

A job like that should be advertised and open to any applicant that fills the criteria and the best candidate selected for the position after all applicants have gone through a fair and proven selection process

but TiT

The same is happening every day in Western countries, old school friends, network of people from same political parties, friends, family members are offered jobs even when an apparent transparent process is in place. It's just an illusion of this not happening in West.

This said, I am not in agreement with this way of doing things.

For me its not the act of it happening which is the issue, everyone knows it goes on everywhere in all countries. The fact that people are making a big deal out of it, is because this Govt came to power saying they would tackle nepotism etc. It was apparent from early on with the NCPO and its appointed bodies that this was not the case.

The fact that the previous PM was also kicked out for nepotism makes it all the more hypocritical. You can be sure the NACC or which agency will lack the urge they previously felt to investigate matters like this.

The concerning issue for me is that unless they are all marked secret, they must have delibrately known it was not a good move and still went ahead with it. Either they think they would not be found out, or more worryingly they have got to the stage where they dont care, and they will just ride these issues out.

It is going to be very difficult to turn around in the future and complain when other Governments do the same thing. They should be setting an example, and for the sake of 15K per month as well. You would of thought they would have just thought no not at the moment, but perhaps they are far detached from public sentiment.

Having said that i have no idea if the prevailing views on TVF are representative among the Thai population.

[Eric Loh]

His appointment as a commissioned lieutenant if offensive to those who went through the basic military training, trained and passed the officer cadet course and taken his oath of office. A real disgrace to the armed force.

[Khun Paul]

His degree means he can talk to more than one person at a time. 15000 a month for that OMG

[Jonmarleesco]

'... Gen Preecha defended the recruitment of his son saying his son graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.' Big deal. We're in Thailand, where degrees are often ten a penny ... or less. .;

'Patipat recently graduated with a degree in mass communication.' Still, if he is any good, the NCPO might just listen. And might just benefit.