Thai Government Says Unruly Students Engaged in Brawls May be Conscripted into Military Service

[rooster59]

Thai Government Says Unruly Students Engaged in Brawls May be Conscripted into Military Service

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Military Government the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is now considering whether they can blacklist unruly students and draft them into military service in another attempt to quell student violence.

The idea of the (NCPO) came as student violent brawls with innocent people being victimised continued despite recent invocation of Section 44 of the interim constitution by the prime minister to deal toughly with the long and ongoing student violence.

NCPO spokesman Col Piyapong Klinpan disclosed after the meeting on administrative reform chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan that the meeting has came up with an idea to blacklist students who are engaged in violent brawls.

Full story: http://www.chiangraitimes.com/thai-government-says-unruly-students-engaged-in-brawls-may-be-conscripted-into-military-service.html

-- Chiang Rai Times 2016-07-03

[MaxLee]

Well, unless your family is influential or well connected, so to speak...............

[baboon]

Do the army get any say in whether or not they want them? Hooligans running amok tooled up to the gills?

[ezzra]

No idle threats, do it, and the message will get through numb skulls, wishy washy statements, doesn't

perturbed those out of control hooligans from killing each other.........

Edited July 3, 2016 by ezzra

[phoenixdoglover]

This is a wonderful opportunity for the government to extend its human rights abuses.

It would be marginally acceptable if the government would speak in terms of: First, actually convicting brawling students of a serious crime, if one is committed, before, Second, forcing them into the Army.

In the US, the formula is usually: A young man, convicted of a Felony, is offered a choice of jail time, or a suspended sentence providing he joins the military. Door A or Door B?

[Dodgydownunder]

Then send them south and see how tough they really are.

[WhizBang]

Nice idea, but is it legal?

Never mind, I forgot, Mr. 'I make the rules' is in charge.

[Brer Fox]

I believe the idea is commendable. But I suspect like most things it is just PR waffle without action.

[jaltsc]

"Thailand’s Military Government the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is now considering whether they can blacklist unruly students and draft them into military service in another attempt to quell student violence."

Great idea!!! We see how well that strategy worked for the U.S. in Vietnam, where most of the civilian atrocities were committed by soldiers who were given the choice of going to prison or the military.

If they break the law and act like hard ass criminals, treat them as such....Hard time, Hard labor, In a prison setting.

Edited July 3, 2016 by jaltsc

[waldroj]

Certainly officer material!

And later, maybe politics?

[Bluespunk]

So take violent brawlers and turn them into trained killers?

Will they be any less violent at the end of their training?

Because if not...

[Artisi]

Do the army get any say in whether or not they want them? Hooligans running amok tooled up to the gills?

They can be kept well away from arms and combat training, plenty to do in the kitchen,digging latrines, mowing lawns, washing vehicles etc. etc. Knock some sense and responsibility into them, they stay there until straightened out.

[tuanku]

Then send them south and see how tough they really are.

Don't you think the Thai Muslim citizens of the Southern provinces already have enough reasons to want to leave the Kingdom?

[selftaopath]

Well, unless your family is influential or well connected, so to speak...............

This country seems interested in only one thing..and can be found many times in brown envelopes of some scam.

[tuanku]

A step towards reforming the Red Gaurs who performed so well for their masters in the Thammasat University massacre in 1976?

The Red Gaurs were ex-mercenaries and men discharged from the army for disciplinary infractions, while their followings were mainly composed of unemployed vocational school graduates, high-school dropouts, unemployed street corner boys, slum toughs and so forth.^[40] They were essentially a motley group of hooligans and thugs who were not recruited primarily on the basis of ideological commitment but rather by promises of high pay, abundant liquor and brothel privilege and the lure of public notoriety.^[41] ................. In the early 1970s, they found themselves in dire economic straits, unable to obtain employment and thus were easy targets for the anti-(successful) student and anti-worker propaganda.^[42] Their grievances were thus exploited by the state..........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thammasat_University_massacre

Edited July 3, 2016 by tuanku

[Johnniey]

A step towards reforming the Red Gaurs who performed so well for their masters in the Thammasat University massacre in 1976?

The Red Gaurs were ex-mercenaries and men discharged from the army for disciplinary infractions, while their followings were mainly composed of unemployed vocational school graduates, high-school dropouts, unemployed street corner boys, slum toughs and so forth.^[40] They were essentially a motley group of hooligans and thugs who were not recruited primarily on the basis of ideological commitment but rather by promises of high pay, abundant liquor and brothel privilege and the lure of public notoriety.^[41] ................. In the early 1970s, they found themselves in dire economic straits, unable to obtain employment and thus were easy targets for the anti-(successful) student and anti-worker propaganda.^[42] Their grievances were thus exploited by the state..........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thammasat_University_massacre

Treading on dangerous ground here. The situation was very different then than now.

After the atrocities done by the Red Gaurs and the other vigilante groups, HM the King supported the the takeover by the NARC, which could be said to be the equivalent to the NCPO.

[phycokiller]

everything he says these days is maybe, such and such may be illegal etc, just odd

[metisdead]

Off topic posts have been removed.

[jesimps]

Nice idea, but is it legal?

Never mind, I forgot, Mr. 'I make the rules' is in charge.

Of course it's legal, under the present regime anything's legal. Unless of course you're on the red side.

Actually it's the first decent proposal I've heard from them.

[nev]

Excellent idea, round the gangs up and make them do 5 years national service and make men out of them.

[ChrisY1]

Do the army get any say in whether or not they want them? Hooligans running amok tooled up to the gills?

Prayut IS the army!

[TPI]

It looks like a great idea, most of the problem is that the students cant see anything in their future, poor now, no chance of improvement a hopeless life!! At least the military will give them a broader view on life in general and hopefully a little pride as well?

[little mary sunshine]

It's about time!!

[tuanku]

A step towards reforming the Red Gaurs who performed so well for their masters in the Thammasat University massacre in 1976?

The Red Gaurs were ex-mercenaries and men discharged from the army for disciplinary infractions, while their followings were mainly composed of unemployed vocational school graduates, high-school dropouts, unemployed street corner boys, slum toughs and so forth.^[40] They were essentially a motley group of hooligans and thugs who were not recruited primarily on the basis of ideological commitment but rather by promises of high pay, abundant liquor and brothel privilege and the lure of public notoriety.^[41] ................. In the early 1970s, they found themselves in dire economic straits, unable to obtain employment and thus were easy targets for the anti-(successful) student and anti-worker propaganda.^[42] Their grievances were thus exploited by the state..........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thammasat_University_massacre

Treading on dangerous ground here. The situation was very different then than now.

After the atrocities done by the Red Gaurs and the other vigilante groups, HM the King supported the the takeover by the NARC, which could be said to be the equivalent to the NCPO.

Obviously I can't and won't discuss the role of the Palace in events in 1976 on this forum. Those interested can inform themselves through the source above and others.

Different it may be but there are some significant similarities. Here are some;

The role of a Bogey Man hyped up by the elite for political purposes and for justification. In 1976 it was the Communists. in 2016 it is still Red

The suspension of civilian rule for military rule against the will of the majority of Thais. (in 1976 threatened and imminent, in 2016, de facto)

The retrospective legalisation of a coup and the granting of an amnesty to the coup makers (in 1976 it happened after the Thammasat massacre)

The high profile ordination of a prominent figure on the anti-democratic side to create the impression of support by the Sankha

The resistance being led by students, and them being the focus of suppression.

The role of the Press in stirring the pot

The use of Lese Majeste accusations to justify repression (and in 1976 at least, murder)

The recruitment/conscription of violent technical school students into the armed forces, if it happened, would just be another similarity.

Obviously, coming up to the 40th anniversary of a historical event, there are also significant differences and I would suggest the 70s were a much more violent time of war and conflict where it was easier to hide and evade responsibility than in 2016. One of the sad things about Thailand, though, in my opinion, is that few Thais know much about events like this, people generally are unable to spot parallels, and therefore less likely to be able to detect if history is repeating itself with tragic consequences for the Nation.

[sead]

As if there weren't enough bad guys enlisted into monkhood, now we going to fill up the army too.

[MockingJay]

4 years of forced labour would do them better than getting their hands on guns and being trained how to use them. This idea could backfire - literally!

Edited July 3, 2016 by MockingJay

[Graemej100]

Maybe one of the best things I've ever seen suggested by the current regime. These things work in more than 50% of the cases. 'Tough Love', and all that stuff, but there is a lot of evidence that some sort of hard discipline can change young men, and women, around. Go for it I say. Don't just talk about it. But they probably will.

Edited July 3, 2016 by Graemej100

[4evermaat]

This is a wonderful opportunity for the government to extend its human rights abuses.

It would be marginally acceptable if the government would speak in terms of: First, actually convicting brawling students of a serious crime, if one is committed, before, Second, forcing them into the Army.

In the US, the formula is usually: A young man, convicted of a Felony, is offered a choice of jail time, or a suspended sentence providing he joins the military. Door A or Door B?

Military recruitment in USA has changed radically since first becoming an all-volunteer force after Vietnam. A felony will disqualify you from enlisted service, unless it was a baby felony (before candidate was 18).

Even misdemeanors other than minor traffic tickets require moral waivers. Not easy to get. Every 10 people who attempt to join, about 7 are rejected. Medical and legal reasons.

________

Why would you want to serve next to a violent criminal? It would break down trust and morale.... especially a felony. Plus a liability issue if that person commits a crime and you knew they were a rapist, thief, etc?

Edited July 3, 2016 by 4evermaat

[Johnniey]

As if there weren't enough bad guys enlisted into monkhood, now we going to fill up the army too.

Very inappropriate post in very poor taste.

Just because certain news agencies pick up on bad monks doesn't mean there are lots of them.

Don't believe what you read.

[phoenixdoglover]

This is a wonderful opportunity for the government to extend its human rights abuses.

It would be marginally acceptable if the government would speak in terms of: First, actually convicting brawling students of a serious crime, if one is committed, before, Second, forcing them into the Army.

In the US, the formula is usually: A young man, convicted of a Felony, is offered a choice of jail time, or a suspended sentence providing he joins the military. Door A or Door B?

Military recruitment in USA has changed radically since first becoming an all-volunteer force after Vietnam. A felony will disqualify you from enlisted service, unless it was a baby felony (before candidate was 18).

Even misdemeanors other than minor traffic tickets require moral waivers. Not easy to get. Every 10 people who attempt to join, about 7 are rejected. Medical and legal reasons.

________

Why would you want to serve next to a violent criminal? It would break down trust and morale.... especially a felony. Plus a liability issue if that person commits a crime and you knew they were a rapist, thief, etc?

Thanks for the info. I agree with what you say regarding felons. I'm also aware of how much the US armed forces are looking for high quality volunteers. Considering the sophisticated weaponry and the more complex nature of conflicts, that makes a lot of sense.

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