Thread: Is Prayuth the best choice amid signs of Army rivalry?

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

“They both are suitable to lead the army. There is no influence from the political branch in the selection of the new army boss,” Gen Apichart said.

I guess the "political branch" is the junior partner in government but fair's fair. If the politicians leave the army to pick their own leaders shouldn't the army stop deciding who is allowed to be a political leader. In other words, don't hold coups and don't have political meetings to sway politicians at army HQ

Prayuth alters reshuffle list, source says
21/08/2010

Wants Lt Gen Yuthasilp as assistant army chief

Deputy army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is expected to become the next army commander-in-chief, has reportedly made a change to the army top brass reshuffle list.


Prayuth: Tipped as next army boss

It appears the 3rd Army chief, originally slated for promotion to assistant army chief, will miss out on the key post.

According to a military source, Gen Prayuth wants Yuthasilp Doichuen-ngam, the chief of the Army Air Defence Command, to become an assistant army commander.

At first, the post was thought to have been reserved for 3rd Army chief Thanongsak Apirakyothin. It is now likely Lt Gen Thanongsak will land the post of special adviser to the army instead.

Lt Gen Yuthasilp is a former Class 11 student at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and is very close to Gen Prayuth.

Earlier, army chief Anupong Paojinda, who will officially retire at the end of next month, wanted Lt Gen Thanongsak to be the assistant army chief because he hoped he would proceed with setting up the 7th Infantry Division in Chiang Mai.

Gen Anupong wanted to reward Lt Gen Thanongsak with the assistant army commander post for his role in handling the red shirts' political activities in the North.

If Gen Anupong had his way, Gen Prayuth, when he succeeds Gen Anupong, would not have an assistant army chief with close ties to him who can supervise logistics and weapons procurement. This is because 4th Army chief Lt Gen Pichet Wisaijon who will be made the other assistant army boss, is not specialised in logistics.

Therefore, Gen Prayuth selected Lt Gen Yuthasilp who used to work in the field of logistics and was a Class 11 friend of Lt Gen Thanongsak and Lt Gen Pichet.
Also, Lt Gen Thanongsak will reach retirement age in 2013 and he could be a competitor to Lt Gen Daopong Ratanasuwan, the deputy army chief-of-staff and a close friend of Gen Prayuth, who could be in line for the army chief's post if Gen Prayuth leaves as army commander before he is due to retire in 2014, the source said.

The source said Gen Prayuth had asked to change part of the reshuffle list that Gen Anupong had prepared before it was submitted to His Majesty the King for royal approval two weeks ago.

The source added that a member of Lt Gen Thanongsak's family has married a red shirt member in the North.However, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday denied any changes to the army top brass reshuffle list had been made.

bangkokpost.com

Originally Posted by Mid

Deputy army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is expected to become the next army commander-in-chief, has reportedly made a change to the army top brass reshuffle list.

These apparently little tinkerings with the promotions list can have more serious consequences further down the line. Those who have been disappointed in their aspirations often get together to plot revenge .

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Those who have been disappointed in their aspirations often get together to plot revenge .

No doubt Gen Prayuth is well aware of this and has made sure there will be no hard feelings.

Originally Posted by Mid

It is now likely Lt Gen Thanongsak will land the post of special adviser to the army instead.

A lucrative position to keep Thanongsak living a life of comfort.

Originally Posted by hazz

Originally Posted by sabang

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

Is being head of the army in Thailand anything to do whatsoever with defending the country?

Sure- they bravely had their arses kicked by tiny Laos in a border skirmish back in 1987/8.

So So true and where is the man the who lead the thai army this glorious defeat..... He's Chairman of PT, who's going to being the country to a new golden age next election apparently.

And to prove that old solders never die, didn't he leave the country just before the shit it the fan on may 19th?... running away,clearly, some habits never die

Laos didn't really win, the Thais fragged their own units by mistake. Not really
Chavalit's fault.

Originally Posted by Mordechai

Originally Posted by hazz

Originally Posted by sabang

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

Is being head of the army in Thailand anything to do whatsoever with defending the country?

Sure- they bravely had their arses kicked by tiny Laos in a border skirmish back in 1987/8.

So So true and where is the man the who lead the thai army this glorious defeat..... He's Chairman of PT, who's going to being the country to a new golden age next election apparently.

And to prove that old solders never die, didn't he leave the country just before the shit it the fan on may 19th?... running away,clearly, some habits never die

Laos didn't really win, the Thais fragged their own units by mistake. Not really
Chavalit's fault.

If it were an isolated issue I could agree, but is was under his leadership that the thai government the government spent all its reserves supporting the Baht and lying about its currently reserves. when the truth came out its trigged the SEA crash of 1997. but then everyone blames soros for that one.

Sorry, but the Gen's for lots of form for being a walking disaster.

^^^

Who do you think deserved the greatest blame Banharn, Chavalit, or Chuan?

Humm. which of the three has had two bits at leadership and screwed the country on both occasions?

I know its very un-thai, but with leadership comes responsibility and sometimes you have should accept it.

Originally Posted by hazz

Humm. which of the three has had two bits at leadership and screwed the country on both occasions?

I know its very un-thai, but with leadership comes responsibility and sometimes you have should accept it.

That would be Chuan Leekpai . A Thai historian made this comment during his second administration.

Chuan's second government came under fire for the violent arrest of 223 villagers protesting thePak Mun dam. Respected historian Nidhi Iawsriwong noted that "the present situation is as worse as that of the May event (the bloody crackdown of anti-government protesters in 1992). We have a tyrannical government that is arrogant and not accountable to the public. This is dangerous because the government still sees itself as legitimate and claims that it is democratic. In fact, it is as brutal as the military government".



As for taking responsibility , I wonder if Abhisit understands that many Thais will always hold him responsible for the deaths incurred during the recent crackdown and that they will never be reconciled to his leadership.

Army?

An insult to the memory of real army men who gave their lives fighting for the freedom of these despots.

If only the clock could go back

Originally Posted by Mid

"Currently there are still all kinds of movements, such as secret meetings, that have made us more cautious," Mr. Abhisit said, justifying the emergency in 16 provinces, including Bangkok, though the decree has been lifted elsewhere in the country. "Signs of unrest remain, and efforts are being made to sow divisions," Defense Ministry Permanent Secretary, Gen. Apichart Penkitti, said on July 20, echoing Mr. Abhisit.

Any secret meeetings held are his and his cronies and they know all about sowing divisions.

And of course everyone expects there has to be an excuse NOT to hold elections soon because everyone knows they're gonna get voted out. That is of course if the vote isn't rigged or the Army don't hold another coup?

I wouldn't mind but he's a Northerner, a Bender and a Bloody Newcastle United supporter!

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1034306

PM Defends Army Post Reshuffle

UPDATE : 3 September 2010

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the reshuffle of the army was carried out according to protocol, while denying rumors of any hidden agenda of collusion between the government and the army.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the reshuffle of army posts, which named General Prayuth Chan-ocha as the next army chief, has been carried out according to the protocol, in hopes of moving the country forward according to government policies.

He insisted the appointment of General Prayuth Chan-ocha as the army chief is not a collusion between the government and the army.

He added that the government is not trying to delay the deliberation on an MoU of Thai-Cambodian joint border committee, and it has been included in the agenda. Abhisit also responded to the report that Cambodian PM Hun Sen has refused to discuss the border tension at the Asia-Europe Meeting or ASEM, saying that the talk can happen at the next ASEAN summit.

When asked by Pheu Thai MP for Chaiyaphum, Prasit Chaiwiratana, about unfair post appointments in the civil service, Abhisit said the post reshuffle in the civil service is carried out by the ministers and he, as the premier, will consider special cases in the reshuffle of posts between different ministries.

Regarding the post reshuffle in the police office, he added that he has proposed that more importance be given to seniority as a factor, and that the post reshuffle list should be made public.

However, he said these suggestions are open to criticism if they are not considered appropriate.

Thai Opposition Red Shirts Balk at New Army Chief
Robert Horn
Friday, Sep. 03, 2010


General Prayuth Chan-ocha looks on at a ceremony in Bangkok, Aug. 25, 2010
AP

Thailand's opposition movement expressed fears Friday over the appointment of General Prayuth Chan-ocha as the new commander of the Royal Thai Army, comparing the general to past military dictators and predicting he will be tougher on dissent. Prayuth's promotion, along with the appointment of a new national police chief, consolidates power in the security forces among officers with strong royalist views.

Thailand's elected Prime Minister is Abhisit Vejjajiva, but his imposition earlier this year of a state of emergency in response to protests by the opposition group known as the Red Shirts has shifted power over security affairs to the hands of a council that includes the army chief, police chief and prime minister. Though the state of emergency has been lifted in most parts of the country, many political gatherings have been banned and websites and community radio stations shut down. Local elections in Bangkok have smoothly proceeded, but there continue to be sporadic grenade attacks in the capital, with many pointing to the Red Shirts as the culprits.
(See pictures of the 2010 Red Shirt protests.)

The Thai King formally appointed Prayuth on Thursday to succeed his predecessor, who is retiring. Upon his promotion, Prayuth did little to allay the concerns of human-rights groups over the military's growing role. "As the political situation remains critical, the armed forces must take the lead in ensuring security and order for a longer period," Prayuth was quoted as saying on Friday by the Bangkok Post. He had pledged earlier to return the troops to the barracks, a standard bromide of Thai army chiefs to appease the public.

"The danger is that Prayuth will try to crush us, and in all likelihood, repression will increase," says Sean Boonpracong, a spokesman for the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). "He's a decisive commander in the style of the old field marshals," he says, referring to Thailand's past military dictators who brooked no opposition and were instrumental in restoring the monarchy to prominence in the 1950s and '60s.
(Watch a video from inside the Red Shirts' camps.)

Known as the Red Shirts for the color they wear, the UDD staged a two-month protest from March through May, occupying large areas of central Bangkok while demanding that the prime minister dissolve parliament and call new elections. The army dispersed the demonstrators on May 19. Red Shirts burned more than 30 buildings in the capital as they fled, while their supporters torched government buildings in several outlying provinces. During the two months of disturbances, 91 people were killed, including 11 soldiers, and about 2,000 were wounded. Several Red Shirt leaders have been arrested and the state of emergency is still in effect in Bangkok and a handful of provinces.

Prayuth commanded the May 19 operation to clear Bangkok of the protest camps, according to reports in the English-language Bangkok Post and the Nation, and had been pushing for tougher action against the Red Shirts since the protest began. His superior and mentor, army chief General Anupong Paochinda, was viewed as wanting to take a more cautious approach.

The widely expected promotion of Prayuth was formally approved by constitutional monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday as part of an annual reshuffle that saw 550 military officers promoted or transferred. Prayuth will take the reins on Oct. 1. That date will mark the retirement of General Anupong, the last actively serving member of the Council for National Security, a group of generals who staged the bloodless coup on Sept. 19, 2006, that ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Many Red Shirts still support Thaksin, who fled Thailand rather than serve a two-year prison sentence on a corruption conviction. One reason for the Red Shirts' rejection of an offer from Abhisit of early elections in exchange for ending their protest, according to several analysts, was that the proposed date for the polls in November would have still come after this week's military reshuffle. The Red Shirts, they say, wanted to gain power earlier to prevent Prayuth's promotion and install an army commander friendlier to Thaksin.

At the age of 56, Prayuth could remain as army chief for as long as four years before having to retire mandatorily at 60. Along with most of the generals appointed to top positions, he is a veteran of the Queen's Guard unit, as is the new chief of the Royal Thai Police, General Wichean Potephosree. The police were widely seen as sympathetic to Thaksin and the Red Shirts during the protests and were nicknamed "tomatoes" by the public. Factions of the military are also seen as still loyal to Thaksin, and some analysts have raised concerns that the apparent preference for placing power in the hands of officers from one particular unit and holding one particular political viewpoint will increase divisiveness within the military.

time.com

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

New army chief appointed BANGKOK, 2 September 2010 (NNT) General Prayuth Chan-ocha

An awful day for the country...

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

New army chief appointed BANGKOK, 2 September 2010 (NNT) General Prayuth Chan-ocha

An awful day for the country...

An inevitable consequence of the UDD occupation of central bangkok, I hope they are proud of themselves.

^ It has been planned for a good while, nothing to do with the reds, Hazz. More to do with some folks extreme superstitions, some natural events and the massive problems associated with...

Insane power at the highest level; things are gonna get a lot worse, IMHO.

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1034349

Govt Affirms Clean Military Reshuffle

UPDATE : 3 September 2010

A deputy prime minister insists the annual military reshuffle is not designed to reward soldiers for their role in the dispersal of the red-shirt protests and is also free from any political interference.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Suthep Thaugsuban stated the government has nothing to do with the shake-up in the armed forces.

He added that the reshuffle has no bearing on the government's remaining term in office.

Suthep insisted the reshuffle was based solely on military criteria and it was not meant to reward officers involved in the operations to dissolve the unlawful red-shirt protests in May.

The deputy premier declined to comment on the suggestion by People's Alliance for Democrat leader Sondhi Limthongkul of a possible chaos following the reshuffle.

Instead, he reiterated that it is the government's responsibility to maintain peace in the country.

Suthep believes officers disappointed with the military reshuffle will not retaliate by taking part in attempts to stir unrest in the capital. He also dismissed the rumor that a military coup is being planned.

In response to news reports on a planned assassination of Bhum Jai Thai Party de facto leader Newin Chidchob, the deputy premier said there is no need to assign state security officials to safeguard him.

According to Suthep, Newin himself has not asked for extra state protection.

He also said there will no general election in the near future although the procedures involving the military reshuffle and the 2011 Budget Bill have already been completed.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/o...-thai-politics

Gen Prayuth and the future of Thai politics

• Published: 23/09/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Within a week's time _ on Oct 1, to be precise _ Prayuth Chan-ocha will be officially taking the helm of the Royal Thai Army, as its 37th commander-in-chief.


His time has come: Having always been counted on to stand firmly behind his boss, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, left, will from Oct 1 be taking over from incumbent C-in-C Gen Anupong Paojinda, right.

Considering the situation, military insiders believe General Prayuth's tenure will see an even larger role for the army in politics than during the time when his predecessor Anupong Paojinda sat in the top military seat.

One factor could be the reality that the political situation remains unpredictable, with no clear direction as to how the many conflicts will be resolved.
Another is the almost daily bomb incidents either in Bangkok or the provinces.

With security issues remaining at the forefront, there is no question that military officers will continue to play a prominent role.

News about the mysterious disappearance of weapons, including 39 RPGs and thousands of rounds of M60 bullets from the army's depot in Lop Buri _ the fact that this information was even allowed to get out when the army could easily have suppressed it _ can be interpreted as a signal to the government not to rush to abolish the emergency decree, which is still in effect in Bangkok and a handful of outlying provinces.

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) is due to give a recommendation to the prime minister on whether the decree should be lifted and where, if at all.

While soldiers are aware that the missing weapons could very well have been stolen for resale _ weapons security is lax, with some units doing an inventory only once a month _ the army's bigwigs including General Anupong are worried that the RPGs could be used for terrorism.

During the past year, the RPG has been the weapon of choice in quite a few attacks including those on the Ministry of Defence and the military's oil depot.

A source revealed that what was most worrying was that such weapons could be used to attack armoured vehicles or VIP convoys.
The shaky political situation means Gen Prayuth must prepare himself to take a tough line and be decisive.
Those qualities are actually in line with the general's personality. If Gen Anupong's quiet and prudent nature makes him appear like water, then Gen Prayuth is more like fire.

The next army commander-in-chief is known as a no-nonsense man, a serious and hot-tempered person.

His fiery nature was evident during the military operation to contain the red shirts. Gen Prayuth has taken to task many unit commanders seen as vacillating on taking action against the protesters.

Even Kanit Sapitak, a close aide of Gen Prayuth, was not promoted to the "big five" positions in the army's leadership. He only got to be a full general with the title of special adviser because he was viewed as having not been tough enough during the red shirt operation despite the fact that Lt Gen Kanit is known as a dhamma-oriented soldier. According to sources, Gen Prayuth will follow three guidelines when he assumes his new responsibilities. First, soldiers must be professional. Second, they must serve the crown and protect the institution of the monarchy. Third, they must maintain national security.

It is said that Gen Prayuth's ideal soldiers are those who have a "purple heart" which shows their honesty, are "blue-blooded" in the sense of being absolutely loyal to the monarchy, and who stand unequivocally on the side opposite the red shirts.

"Watermelon" soldiers _ green on the outside but red within, meaning those wearing the green uniform but secretly rooting for the red shirts _ or even those maintaining a neutral stance, are not likely to get any big breaks under the leadership of the new commander.

With political prospects remaining shaky and hard to predict, one can only wait to see whether having a fiery new army commander in full control of the military will usher in an era of peace and stability.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

During the past year, the RPG has been the weapon of choice in quite a few attacks including those on the Ministry of Defence and the military's oil depot.

Where's TH?

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

First, soldiers must be professional. Second, they must serve the crown and protect the institution of the monarchy. Third, they must maintain national security.

Nothing about serving the nation then...

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"Watermelon" soldiers _ green on the outside but red within, meaning those wearing the green uniform but secretly rooting for the red shirts _ or even those maintaining a neutral stance, are not likely to get any big breaks under the leadership of the new commander.

Says a lot... Wouldn't want a neutral stance when you're sent in to shoot Thai civilians!

What a fukin awful state of affairs for the nation...

New Thai army chief takes helm with royal pledge
(AFP) – 1 day ago

BANGKOK — Thailand's powerful new military chief -- thought to take a hardline view of anti-government "Red Shirts" -- vowed to protect the country's monarchy in a ceremony Thursday to mark his appointment.

General Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who officially starts work on Friday, is the Thai army's 37th commander-in-chief and takes the helm at a crucial juncture for the country following the deadliest political unrest in decades.

"I am ready to govern my subordinates fairly and will strive to develop the army to be prepared to maintain Thailand's sovereignty and protect the monarchy," he told soldiers at army headquarters in Bangkok.

Thailand remains deeply divided after deadly April and May protests, while a recent string of grenade blasts in Bangkok and the brief return of thousands of Red Shirts to the streets have stoked fears of continuing political crisis.

Revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, seen by some Thais as a demigod, has been a stabilising force for the country but he turns 83 in December and has been hospitalised for a year.

Prayut, 56, is seen as a strong opponent of the Red movement, whose protests descended into clashes between demonstrators and troops that left 91 people dead, mostly civilians.

He is reported to have overseen the deadly military assault on the protesters' fortified encampment in the retail heart of Bangkok in May.

Prayut, who could serve up to four years, said he would carry on the policies of his predecessor, General Anupong Paojinda, whose three-year term saw four prime ministers govern in a period of turmoil in Thailand.

Both men were central to the 2006 coup that ousted tycoon-turned-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is hailed by the Reds for his policies for the masses but seen by the establishment as corrupt and a threat to the monarchy.

During the Red crisis, Anupong appeared reluctant to use force to disperse the demonstrators, calling for a political solution in a country that has seen 18 coups or attempted coups since 1932.

Anupong, who appeared at the ceremony to officially hand over power, said that while he had faced "several complicated missions" during his tenure, cooperation from the army had made "all of those missions a success".

google.com

Okay, here is a bet for you:

How long til this guy resides over a coup? He has coup written all over him... I'd say, less than a year. If he keeps his position for 3 years or more then I reckon that civilian governments will be 'in power' for less than 50% of his tenure.

Just my thoughts. Anobody agree, disagree?

^ Fair point.

To me, this guy just wants trouble, he wants to be in the history books.